"The Widow" Bertha

Not long after, a dock somewhere in London.

"Miss Eyre, I'll take the luggage on board first."

"Go."

Bertha and Jane watched the unfamiliar maid leave at the same time, and then Bertha raised the corners of her lips: "You're pretty nimble."

Jane: "Mr. Briggs is very well connected."

Mr. Briggs, the lawyer, is very efficient, and Mr. Love, who is far away in Madeira Islands, is eager to find relatives. Almost a few days after Miss Jane Eyre showed Bertha the letter of seeking relatives, the uncle who is far away A letter was sent, and he had to ask his housekeeper to go back to London to pick Jane up to go abroad in person.

But Miss Jane Eyre cannot wait!

So Mr. Briggs thought of a compromise on his behalf: instead of Mr. Eyre, he invited a maid to accompany Jane on the road.

"Mr. Lawyer said that the maid Laura once went to Egypt and India with her previous employer," Jane explained, "She has a lot of experience going abroad, and she can help me on the way."

"That's not bad," Bertha nodded with satisfaction. "This is the first time you've left England."

"It's also my first time on a boat."

After all, Miss Jane Eyre did not flinch at all when she thought of the sea and foreign lands she had never seen before. Instead, she was very excited, and her usually bright eyes seemed to be hidden in stars at this time.

"Thank you, Bertha," Jane raised her head slightly, meeting Bertha's dark golden eyes, "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have taken that step to leave Thornfield Manor."

Not necessarily.

Without her, Miss Jane Eyre in the original book still resolutely left. This is enough to prove that the petite and pale girl in front of her looks docile, but in fact she has a tougher nature than anyone else in her heart.

Speaking of Dali, in fact, Bertha felt that every woman in the nineteenth century lived in such a manor.What they show to outsiders is the repressed, obedient and introverted tutor Miss Jane Eyre, but in the attic where the sun is out, they lock up their passion and rebellious spirit that belong to human instinct.

Miss Jane Eyre is an example, and isn't Mrs. Ward--Lady Amelie Gray?

Mycroft said that the bird in the cage envied the goshawk, and now it was once imprisoned in Thornfield Manor, and finally broke through the cage and flew to the sky of its own.

"There are many people who know me," Bertha said frankly, "and not everyone has found their own way. My dear, having a life goal is your own credit, not someone else's."

"Not only did I find my purpose, I also found my loved ones."

Jane sincerely wished: "I also hope that you can recognize your relatives, Bertha."

Bertha: "..."

That's right, Jane also met Richard Mason, it's just... This is really a pot that can't be opened.

But Bertha would not turn against Jane, she was thinking of herself from the bottom of her heart.

"Okay," Bertha teased lazily, "It's the same as thinking about friends when you find your relatives. You are so kind, Miss Love. Then I have a fiance, how about you?"

"you--"

Jane was choked heavily, and then laughed out loud.

The two were silent for a moment, as if they were waiting for something, or someone else.When the hustle and bustle made the atmosphere a little lonely, Miss Jane Eyre sighed imperceptibly: "I'll be leaving first, Bertha, see you in a few months."

that's it?

Bertha didn't answer, but looked sideways to the back of the pier.

The wharf was crowded with workers and tourists. They stopped for a while, and then saw the farewell person that Miss Jane Eyre had been silently waiting for among the crowd.

Edward Rochester took a deep breath, and finally made up his mind to take a step forward.

Bertha curled her lips, "Then I'll go first, Jane."

Jane: "You can—"

Bertha: "You don't mind, Edward is going to kill me afterwards."

simple:"……"

What more can she say?

Miss Jane Eyre, who was about to leave England, could only bid farewell to her friends, and then stood in place to welcome Mr. Rochester who came straight towards her.

And Edward Rochester is more complicated than Miss Jane Eyre.

During this period of time, he had more correspondence with Jane Eyre than meeting him.Despite the unhappiness at the beginning, after seeing Jane Eyre give a public lecture in a pharmacy, Rochester and his sweetheart have always maintained a "pen pal" contact.

In fact, it's even better.

Written words are always more profound and concise than spoken words. Rochester is not only satisfied that Miss Jane Eyre maintains a bold and sensitive character as always, but also is often surprised that there is so much power in her thin and pale body.

Unlike Bertha, who could barely be called "friends" after the fact of their marriage, Rochester was often troubled by his ex-wife's harsh personality and aggressive attitude.

Miss Jane Eyre will show great respect to everyone she knows and is determined not to criticize them with any secular moral eyes, including Rochester.

