Over the following week several significant things happened within the Rochester household which brought newness into their lives and a change to their routine.
One morning, while Jane was giving Henry a bath, Edward entered the room with a stack of mail that had been delivered at breakfast. He threw the bundle down on a table before bending down to watch his son happily splashing water all over the tub. Jane cleaned Henry carefully, taking the sponge beside her and dipping it in the water as she balanced him in her arms. While Jane was saying hello to her husband, Henry punched his small fists down into the water and splashed soapy water all over his mothers face.
"Oh, here" Edward laughed, quickly taking a cloth and cleaning her face while she held their son still.
"Thank you" she said, screwing up her face as she tasted the remnants of soap in her mouth. "You know, I was always told children hated getting baths, but just look at Henry''
"Did you not hate them?" Edward asked.
"I suppose I did not really get the chance to know. They did not bathe us at Lowood and at Gateshead I was usually put in the cold water my cousins had already used. I would not say that is the experience most people have".
"Mmm" he said, putting his hand at the back of her neck, "What was it they did at Lowood if they did not bathe you?"
"They dumped buckets of water over us. One so we could clean ourselves, and one to rinse off afterwards".
"That place should have been torched" Edward said angrily, kissing her cheek with a little too much force. "What happened to you there goes beyond neglect".
"I know" Jane agreed, grinning at his aggressive display of affection, "But I suppose there were some good things which came out of it. For one, I do very much appreciate my baths now".
"Me too" he grinned, his voice filled with a little too much meaning. Jane looked back at him, only managing a half scolding look before turning again to their son. Edward picked up the stack of letters he had thrown beside him and began shifting through them thoughtlessly.
"Is there anything noteworthy?" Jane asked, covering Henry's face as she poured water over his head.
"You have a letter here from Anne" he replied, a smile in his voice.
"Oh, I am sure it will be good news of the baby. Open it and read it to me".
She heard the wax seal break and then the parchment being unfolded before Edward's voice filled the room.
Dearest Jane,
Mr Eshton and I are very pleased to announce the birth of our daughter, Matilda Eshton. She was born monday night after a very quick birth. I felt almost guilty, Jane, when I remembered what you told me of your difficult labour. From the time my water broke to the time I held her in my arms it could not have been more than an hour. How wonderful she is. When I am not resting or sleeping I must have her near me. She is such a joyous little thing, so full of life and very hearty. My own family is very happy, as is Mr Eshton's, and we expect a visit from them both in the coming weeks.
I am sorry I cannot write for long, but you and Mr Rochester must promise to come and visit whenever is convenient for you. We would love to see you both and to introduce you to our daughter. I hope you are all very well, including little Henry.
Anne.
Jane smiled softly, turning towards her husband.
"They have a daughter... I cannot believe it. I am so happy for them".
Edward looked at her warmly, placing his hand on the back of her neck.
"I know you are"
He glanced out the window and chuckled slightly to himself.
"I never would have imagined Eshton with a child. Three years ago that man sat adamantly in my study assuring me he would never marry or be a father, and just look at him now".
"Well, it is my experience that men often do not know what they want '' Jane mused, picking up a towel and handing it to her husband so that a moment later she could lay a dripping Henry into his lap. As Edward dried him off, Jane observed his hair drying into his characteristic dark curls. In that moment, seeing him on his fathers lap, Jane thought Henry was remarkably like Edward.
"You are right, certainly in Eshton's case. He has never known what he wanted until it materialised directly in front of him. But he will be happy, and he will enjoy fatherhood more than he ever imagined he-".
"Ba ba ba" Henry cried suddenly, cutting off his father.
Jane smiled and crouched between her husband's legs so that she was at Henry's height, repeating what he had said as Edward kissed his cheek.
"Baaaa'' Henry screamed again, rolling around energetically. When he began reaching for his fathers hair, his parents looked at eachother meaningfully.
"Have we missed his naptime?"
"I think we have"
"Well, I'll try to put him down first" Jane said easily, "I honestly would not mind lying down too. I feel a little unwell".
"Do you?" Edward asked, standing up with Henry in his arms, "That is not like you, darling, to want to lay in bed. Are you well?".
