''... Hazel.''
Rochester blanched at her talk. The girl before him was nothing less than a seemly bewitching damsel. But for her claims, Giselle had never mentioned having an estranged cousin anywhere in Aegremonth; where her Aunt Gertrude lives, and where he'd seen her a couple of times while she was at that town; neither did she say she had any relative apart from her mother who lives in this place(—Griffinwald, her hometown) along with her.
Rochester stopped to peruse his thoughts deeply. Although not exactly. All this time, he allowed his eyes to linger longer on this girl; Hazel, —this acclaimed cousin of Giselle's. A certain part of her body was causing his member to start a war beneath his pants. Her shooting watermelons teased his eyeballs and to him; this subtle act of hers, which was aimed at seducing him; was a much welcomed distraction.
Rochester swallowed hard.
''Hazel, you said. Is that correct?''
''Yes. I am Hazel.'' Louisa re-stated more boldly now.
''I am sorry, gorgeous. But Giselle never for once mentioned a name like that to me. She didn't also say she'd any relative here either. None except for her mother.''
''But you couldn't have known boss.'' Simon jumped in on his words. ''Remember that you two; I mean Giselle and you didn't get to see yourselves that often and then that man, Ezekiel who got in the way and-''
''That is enough, Simon!'' Rochester frowned at his busybody of a Butler. Simon cringed from feeling the heat of his boss's gaze.
Louisa was watchful.
''Next time, speak only when you are asked. Do you understand your place, Sir?''
His tone was brash showing how he was a man with the likeness of having a quick temper. Louisa quickly fit in the dots and reasoned fast.
She pulled forward and wet her lips to speak up.
''You know, Sir. Giselle also told me how you have a rather quick temper.'' She then lowered her eyes to say, ''I see now that she has a point.''
What point?
The man's brows got creased together. Then his face twitched beautifully and he smiled.
''I don't believe that my darling Giselle could ever say such an unkind thing to you about me.'' Rochester told her flatly.
''But she did say.''
''No. She did not.'' He countered the girl's talk while arranging himself carefully on his seat.
Glaring at her, he saw her frown and decided to cough. ''Ahem, my sweet girl. You shouldn't believe everything she says to you. Sometimes my dearest is not particularly in a good mood.''
''Oh, I see.'' Louisa answered back. ''But I have a problem with you just now.''
''Problem? What problem?''
His eyebrows knitted as one.
Even Simon was studying the girl with his side glances now.
''It is good that you asked.'' Louisa spoke. ''By my inclination I see you as a man that cannot be trusted.''
Rochester's mouth dropped wide open.
''Me? Not trustworthy?''
''I am afraid so.''
''What could make you say a thing like that?'' Rochester asked.
''That one is very simple.'' Louisa said amid pitching her nose upfront as if she had imaginary spectacles hanging on the bridge of her nose.
Rochester was eagerly waiting.
''Well...'' She stalled on purpose. ''You just now directly assumed that I had lied to you about my place in Giselle's life.''
''Lied? When did I say that?''
''You did so. Just now, Sir.''
She then turned to look at Simon who nodded a positive response as well for his boss to see.
''Bloody cunt!'' Rochester cursed at him through gritted teeth. ''Whose side are you on, anyway?'' He mellowed his voice by now, ''I merely asked her a question.''
''Well to answer that; Yes, I am Giselle's cousin and between the hour of 5 and 6 this evening, I'll go over to her house to have a talk with her.''
She sounded pretty confident and Rochester's orbs lit up.
''But.'' She stopped.
''But what?'' Rochester pressed. ''Would you not be kind enough to take me to her?''
''I will do nothing so utterly foolish!''
''I beg your pardon!''
Rochester frowned at her misbehaviour that did not impress him one bit. He then settled to speak. ''How much?''
Louisa arched her brows at him.
''What do you mean?''
''I just asked, how much.'' Rochester repeated. ''How much should I pay for you to show me her home.''
Was he ever so pompous and arrogant?
''Pardon, Sir. But what are you implying by such nonsense?''
''Nonsense!'' Rochester softened his voice, ''I think it's best you told me your price so we can get this little business of ours over with. Once and for all.''
Louisa sneered at the man. Was he so stupid? Even if she didn't harbour any bitterness in her heart toward Giselle, was he thinking she would be dumb enough to let him go to her so simply?
Impossible!
He was such a proud, well-aware, broad chested, fine Englishman. To top it off, he was rich. Hell no! He looked truly expensive. He's got to be mad to expect that if she were truly Giselle's cousin, that she wouldn't first try out her chance with him.
''Why do you even want to find Giselle so badly?''
The words popped out of her mouth without restraint.
Rochester smiled simply.
''Hazel. Do you really not know why I am this eager to find her?''
The girl shook her head.
''No?'' The man was startled. ''Do you really not know? Well, my dear, the reason is simple; She is the person I intend to make as my bride. I already have her aunt's blessings.''
''Which aunt?''
Rochester got taken aback by her stunned expression.
''You don't know her Aunt Sparrowbean who lives in Aegremonth?''
Louisa's brows still furrowed in shock.
''Are you sure you're related to my Giselle? Because how don't you know about her Aunt Gertrude.''
''Oh… '' Louisa exclaimed. ''I know her. Very well in fact! If you really wish to know where her home is-''
''Yes. I want her close as much as the air that I breathe.''
'Over my dead body!' Louisa vowed in her heart.
She smiled gracefully and then said to him, ''I will take you to where you can be with her.''
''You will?''
Rochester pulled out from his seat.
''Of course.'' She told him. ''But I have one condition that'll permit me to do that… ''