Pieces

With a swerve, Rochester turned back to his mother and asked, "Does anyone know about this too?"

Eloise blinked once or twice. "Be specific when you ask your questions," she said.

"By anyone, I meant Mrs. Phellipe. Does she know?" Rochester asked his mother. "The other day she came by my room and said..."

Before Rochester could finish his line, Samantha shouted with eyes bulged out, "Richard! You!??"

"Surprise! SURPRISE!" Richard did a slight bow as some form of gesture to Samantha. Standing up, he said, "You did not expect to see me so soon, Love. Did I startle you then?"

"Yes, you did," Samantha said with a mild raise of her voice. "Get away from here, you have no business in this house."

Her voice was cold and her gait was swift. She padded across the floors, reached him, and put her hands flat on his belly. Attempting to push him outside, he held his place.

"I wonder if this is any way to treat your brother-in-law, Samantha."