He pressed his hand to Jane's forehead but she gently lowered it.
"I am very well, just tired. It is probably just the baby. I have been very lucky so far, so I will not complain about a little sleepiness".
Jane absentmindedly touched her stomach which had grown significantly since they had found out she was pregnant. The four months in which she had not shown at all had seemed to catch up with her overnight. There was no hiding her pregnancy now, even if she had wanted to. She had grown so much so quickly that she had to have several new dresses made by different women at the same time so that she would not be confined to her bed in a nightshirt with nothing else to wear. Edward was quick to tease her that she would have had things to wear had she not hastily given away all of her maternity dresses to Jenny's sister. Jane had argued that she did not expect to be pregnant again so soon, and such was the truth. If anyone had told her at the time she was wearing those dresses that she would have another child coming in ten months time, she would have laughed.
Edward kissed her forehead and put his hand in the small of her back.
"I will put Henry down, you just go and rest" he offered, but Jane shook her head.
"I will lie down with him in our bed, but only for a little while. Will you promise to wake me if I fall asleep?"
He hesitated but Jane touched his arm.
"Please. I do not wish to sleep my day away and I know I will".
"Very well" he said, kissing the top of her head as he passed her their son. "I will be close by responding to these"
He indicated the remaining stack of letters in his hand and Jane smiled.
"Thank you".
. . .
Over the following days it was decided that the Rochesters would visit the Eshton's at the end of the week the day after Father Roberts came to dinner. He had graciously accepted the invitation that Edward had sent, saying that he would arrive on Thursday night at seven o'clock.
The day leading up to dinner, however, turned out to be a stressful one.
The morning started with Henry waking up very early and crying so much and so hard that both his parents rushed into his room to see if he was safe. Usually this would be easy to deal with as a married couple, for Jane and Edward were equals when it came to caring for their son, but this morning was different. Henry was passed back and forth between his parents over the course of the busy morning, screeching in their ears as they tried to soothe him into submission. Worried, tired, and stressed by the length of his tantrum, Edward shot a retort at his wife when she had entered the room and commented on the fact he was still awake. He passed off their son to her, leaving the room in frustration. Jane did not take his anger personally, for she knew it had nothing to do with her. Edward's self control also faltered so infrequently as of late that his intense changes in mood which had once characterised him were no longer part of how Jane viewed him. At the same time, she was not impressed with his shortness of temper when she was equally stressed about why he was crying.
To try and help the situation, Jane walked Henry up and down the long hallway upstairs where the large and open space made his screaming less overwhelming then it had been in their bedroom. She helped him to walk slowly, holding his hands above his head as his feet stumbled ungracefully under him. She had traversed the hall several times before sitting down in a chair and placing him on the ground at her feet so that he could pull himself up before dropping to the ground again- his new favourite activity. She covered her face, a headache beginning to pound at the front of her head. She felt the desire to rub it, in spite of this neither relieving nor limiting the pain. It was a moment before she realised that silence had fallen, and opened her eyes to see Henry's lids becoming heavy.
Taking advantage of this, Jane picked him up quickly and brought him into his nursery. She laid him in his crib with a kiss and watched his eyes slowly slide shut. She was in slight disbelief at first, the continual cries which had lasted all morning and now rung in her ears seeming impossible in this peacefulness. She waited a long time before moving, not wanting to tempt fate by moving too quickly and waking him again. Finally, however, she had to chance leaving in order to have some time to herself before he woke again, hopefully feeling better.
When Jane left the nursery she was intent on finding her husband, but when she went downstairs and asked Jenny if she had seen him she was told that he had been in the stables with his oldest and best horse who had died over the course of the morning.
"Ma'am, if you will" Jenny said, looking reluctant after delivering such news, "We have had an issue in the kitchen. Some of the supplies have gone missing over the course of the night and now cook is fretting. If you would come and talk to her I am sure she would be more settled and could get on with her days work".
"Of course" Jane said, still distracted by what she had just heard, "I shall go down directly".
When they arrived in the kitchen Jane found it in utter disarray, quite unlike its normal state where every pot and pan was hung on the wall, every surface stainless, and the floors practically clean enough to eat from. When she saw Jane enter, the cook bustled towards her, red faced and exasperated.
