The heavy rain persisted into the next day, slowing the Rochester's departure for the Eshton's house in the early afternoon as they had originally planned. Even though Father Roberts had not left their home late the night before, Jane was quite tired when she had finally made it to bed and so she and Edward had not had time to talk about the evening. The next morning, a series of incidents in the servants quarters and Henry fussing over breakfast also kept Jane and Edward from speaking to each other at length. It was not until their carriage was underway and Henry was feeling that they were free to talk for the first time.

Upon discussing dinner, they both agreed that Father Roberts had been an intriguing guest, quite different from all other priests they had met before. He was altogether more worldly and more willing to accept the complexity of human nature than so many other men, let alone men in his profession. On a personal level he had been a fine guest, polite and satisfied with everything he was given and more than willing to engage in meaningful conversation. He had left shortly after dinner concluded, explaining that he had been up late the previous night at the home of a sick woman, but thanking them for all their hospitality and expressing the hope that there would be another similar evening some time in the future.

"You know, while you were gone Father Roberts told me that he spoke to our neighbours about us and found that not one person had anything negative to say".

"Really?" Edward said, "That was a strange thing to do, was it not?"

"Well, he told me that we intrigued him when we first met because we were different from all the other couples he had met. But I would say that neighbours and the general population is not an unusual topic of conversation when one is new to a place".

"True. Well, that is very nice to hear all the same. One never knows what their neighbours think of them"

"But you do" Jane insisted, "Of course you do. You know how much friends and acquaintances around here respect you"

"They appreciate my staying out of their business, is all"

"Yes, but that is not all".

He looked at her and smiled,

"I am sure that they do not respect my character half as much as yours. How could they?"

"Easily" Jane replied, "If they spent more than five minutes with you and could see through your teasing comments and quick remarks".

"Well then we wouldn't be different to others around here, would we?"

He chuckled to himself as Jane shook her head.

When Henry began to wine, Jane picked him up and readjusted him onto her other breast. He latched on easily and his manner eased instantly. His hand rested against his mothers chest as he fed, and Jane kissed the top of his head when a wave of her love rolled through her.

As she was readjusting their son, Edward spoke again.

"So you liked Father Roberts, Jane? If you did, then I know I will be free to"

"I did. I thought him rather interesting".

"In knowledge? Or in his person?"

"His person. His knowledge was no doubt extensive, certainly the result of his good education, but he did not express many original thoughts or speak to anything not offered to him as a topic of conversation. Then again, I believe I have simply been spoiled by you, and am too used to your extensive curiosity about everything to find usual and polite conversation completely satisfying".

Edward grinned,

"In that case we have spoiled each other. As you said, his knowledge is no doubt extensive, but he only spoke on conventional topics and often needed prompting to elaborate".

"Except of course, in speaking so openly about his past".

"No, certainly not. In truth, I did not expect half so much from him"

"Nor I. There was something about the way he spoke of his life which made me almost want to grieve for him. Did it not strike you as sad, Edward, how he remembers his marriage?"

"Yes, but it is not impossible to imagine why. His seeming detachment may simply be a coping mechanism".

"I am sure that it is, yet while you went to care for Henry we spoke in more detail of his marriage. At one point he lapsed into thoughtfulness and told me that he once believed he and his wife would live as equals only to learn later that this was an impossibility. I stopped myself from responding, recognising that I had no right to say anything, but he assumed wrongly what my words would be and told me that his feelings are not rooted in guilt. He told me that the time since her death has only clarified his mistake of taking her away from the life she had known, even if he cannot fully regret the marriage. I believed every word he said, and he left me in no doubt of his sincerity".

Edward's forehead creased as he responded slowly,

"People who have been through tragedy sometimes attempt to diminish their feelings in their own minds in order to heal the pain faster. If Roberts does not allow himself to acknowledge how much he loved his wife, no matter how they came to be married, he probably is hoping that the pain will adjust itself accordingly".

"Exactly" Jane agreed softly, "That is the worst tragedy of it all".

Edward looked at his wife, and she could see that his deep and feeling eyes were full of his thoughts. She turned and stared out of the carriage window, watching as beads of rain fell against it and then smoothly ran down the pane of glass. Jane felt a sudden sense of guilt move over her. It had been unfair of her to comment on the way Father Roberts had displayed his guilt. How could she know how she would react if the same were to happen to her? She could not. The thought made her hold Henry a little closer in her arms. She opened her mouth to speak, not looking at her husband.

"I should not judge Father Roberts. If I lost you and Henry I cannot fathom how I would speak, or eat, or even manage to raise my head from my pillow".

