All characters and references to the original plot of Jane Eyre belong to the genius of Charlotte Bronte. I am only borrowing.

The coach was later than usually, but Alice Fairfax was thankful for it. She had seen over forty years of her life pass at Thornfield Hall and she had little desire to leave now, with master in such trouble– trouble and danger that he would not admit to himself.

He had barely acknowledged her when she came to him a few nights ago requesting leave to tend to her sister in ------shire, suffering from her husband's recent death. Her simple inquiry was met only with a curt nod of the head and a barked request for more brandy. He had drained the bottle again the previous night and would drink himself into a slumber by the dying fire that night as well, waking with the early morning hours when the ashes grew cold to saddle his horse and ride through the moors, searching for her.

He did not speak of her except in dreams. Alice had always been a heavy sleeper, but since the wedding and the unmasking of the "ghost of Thornfield", she had found it hard to sleep unmolested, awakening often in the early morning hours to the master's anguished cries of "Jane! Jane! Jane!"

Despite the fragile friendship she had formed with the young governess, and the good she had done both for the master and for Adele – who had been sent to school mere days after the ill-fated wedding – Alice Fairfax almost wished Jane Eyre had never crossed the threshold of Thornfield Hall, because then she would have never had to leave. The housekeeper knew why Jane had to leave.

Alice had known something of the master's past indiscretions – the mistresses scattered in lavish hotels across Europe, kept in riches and style, and then discarded. After she first learned of Miss Eyre's and the master's impending marriage, she had worried for Jane and tried to warn her. She was so young, but would hear nothing of their differences in age and experience.

But for the master to keep a wife – a lunatic, but a wife nonetheless, bound the laws of holy matrimony – and still attempt to marry another was something Alice Fairfax had never suspected Mr. Rochester to be capable of. The scheme was more characteristic of his late elder brother or father, than of the sensitive, passionate younger son. In all her years caring for the family, she had always felt a strong affinity towards the youngest Rochester. But now she had never been so ashamed for her good master – and astonished that he would go to such horrific lengths to keep Miss Eyre. He was truly a man bewitched; as mad as his imprisoned wife.

Grace Poole remained to care for the unfortunate Mrs. Rochester. It seemed a strange nightmare that such a woman – more creature than human – could carry the Rochester name and be the mistress of Thornfield. Alice had always thought Grace to be an odd, singular sort of person and often quietly wondered why the master kept her around – but it wasn't her place to question. Now she was grateful for Grace's presence, no matter what her predilection for drink. Alice doubted she could care for both Bertha and the master, rapidly spiraling into his own form of insanity. She felt guilty, but was glad to not to have that millstone round her neck.

The coach arrived and she slowly climbed in, age betraying her knees as the man loaded her trunk. Despite her troubles, she was sorry to leave Thornfield, she thought, as the coach started and she watched the stately hall shrink into miniature.

But the Thornfield she had called home had left some weeks ago, along with a certain governess.

She almost fancied she saw Jane's small, cloaked form walking down Hay Lane as they passed – but then, she was old and the Hall's nightmares were enough to entice visions from the soundest of minds.