"Ms Rochester, I cannot answer for where the supplies went. Whether it was thieves or animals I do not know-"
"Ms Jones, it is quite alright" Jane assured quickly, "There is no use in fretting now, for we have quite enough here for a very nice dinner. You can make whatever you feel is best, for everything you make is delicious and I cannot imagine anyone will be disappointed either way".
Ms Jones nodded, the red flush in her cheeks fading and looking less angry.
"Very well, miss".
"And thank you. I know that you have had to work harder today to compensate for the missing goods. I appreciate all of the extra work, and tomorrow I shall send some servants to town to replace your missing stock".
She nodded,
"Of course, miss. Your understanding is very much appreciated. I promise you a good meal will be prepared on time".
"I know it will be. Thank you again Ms Jones".
Jane turned and had only made it into the servants hallway before the sound of her name stopped her again in her tracks.
"Miss" Jenny said, approaching her swiftly, "I'm sorry to bother you again. It is Mariah. She has taken ill and is now lying in her bed".
"My goodness. Should I call for a doctor?" Jane asked, "When was it that she took ill?"
"Only a few minutes ago"
"Well have the doctor sent for in any case"
"Will the pharmacist do?"
"No, you better ask for the doctor. The pharmacist often just prescribes general medicine, but if you say she is very unwell then the doctor will be better"
"Well miss" Jenny continued lowly, "If I am being honest I find that Mariah can be prone to exaggeration when it comes to her health. This has happened several times before, and I fear that it has all amounted to nothing every time".
Jane smiled a small knowing smile. Mariah was one of the youngest girls to work in the Rochester home. She had come to work for them several months ago when her sister became pregnant and moved away with her husband, leaving her without a place to live. Overall Jane thought she was a good worker, though not necessarily the most determined she had ever encountered. She was always the last to start her work and the first to finish.
"Well, perhaps you can use your discretion, Jenny. If you feel that it is necessary, then have the doctor sent for. If not, let her remain in bed for the rest of the day and we can check in on her progress tomorrow".
"Yes, of course miss".
She bowed quickly and then disappeared into a room at the end of the long sleeping quarters hallway.
Left standing in the quiet passageway, Jane found herself to be experiencing true silence for the first time all day. Well, silence in the sense no one was expecting anything of her. She could still hear the sounds of slicing in the kitchen and the muffled sound of men chatting amongst themselves on the other side of the polishing room door, but no one addressed her directly. Moving to the staircase which led back upstairs, she sat on the steps beside a small window that rested halfway up. The glass was frosted, so she could not see out, but the blue light of the late afternoon felt comforting on her face. She laid her head against the wall and sighed, closing her eyes.
How strange, she reflected, that some days passed with such ease. How strange it was to have others which stretched on and on. Stranger still were the days like this, which were neither good nor bad, but rather a fluctuation between both. Since she had married it was rare that Jane did not have a good day. She was loved, and she was free to give her love, so she had everything humans could possibly desire in this world. She was privileged too, more than she deserved and more than she ever would have imagined for herself. She thought to herself that had she been less tired the day would have felt less strange, but the baby growing inside of her had indeed drained her lately, and the smallest of incidents made her sensitive and overly emotional. She smiled to herself, remembering that this was also the case when she had been pregnant with Henry. On one particular occasion she had only just managed to hold it together enough to make it to her room in order to cry in private when she had dropped a basket of flowers all over the walk outside. Edward had found her and was clearly amused, but respected his wife enough to not laugh like he probably had wanted to.
When she opened her eyes again the blue light which had been dim before was almost garish, but she did not want to look away. It was only when she heard steps below her that she stood so as not to look in distress. A moment later a servant boy Stephen came into view, stopping abruptly when he saw Jane.
"Are you alright Miss?"
"Oh yes, thank you. I was just caught up in my own thoughts".
He nodded, passing swiftly before Jane forced herself back upstairs.
. . .
Because Henry did not wake up when she anticipated he would, Jane found that she had some unexpected time to herself before dinner. She thought of going to find her husband, but given the day he had she thought he may appreciate some time to himself and would return when he wanted to. So instead, she went into the library to do something she had not done in a very long time.