She... respected him, and Rochester was naturally willing to pay the same respect.

only……

"you are leaving."

Stopping in front of Jane Eyre, the man at this moment was full of thoughts, and finally said such a sentence dryly.

Jane lowered her head: "I'm not leaving permanently, sir, I'm just going abroad to visit relatives, and I'll be back in a few months."

Rochester laughed a few times.

"How many months?"

His tone was marked with self-mockery: "What is so good about London, a smoky city? How can it compare to Madeira Islands, which has excellent natural scenery and relatives? Why do you come back, Miss Eyre?"

"gentlemen--"

"Congratulations on finding your loved one."

"gentlemen."

Jane's expression was unexpectedly gentle, and her eyes were shining: "You don't want me to leave, do you?"

Rochester: "..."

He was silent for a long time, and then chose to face each other calmly.

"Yes," Rochester said with difficulty, "I don't want you to leave. Even if you go to Liverpool or Birmingham, as long as you are in England, at least there is a chance to meet each other. The Madeira Islands are really too far—but that So what? No matter how much I think about it, there is no reason to prevent you from recognizing your uncle."

"You don't want me to go because you want to see me."

"Yes, Miss Eyre, I want you to stay here, stay with me, forever and ever... stay by my side."

After Rochester's words fell to the ground, Miss Jane Eyre laughed softly.

"I am at ease with your words, sir," she said earnestly, "I assure you that I will come back. I will pray for you in Madeira and introduce you to my uncle .”

"you……"

Introduced to her uncle?

If Rochester can't understand Miss Jane Eyre's hint, then he is a few years older than Miss Jane Eyre.The man's eyes widened slightly, and he looked at Miss Jane Eyre in shock, as if he wanted to find some traces of his mistake in her face, but there was nothing, nothing!

Jane looked directly into his eyes so boldly, and gave Rochester a bright smile.

"Thank you for your support and understanding, sir," she laughed. "See you in a few months."

——After that, Rochester's mind went blank.

He hardly remembered how he replied and how he said goodbye to Miss Jane Eyre.

When he came back to his senses, the passenger boat at the pier had already left slowly, sailing towards the distance of the Thames.

"Hey, are you so lost?"

Then a familiar female voice sounded behind her, and Bertha walked over with her skirt in her hands: "It's only been a few months? It's scary to fall in love."

Rochester pursed his lips, but did not speak.

Bertha: "Actually, you can go to her? Madeira Islands is a good place, if I can't get away, I would like to go on vacation. You have worked hard all year, take a break and go to the place where your friends are. Is it reasonable to go shopping?"

Rochester: "..."

Bertha: "Don't forget to pay back the money even in the new year, Edward."

Rochester: "..."

No matter how sad and melancholy they are, this woman can interrupt and send them back!Just now he was in a complicated mood because of the departure of his sweetheart, and with Bertha's suggestion, Rochester really lost the slightest bit of energy.

"You," he said with a sudden headache, "Bertha Mason, you are so annoying!"

Bertha laughed wantonly: "Bertha Mason? Who is that?"

And he's absolutely thrilled!Bertha will bet ten pounds that the fellow will soon be tempted to go after his wife in Madeira!

***

Sending off Miss Jane Eyre was a signal for deployment.

On the third night, in the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Mycroft asked as he untied his bow tie: "Scotland Yard will raid the office tonight. The reason is probably to search for stowaways, maybe because you and Gypsy The relationship between people is going well, are you ready?"

Bertha's hand that took the man's coat stopped suddenly.

"Get ready," she said helplessly, "if you remind me immediately, my office will not be far from closing down."

"of course."

Mycroft responded readily: "I'm just expressing concern, ma'am."

Bertha looked sideways at him, but didn't answer right away.Instead, he turned around and spread out a sixteen or seventeen-inch map from the desk.

What is drawn on it is the streets and alleys of the Whitechapel District.

Mycroft unbuttoned his shirt under the collar before walking unhurriedly to the desk.He glanced roughly, and then showed somewhat restrained surprise: "It's quite powerful, ma'am."

Being able to show the dignified Sherlock Holmes this kind of expression is enough to prove that this map is indeed of some standard.

——Because the map is completely hand-drawn, the amount of information is sufficient.It identifies the ownership of each street, the name of each shop, and even the hiding spots in the alleys, the resting places where coachmen and newsboys often stay, concise and clear.

"Ned did it," said Bertha proudly. "It took the little accountant a lot of time."

"I'm almost envious," Mycroft said with a sigh, "Three teachings and nine schools, the most important thing to be underestimated, the poor often hide dragons and crouching tigers."

