The majority of the afternoon was spent at the Eshton's. Jane found the company of Anne very agreeable. Although she spoke frequently what she did say was meaningful and honest. When a butler entered the room in the late afternoon to inform Jane of her carriage arriving, Anne walked Jane to the door where they found their husbands laughing and talking heartily together.

"Edward for goodness sake, do not stay away so long this time. I have not laughed so in ages"

"No, of course we shall not. Next time you shall come to our home, if you wish".

Anne beamed at Jane who smiled back.

"It has been so wonderful meeting you Anne, I do hope I shall see you soon".

Anne nodded firmly, "Of course you will".

After final goodbye's and thank you's, the Rochester's entered their carriage and started for home, Jane turning to see Mr Eshton reenter the house while his wife stood waving.

. . .

"Tell me Jane" Edward said immediately "How was your company this afternoon?"

"My tea was lovely. Anne is a extensive talker, she loves expressing what she thinks and feels"

"And you, Ms Jane, love to absorb the emotions and thoughts of others far more than you like to speak, thus I can imagine you to be a good pair" he said, wisely.

Jane smiled "She is very pleasant, it would be hard to dislike Ms Eshton".

Edward's face twisted into a mild concern at her words, he was clearly thinking on what she had just said.

"I was wondering after you all afternoon, for I am afraid Mr Eshton was not gushing sentiments of his new wife"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Mr Eshton being a true man of science has always been eager to show off a new finding, whether that be a plant, an animal, or a person. He carries a certain pride with him in what he studies and what he keeps around him. He loves to showcase, and yet his wife he spoke very little of, and what he did say was slightly out of sorts".

Jane felt a small pang of sadness, but entreated him to continue in his explanation.

"He asked me of married life, of course. And I spoke of you as I always have, as my closest companion, and the greatest force of love-"

"You told him before we were married I was your closest companion?" Jane asked.

"Well", he said, slowly "I am afraid he did know extensively of my fondness for you, certainly on an intellectual and emotional level".

Jane smiled, touched.

"As I was saying, I spoke of you in the way I feel for you- with endless love. He seemed almost amazed at my depth of sentiment. When I asked him of his married life he said he was very happy, and that it suited him. Yet when he described Ms Eshton he said she was young in the ability to become overexcited over small matters and depended on him for entertainment, for she does not like existing alone. Indeed I was surprised at this slight coldness from a greatly impassioned man. He did not need to marry, certainly not at his young age. And thus it was for love that he did, and yet I cannot say I saw it from him".

Jane reflected on his words, on the reality of the situation. It was true, they had married fast, without hardly knowing each other. She told Jane they were still learning each other- it must have felt incredibly isolating.

"I do not know that Anne fully knew the man she was marrying. She told me that they married quickly, that she felt there was a certain amount of pressure from his family for him to settle down-to stop roaming the globe and to get married instead. Perhaps she did not realize what a man of science Mr Eshton is, and how devoted he is to his studies. Despite his easy, agreeable nature, he would not sacrifice his work, even for a wife".

"No, you are quite right. So she felt the same way towards him then?"

"No, I believe her to be very much in love with him. She spoke of him often, and with great admiration. But it was clear her idealized image of marriage had been molded into a more mundane version of everyday life. She did not say so much to me, but it was in her tone and her looks. But perhaps-"

"What Jane?"

"Perhaps I have been spoiled and I look on marriage differently than most. For surely happiness for one cannot serve as happiness for all. Afterall, who could believe a blind blunderer twice my age with an unstable temper could make me the happiest person on this earth".

Edward scorned Jane for such characterizing features before his face softened and he kissed her forehead sweetly.

"Who could believe this young woman could be my torturer and yet strongest force of love".

Jane laughed at him, putting her head on his shoulder comfortably. She did not want to be anywhere else. She felt protected, safe, cherished. It was his smell, the feel of his strong form, his breathing. It was all hers. This was home.