Jane had been too busy since the birth of her son to paint, but sitting in the window seat of the library and running her watercolours over the thick parchment, she realised how much she had missed it. It had once been such a significant part of her life, and one of the only joyful experiences she had known. She remembered moments at Lowood as a teacher where on school breaks, or early morning before class, she would run a few brush strokes over the canvas in the hopes of bringing some vision in her head to life. She had been proud of them, and they were one of the very few material things she possessed. The feeling these memories conjured up in her now were difficult to describe, but she remembered feeling very content while doing them. This was the same truth she disclosed to Edward the first time they met when he had asked. Her response had caused him to look at her, or through her, almost with pity as he marvelled that her pleasures in life had been few if such was true. She had not enough perspective nor life experience to know what he meant, but now having experienced love, and family, and hope, she knew that watercolours and brushes were not an equivalent.
She looked up from her paper to take reference again, gazing out over the still blue hued world through the large window. Rain drops speckled the glass, but they did not run down it. No doubt the air was heavy with mist which was carried on the wind now blowing the branches of the barren trees. How unskilled she was to be able to capture such. She was still considering all before her when the door to the room clicked open. She did not need to look to know who entered, for her husband's footsteps were distinct and well known to her. When he was close, however, she turned and was surprised to find him looking so at ease, even curious.
"What is this?" he asked, putting his hands on her shoulders and kissing the top of her head, "It is beautiful"
"I am trying to capture this day" Jane said, making one final stroke across the canvas and speaking slowly as she focused, "But... I am afraid I am do not have the skill"
"I am not sure anyone is skilled enough to capture this day. That steele sky has cast a shadow which is hard to describe".
Jane laid down her painting supplies and stood, motioning for her husband to sit before her as she cleaned up her things around him and put them back into their places.
"Don't stop on account of me"
"No, I have worked at this too long. I imagine I need to change soon for dinner".
He nodded and gazed out the window, Jane following his look.
"It has been a rather strange day, hasn't it?"
"Mmm" he replied, his voice now low and serious, "Beginning with me barking at you this morning"
"Yes" Jane grinned, her thumb grazing his lips, "Starting with that"
"I'm sorry, sweetheart"
"It was a hard morning all around, including hearing of your horse. I'm sorry".
Edward tilted his head to one side, wrapping his arms around his wife's middle.
"I think I knew it was coming. I suspected it first six or so months ago when he never healed from a simple limp. I am surprised that he held on for as long as he did, in truth. It was just a bad day for it to happen".
Jane ran her fingers through his hair comfortingly.
"There is no such thing as a good day to lose the things we cherish"
"True" he said thoughtfully. "I suppose I did not consider how many of the important moments of my life he brought me to and from until I watched him go. But I will have another horse. The boys in the barn already had their ideas and are bursting to share them. When that happens, I think it will be time for me to teach you to ride for yourself".
"Very well. But you will be taking on more than you bargained for".
"Well the same can be said of any situation involving you since we married" he said, his crooked, irresistible smile stretching over his face. Jane could not help returning it, smoothing the creased lines of his forehead.
"How was Henry for the rest of the morning?" he asked, still sounding guilty.
"Well he cried until after lunch. I finally got him to sleep after walking him up and down the hallway upstairs. Actually, I am surprised to find he has not woken since-".
"He was awake for a while" Edward said "I have been with him for the last hour or so. I only just came down when he went back to sleep".
"Oh, I was hiding out in the servants staircase and did not hear. Was he upset when he woke?"
"He was crying, but only because he was overtired. I do not think it is a good idea to let him sleep again for long because we will never get him to sleep tonight. Perhaps while we are having dinner one of the girls will play with him so we can put him to bed with us later on".
"I will ask Beth or Jenny. I am sure they will not mind-".
"Hold on a moment" he said, "Did you say you were hiding in the servants stairs?"
Jane grinned briefly and nodded.
"It was nice and quiet down there"
"I dare say it was. You do know, however, that you own a whole house to sit in quiet anywhere you like?"
She chucked for the first time that day, sitting down beside him and laying her head on his shoulder.