She felt Edward's warm hand close around hers before turning back and smiling at him sadly, water swelling unexpectedly in her eyes. She blinked back the tears as Edward brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her.

"I am sorry, darling. I am being very grim, aren't I?"

"No" he replied honestly, "It is natural to think about such things, especially when someone you know has experienced it. You just reminded me of what I felt in the year we spent apart. I have not thought of being in that place for so long".

"I am glad" Jane assured him, "For we have our whole lives together".

But at these happy words her lip trembled and more tears clouded her eyes, this time threatening to spill over onto her cheeks.

"Come here, sweetheart," Edward said, lifting his arm so that she could move beneath it. When she was nestled against him he kissed the top of her head,

"I am sorry. It is the baby. It was the same way when I was pregnant with Henry. I feel perfectly fine, and suddenly all of these emotions come from nowhere and drown my better sense. It is embarrassing".

"Embarassing? Of course not"

"Not with you" Jane clarified, "But in front of others it is more difficult to explain".

"You do not owe anyone an explanation for anything, and if anyone ever demands one of you they will have to take it up with me".

Jane looked up into his face and kissed his cheek appreciatively, even though the sternness of his answer was not necessary. When she drew back she could see that his face had softened.

"Do you remember when you were pregnant with Henry, and I would find you in tears over the smallest and most insignificant things-"

"Do not remind me, please. And they were not insignificant or small things to me at the time. At any rate, this pregnancy is different'' Jane said, cradling her stomach, "I feel much better overall. I am just overtired today, I think".

"I am not too sure about that" her husband grinned "You did not move once the entire night. When morning came, and I found you in the exact same position you had fallen asleep, I was a little worried. I thought of waking you up to check on you, but then I could have come up with some other plans for us"

Jane's eyes narrowed at the suggestiveness in his voice before the corners of her lips turned up slightly and he bit his lip, recognising his wife's look.

"You can never be accused of not being honest, Edward"

"And do you think I was too honest with our guest last night in discussing my feelings towards the institution of the church?"

She thought for a moment before responding.

"No. I am sure that as a person who so rarely receives it from people, Father Roberts must appreciate honesty. Besides, as he said, if a man has his own relationship with God and does not require a priest to speak on their behalf, then he is free to simply be seen as a man. That must be liberating".

"I doubt very many people see him in that way. It must be very lonely".

"I saw with St John that the church is an isolating profession, and on top of this Father Roberts has lost his family and is now living in an entirely new place. How could he not be lonely?".

"But I suspect it is not only his circumstances. For a man so well versed in social interactions there was a rigidity in his character which often proves off putting to people. I sense that beneath his exterior he is immovable as stone, and no one likes to invest their time in a person who cannot be influenced".

"I believe you are right. I am not sure anyone would be able to change his opinions once his mind is made up. But in fairness, you are much the same, Mr Rochester".

"Am I?"

"In ways. There are things you believe which I am sure I could not convince you to see otherwise. In you, however, this comes from a sense of conviction, not stubbornness".

"But you have changed me, Jane, though you are perhaps the only person in the world who could".

She looked at him curiously for a moment before he caught her eye.

"What is it?"

"I suppose that is what marriage is"

"Being able to change someone?"

"No" she clarified, "Having the power to do so, but not wanting to".

Edward chuckled, his finger and thumb holding her chin as he kissed her.

"I love you"

The carriage rocked suddenly, and Henry stopped feeding, his little face scrunching into discomfort as he started to fuss. In an instant, Edward had his arms out.

"Here, it is my turn to have you for a little while".

Once in his arms he rubbed his sons back in small circles, shushing him and bouncing him lightly until the fussing subsided into sniffles. Jane smiled to herself before looking down at her stomach being cradled by her arms.

"You know, no one has not seen us since Christmas. Anne will no doubt think I was hiding my pregnancy from her at the time"

"Why would she think that?"

"Because, I look more pregnant than I really am and by that measure I should have been experiencing symptoms at Christmas time. She will assume I would not have wanted to take away from her own pregnancy excitement and will no doubt be upset with me".

Edward furrowed his brow.

"Perhaps she will not notice, or perhaps she will say nothing at all"

"If you think there is any chance of that, then you know nothing of women".

As he laughed, Jane watched her son bouncing on her husband's knee. When she reached forward to touch his face he turned quickly and tried to bite her fingers.

"He has been teething all morning" Edward said, "Did we bring his pacifier?"