"I just like how talkative you are, honey."

Bertha hooked her mouth, and then her slender fingers landed on the intersection of the two gangs on the west side of the map: "We are going to lure people from Scotland Yard here."

"False rumors that you are fighting with other gangs?"

"Yes."

She leaned against the desk and smiled softly: "Think about it, what would it be like if Scotland Yard broke into the office with a large number of people, only to find that there was no one there? After asking again, it turned out that Mrs. Thames' boy went to talk to Bai The Pigeon Gang thugs got into a fight, but any inspector would slap his thigh and think it was a good thing."

"With one operation, you can catch the handles of two gangs. Naturally, it's too late to be happy."

"And this time the Truth Society got in the way of getting the police to come to our door, because it heard the news that I and Lambert's gang were fighting."

"Indeed."

"What about Lambert, he wants to take advantage of the chaos to take down the territory in the west, and get some advantage from me by the way. Coincidentally, I think so too," she said with a smile, "So as soon as the sun went down today, Thomas took people to ambush him. .As soon as people from Scotland Yard show up, they will definitely jump on them immediately—surrender.

The police went to check the stowaways in a surprise attack?Well, anyone in Whitechapel has no idea where the real stowaway is.Just to the west there is such a nest of rebellious people, with a few scattered gangs of thieves and robbers.Mrs. Thames just planned to attack them, and it turned out that Scotland Yard planned to do the same, so it just served the government.

At this time, Lambert's people arrived one step later, with no eyesight on their swords and guns. It was the police's fault and not Thomas's fault that they were injured. "

Scotland Yard was on the lookout for gangs, not always for coachmen and newsboys.Mickey, the coachman, brought a message early in the morning, and it was Inspector Lestrade who took the lead in raiding the Thames Office tonight.

That is, the kind-hearted and upright good policeman in "The Collection of Sherlock Holmes".

Since it is him, it is enough to prove that the Truth Society is secretly using its relationship to stir up trouble, and maybe it is trying to divert hatred, so that Mrs. Thames can bear the grudge against Inspector Lestrade, so that they have nothing to do.

But Bertha certainly did not hold a grudge against a good man.

Not only did she not hold grudges, but she wanted to help the detective beat Lambert Byrne.

When the refugees and stowaways are driven out and the streets are cleared, Thomas Thames and Mrs. Thames are just enthusiastic citizens, covering up crimes?It's just a misunderstanding!

"When the time comes, the inspector will receive his meritorious service, and the Whitechapel area will be at peace. Everyone will be happy."

As for the Truth Society?If you want Scotland Yard to act, you have to use layers of relationships.And it was this moment that Mycroft Holmes had been waiting for.

The action at night belongs to Bertha, and when the sun rises in the daytime, it is the big devil with unknown business who will be held accountable.

Wouldn't it be beautiful to kill three birds with one stone?

Thinking of Inspector Lestrade's possible expression when he saw Thomas, Bertha was in a beautiful mood, and she said viciously: "That's my plan, it's beautiful, Mike, as long as you don't trouble me .”

"Well, it does sound feasible."

Mycroft nodded in a serious manner: "As for making trouble for you...you mean your hiding guns, gathering crowds to fight, and even secretly running a gang of thieves?"

Bertha: "..."

Mycroft: "Never mind, I have no proof."

Well, there is no evidence, as if there are things in this world that Mycroft Holmes cannot find evidence for.

Bertha just kept smiling and continued, "Now...it's about time."

Mycroft understood Bertha at once.

The man standing on the other side of the desk turned his head in surprise: "This time you have to do it yourself."

Bertha responded naturally: "Of course, I am the boss of the firm. How can I always hide behind the boy?"

In terms of fighting, she really can't, even if she can, a woman is far inferior to a man in the face of conflict.But as the leader of the gang, Bertha naturally wanted to sit in the rear to stabilize the morale of the army for such a big matter.

Have you never seen a general who fights on the front line and hides behind and does not show up?

"Inspector Lestrade met Miss Marple." Mycroft kindly reminded.

"I remember," Bertha did not forget, "actually I planned to meet Lambert Byrne. As for Inspector Lestrade, he knows Thomas anyway, so let Thomas deal with him."

"..."

"Don't look like that, dear."

Bertha smiled and stretched out her hand: "It is because of his rude words that I have to teach him a lesson myself."

Xiao thinks she looks like on the bed?Bertha didn't mind if a man showed desire to her, but that would depend on who it was.