When she looked up into his face she found it the way she liked best. His severe brow, his long sweep of curls across his forehead, and his square jaw all contrasted his expressive eyes and mouth. It made her heart swell, and she was filled with a sudden sense of awe. People talked of depressions, of lows in energy and dampening of spirits, but just to sit in his presence, or be included in his sphere of influence, could heal any bad feeling, or buoy up any spirit. She remembered feeling this way when he had arrived at Thornfield for the first time, bringing life and warmth to every inch of the large and empty place. He had also brought warmth to her.
"What has you looking so thoughtful?" he asked,
"I was thinking of this gift you have. A subtle but powerful ability to warm anyone in your presence. Looking at you just now I was reminded of it".
"What is this?" he asked, a smile in his voice as he kissed her hand, "Jane Eyre gushing with sentiment?"
"I cannot say anything to you" she concluded, "It makes you far too conceited. I can see it in your face right now".
"Kiss me, then. I know you have wanted to since I walked in here"
"See? You are positively conceited" Jane said, trying to push away from him but instead being pulled onto his lap, "How could you possibly know that?"
"I just do" he said with his relaxed confidence "I can see it in that face of yours I love so much".
"Well either way" she began, trying to send him a hard look, "Would you not say it is you who owes me the kiss after today".
"I can arrange that" he said, taking her chin between her finger and thumb and bringing her lips to his mouth.
He was heaven.
Jane savoured every morsel of him until there was a sharp knock at the door. She quickly disentangled herself from his embrace, hearing him muttering quietly before the door swung open.
"Mr Rochester, sir, there are some men to see you"
"Men? What men?"
"Two gentlemen from the estate. They say it is urgent, sir"
Edward checked his watch before standing,
"Very well. Where have you brought them?"
"The study, sir"
The servant left and Edward turned back to his wife.
"I had more to say, but I will save it for tonight when we are in bed. I have a feeling I know what this meeting is regarding. I will not be long".
"Take your time. I will ask Jenny to help me dress. Just make sure you are not late".
"I won't be" he promised, kissing her briefly and leaving the room.
. . .
Half an hour or so later Jane walked downstairs with her husband at the announcement of their guests arrival. The house looked different now at night. Everything was lit by soft candlelight, making the house feel warm and inviting. Jane quite liked the atmosphere of the house when it was like this.
They stood together on the bottom step of their stairs as Father Roberts walked through the front door, shaking the rain from his coat and his hair. The informality of the action made Jane like him just a little more. Edward stepped forward with Jane on his arm.
"Roberts, how do you do?"
"Well, thank you, in spite of this downpour"
He chucked, and they shook hands.
"Allow me to introduce you again to my wife"
"Yes, of course" he said, bowing lowly, "It is very good to see you Ms Rochester. I trust you are well"
"Yes I am very well, thank you"
Looking at them both more closely, Father Roberts noticed Jane's pregnant stomach which was jutting out from under her dress.
"I see I have reason to congratulate you. I am sorry I did not do so when we first met"
"Thank you" Jane beamed, her hand instinctively cradling her stomach, "I believe I was covered in a travelling cloak when you last saw me".
"And how far along are you?" he asked with polite interest.
"I am just five months, approximately"
"Well I am very happy for you both. I trust you are feeling in good spirits?"
"Yes, very good spirits. It is a constant surprise as I cannot say the same of my first pregnancy".
He smiled,
"Yes, I have seen such many times before. It can be rather a bother, I imagine, in spite of the prize one receives at the end".
He hardly took a pause before continuing,
"Well, I would like to thank you both for your kind invitation. I must admit that I have been looking forward to this dinner. If you will allow me to comment, you are rather two of the nicest people I have met since my arrival".
"That is kind to say, Roberts. I hope you have not been met with any unpleasantness?"
"Oh no" he said quickly, "Though over extravagance in all forms is very near to unpleasantness for myself. Your home is refreshing".
Jane smiled slightly to herself, understanding his sentiment perhaps more than he assumed.
"Thank you. Can I offer you some dryer garments?" Edward asked, but Father Roberts shook his head.
"Thank you, but no. I will do rather well once I am in front of a fire"
"Then come, let us sit in here until dinner is called".
And so they advanced into the sitting room.