"Yes, here" Jane said, reaching into her pocket and pulling it out. As she put it into his mouth she cradled his head sympathetically, her thumb caressing his cheek as she frowned.

"Oh sweetheart. You poor thing".

"Do you realise how lucky you are to have the mother you do?" Edward asked Henry, "I never would have remembered to bring such when we left the house".

Jane grinned at him.

. . .

The carriage turned a corner and entered the Eshton's long drive. As their large and stately home came into view, Jane was reminded of what a strange representation it was of the people who lived within it. The house had been left to Eshton when his elderly relative died, and when he married Anne she had been forbidden to touch or change anything in the home. As a result, the portrait lined walls of unfamiliar faces, the empty banquet rooms, and the marble surfaces felt lifeless in a home filled with vibrant people. It had been difficult at first, but overtime Anne had adjusted and became more content within her situation.

As the carriage slowed to a stop at the top of the drive the front door opened and Anne, Eshton, and to Jane's surprise, Diana and Captain Franklin walked out onto the steps.

"Did you know that the Franklins would be here?"

"I did not" Jane said, looking back at her husband, "But it rather seems as if we have a full welcoming crew, does it not?"

The carriage door was opened by the driver and Edward passed Henry back to his wife as he stepped out so he could help both of them down safely. As soon as they were in sight, the Eshton's beamed and waved their welcomes.

"Hello!" Anne called enthusiastically, curtsying to Jane and straightening up again quickly.

"Anne, how well you look. How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I am very well indeed. And hello to you too Henry".

Jane turned him so that Anne could rub his back affectionately.

"You are well recovered, I see"

"Yes. I must admit that you could not keep me in bed, Jane. I needed to be out of it as soon as possible".

"I know. I was the exact same way"

"And you can see we have surprised you. The Franklins heard you and your husband were visiting and absolutely insisted on coming"

At the mention of her name, Diana turned away from greeting Edward and approached her cousin with an equally warm smile on her face.

"I am so glad" Jane said, hugging her warmly, "Diana, it is so good to see you. I have missed you both"

"Oh, you too Jane. And our dear little Henry. Let me see you".

She held out her arms and Jane placed her son into her embrace.

"I must admit I have been desperate for company since dear Mary has been gone from the house. It has been so quiet, especially in the night time"

"And how does she get on Jane?" Anne asked, "I have not heard from dear Mary since Christmas"

"She wrote to me several days ago. She was enjoying her time with Lady Denver but is eager to see her son again. Is Daniel here?"

"No, he is not, unfortunately. He is staying with a nanny at our house. He was far too upset this morning to take with us though we would have loved to. He has been such a joy to have in our home".

"I can only imagine"

"Come, let us go inside" Anne urged, looking over at the men who were talking amongst themselves. "It is too cold to wait around outside and I am too eager to talk. Goodness, I have not spoken to other women in so long".

They walked inside the house where a servant was waiting to take Jane's travelling cloak. When she turned around, a shriek of surprise came out of Anne before her hand quickly clasped her mouth. The cry was still echoing in the large and empty entranceway when Diana's head snapped up, an equal look of surprise moving over her face.

"Jane. Turn this instant"

Grinning and feeling slightly embarrassed, she turned to the side.

"You are with child- another child?"

"Jane!" Diana said in shock, looking at Henry in her arms for reference, "But, how far along are you?"

"I am only about four months"

"But Henry is only 9 months old".

"I know" Jane said, "It was a surprise to us as well"

At that moment Eshton, closely followed by Rochester and Captain Franklin, entered the house looking concerned. When he saw that his wife was well he sighed in frustration.

"Good God Anne. You need not scream like that for no reason. I thought something was terribly wrong"

"Of course not. It is only that Jane has some wonderful news".

"What news?" he asked curiously, glancing at Rochester on his right.

Jane looked to her husband who only smiled and winked, so she turned towards the men so they too could see her stomach.

"I am pregnant"

"Oh, that is wonderful news!" Eshton agreed, "Congratulations to you both!"

"Yes" Captain Franklin added, "Goodness. I was not expecting to hear such news today. How exciting".

Edward walked over and put his arm around his wife. She felt comforted, and less embarrassed with him so close.

"When did you learn?"

"Only a few weeks ago" Edward explained, "We were surprised to say the least, but very happy"

"Goodness, more babies. How close all of our children will be. Henry, Daniel, Matilda, and now this little one will be so close in age. What friends they will have".

Jane looked over at Diana to see her reaction to Anne's words. Unsurprisingly, she looked a little hurt. Jane knew how badly she wanted a child, but so far had been unable to conceive. True, she had not been married very long, but she desperately wanted children and it was painful that she who wanted a daughter or son more than so many others did not have one yet.