The Jamaican girl showed a rare gentleness, and gently adjusted the unbuttoned collar of the gentleman in front of her.Then she slightly exerted force on the palm resting on Mycroft's chest, which could be regarded as a rough push on the man: "So, honey, I'm going to change clothes, please avoid it?"

After coming to the nineteenth century, Bertha never went out late at night.

The Victorian night out sounds exciting.Bertha was eager to do something—she specially put on a smock with the widest skirt, and then put on tight breeches and boots made of muslin inside. This is the nineteenth century. time attire.

As a modern person, Bertha is naturally dissatisfied with having to wear skirts when she goes out for activities. She specially ordered the maid Grace to choose such a hard material to make such a skirt, so that when she runs, she only needs to pick up the skirt. All the boots can be exposed by swinging, lest one accidentally step on oneself.

In addition, Bertha also took out a Uzi steel machete from the drawer.

As soon as she exerted her strength, the cold light came out of the sheath, and the strange pattern on the knife glistened against the leather sheath.

This knife belonged to Mycroft. He kept it in a desk drawer, probably as a backup weapon—he wasn't the only one who knew how to search a room, did he?

Bertha took out the scimitar carelessly and hung it on her waist.

After everything was ready, she casually unwrapped her bun: "Come in, dear."

***

This is what Mycroft saw when he entered the door: a tall girl in the moonlight was dressed in a horse riding costume, and a leather dagger was tied around her waist with a Damascus machete with Persian patterns, and the handle was slanted to the abdomen. , so that she can extract self-defense immediately.

She let her long hair loose, and then pulled it back up again. With the thick black hair curled inch by inch at the back of her head, Bertha's swan-like nape was exposed, outlining a beautiful curve in the darkness.

It can be said that there is an almost dangerous arrogance from head to toe.

Sensing the man's gaze, Bertha turned her head: "What?"

Mycroft leaned against the door frame and smiled gently: "It's nothing, Madam is admirable for doing it herself, I wish you success soon."

Bertha smiled.

She stepped forward, and her boots made a "knock" sound on the wooden floor.Bertha stopped beside Mycroft, her hoarse voice lowered: "Won't you tell me to be more careful?"

"Worry is nothing to worry about."

Mycroft replied seriously: "But it would be a great disrespect to underestimate you because of this."

Bertha was not reluctant: "What other expressions?"

Mycroft: "What does the lady want to express?"

Ask knowingly.

Bertha did not speak much, but used actions instead of words.

She took another half step forward, killing the final distance between the two.

It wasn't the first time Bertha had flirted with Mycroft, or kissed him in a hasty gesture.Her motive was straightforward: just ask for a blessing kiss, it's as simple as that.

The lips touch the lips, but it is only a moment.

Then Bertha moved away, and she raised her hand and wiped the corner of her mouth, intending to leave——

The next moment, a strong hand grasped her waist.

The man's strength was almost ruthless, and he pulled back the girl who turned ruthlessly.This force and inertia made Bertha almost crash into Mycroft's broad chest, and his other hand climbed onto her back.

Another kiss.

The palms are clasped tightly, the lips and teeth meet, all the distance disappears, and his siege and plunder is gentle but merciless.The smell of rose rose between the two of them, squeezed into the man's lung cavity with contact, and he could even use other senses to touch this breath—savage and hot, like fire and like death.

There is no distance between them, the Uzi steel scimitar on Bertha's waist is the only thing lying across it, the girl in her arms can draw out the scimitar at any time and end his life with a cold weapon, but this does not threaten the man, he Even because of this, I felt an unprecedented excitement.

To be alive, to belong to the excitement of life.

The cloth rubbed and rustled, and the door panel behind him was "creaked and creaked".

When the kiss was over, even Holmes was out of breath.

It took Bertha a long time to calm down her heartbeat. She raised her eyes to look at the face close at hand. Mycroft's sharp eyes were almost deep in the darkness, and the only thing among them was her blurred reflection.

"Such a conscientious blessing kiss," Bertha licked the corner of her mouth, "it's beyond my expectation, dear."

"Come back intact."

Mycroft whispered in her ear, "Otherwise..."

Bertha: "Otherwise?"

The man laughed lowly, it was a rare time for him to indulge, let his emotions overwhelm his reason, and put his head intoxicated on the side of Bertha's neck and sniffed lightly.

He could even feel the beating rhythm of her aorta, and with the blood, the smell of roses became stronger.

Mycroft hoped the smell would stay firmly in his memory.

"Otherwise," he said, "someone will be in trouble."