Mr Rochester was tied up in meetings all morning long. Jane, wanting to be useful and seeking some easy company entered the kitchens to peel some apples or potatoes for the supper that night. The servants were now used to Jane helping out around, and in truth they did not seem to mind.
"Good morning Ms Rochester" the group of women said as she entered the kitchens.
"Good morning all, how are you?"
"Well miss"
"You look better then well Jenny, you are simply beaming this morning" Jane said, turning towards a particular girl in the group.
"Yes miss, for I am an engaged woman"
"Oh Jenny! congratulations" Jane said happily, approaching her. Jenny flashed her the ring that was now on her left hand, it had a gold band with a small opal in the middle.
"Oh Jenny, it is so beautiful'
'Aye miss, is it not?
"And who is the lucky man?"
"Mr Campbell"
"I am afraid I do not know him"
"You wouldn't miss" she said hastily "He works in town, he is a cooper there. We are both busy, and so we see each other little. But last night he proposed"
"How long have you known him?"
"Must be two months"
"Indeed! it must have been a surprise then when he asked the question then"
"Well no ma'am. I knew soon as I lay eyes on him that he was going to be mine. You do not need to know each other long to know you are in love".
"No, of course. Excuse me, I spoke hastily. I did not mean to imply the short length of time you have known him is a bad thing".
"No miss, I did not think you were being cruel. We are engaged to quickly because, you see-" she stopped abruptly, but continued. "I am pregnant"
Almost immediately Jenny looked remorseful at what she had said. The girls around her shot her warning looks, as if she had been out of line to mention this to her employer. If she wanted to keep her job as a respectable woman she had spoken out of turn, for such a statement could have cost her a job. As she began to speak frantically in explanation Jane smiled kindly.
"If such is the case, it is even a more wonderful thing you are marrying. You shall have a child together! and that is a special thing for a man and woman to share".
A a look of relief spread across Jenny's face, "Well perhaps it is not the way I imagined it happening, but that is all that can be said now. I am happy, Mr Campbell is happy, so all is well".
"Exactly" Jane said, "As I am sure you girls know, I did not have a conventional route to marriage", the other girls shared knowing looks, "But I did not let that stop my happiness"
Emma, another of the kitchen workers smiled happily as she spoke, "Oh Ms Rochester, it does not matter how you came to be. I do not know that I have ever seen a married couple so in love. My uncle and aunt married at 18 and they had no love in their marriage, seeing as I had no parents to reference I was sure all marriages are similar to that. But Mr Rochester treats you with so much care, and so much kindness, it makes me think I will find a man like that".
Jane blushed deeply as Ms Jennings rounded the corner
'Ms Rochester, Mr Rochester is looking for you"
"Tell him I shall come directly".
Jane turned back to the girls in the kitchen, laying her basket of peeled apples back on the table.
"I shall catch up with you later" she said, smiling at them all.
"Goodbye Ms Rochester, thank you for the help".
. . .
Mr Rochester was in the hall, pacing back and forth energetically.
"Sir, how may I assist you?" Jane asked, her hands held behind her back, advancing slowly towards him.
He moved towards her, a sweet smirk on his face.
"How was the rest of your morning, my darling?" he said, softly.
"Perfectly lovely. I lay in bed for a little bit longer after you left, but it was lonely without you beside me, so I bathed and dressed quickly before coming downstairs".
"Mmm" he said, kissing her lips slowly. He paused as the kiss broke, looking longingly towards her.
"I thought, my sweet Jane, that you may wish to accompany me into town this afternoon".
"Of course, but what are we going for?"
"Some new books. I believe we are all out".
"I will grab my hat and shawl, one moment" she called, already halfway down the hall in excitement. Edward chuckled to himself, biting his lip as he shook his head.