"Well at this rate you shall have fifty children by the time your marriage is through. Our children will never be in want for friends"

"Not if I have anything to say about it, Mr Eshton" Jane corrected, and the room laughed. "After this little one there will be no more children for some time. We will be quite outnumbered, and I am not sure I am ready for such yet".

As the room dissolved into excited chatter Jane looked over at the Captain. He had drifted to where Diana was standing and said something lowly in her ear. She looked up at him and nodded, seeming to take fresh courage in whatever he said. He smiled a little before they turned back to the group and Jane looked away quickly.

"Well this deserves a drink" Eshton proclaimed, "Come into the library and-"

"Oh no, us ladies have much to discuss on our own" Anne said, "You can join us when you are quite through"

"Very well," he said, bowing to the women assembled before him. The men departed, and Anne led Jane and Diana into her sitting room.

. . .

The sitting room was as absurdly oppoulant and formal as all other spaces in the house were, though this was a space specially reserved for Anne, and so her presence alone brought a warmth to the room which was lacking in other parts of their home. Tea had already been laid for guests, and the women began talking as naturally as if they had last seen each other only the day before. When the servants had left the room, they delved once again into the topic of children.

Anne spoke warmly of her daughter Matilda, promising to show her off as soon as she woke from her nap. She described her easy delivery, her gentle temperament and her great beauty with such pride that it was difficult to not feel the same way, even without having met her. The emphasised description of her beauty was perhaps a shallow thing to take comfort in, yet Jane was reminded that to much of the world, and certainly in the world Anne was brought up in, beauty mattered greatly for a woman. Jane and Diana were never neared to be women of significance, but Anne had. When such was the case, the value of beauty and wealth could not be over exaggerated. It must have indeed been a comfort to know at such an early age that Matilda Eshton would have both, and thus was sure to be granted a good life, by societal definition at least.

After this, the topic moved back to Jane and her own pregnancy.

"So, you were not trying to conceive again?" Diana asked curiously, looking at Jane over the brim of her teacup.

"No, we were not. In fact, I had always thought women could not conceive again while they were breastfeeding. As a result, the situation had not even crossed my mind as a possibility".

"It is rare" Anne said, "Though I knew a woman whose daughters were born nine months apart. It can happen. But Mr Rochester was not upset by the news?"

"No, of course not. He was very happy. Shocked- but happy. You should have seen his face. I have never seen a man look so surprised in all of my life".

The women laughed, and so did Jane but a moment later Diana's smile faltered.

"I feel rather inadequate at present" she admitted, "Everyone has had a child now but myself. I wish I knew why, then I could change what I am doing"

The room was silent for a moment,

"Sometimes, it just takes time" Jane assured her genuinely, "And you are only married a year, Diana. There is still plenty of time for you and your husband to have a child".

"Yes" Anne confirmed, "You are young and healthy. In God's time he will grant you a child, I am sure of it".

She nodded but sighed. Jane could tell she was building up the confidence to say what she needed to.

"I wonder sometimes if I am doing something wrong" she said lowly, "If I am not lying the right way, or if I stand up too quickly afterwards, or anything else of the sort".

Jane felt a sad pang in her stomach.

"No, of course not Diana. You know what must happen between a husband and a wife to conceive a child?"

"Yes, I believe so"

"Well, as long as that end is reached, whatever happens before or after does not matter- at least when it comes to conception".

"And I wondered such at times too" Anne said, speaking equally lowly, "I must admit, one time Mr Eshton came to me at night in quite a...mood. He was very intent on us creating a child, and consequently I was in bed with him for quite some time. Do you ladies find the longer you are in bed, the stronger the ending is?"

"Yes" Diana said energetically, not raising the volume of her voice "But often it does not last very long. Men are always so eager, are they not?"

"Agreed" Anne said, "It takes me much longer to feel the same way my husband does"

"I think for women it often takes longer to feel as satisfied" Jane agreed, feeling inwardly grateful for her own husband's considerateness.

"Which is inconvenient as men are always so needy" Anne said,

The giggles which issued from the women gathered made Jane smile. It reminded her of why women needed other women- because they were kept ignorant from birth, and often felt that they were alone when it came to universal experience. When women spoke to one another, and made each other feel less alone, it was a unique type of support different to all other kinds in the world.

"They say it is women's responsibility to serve their husbands" Jane began, "But I believe women have as much say as men when it comes to marital relations".

"That should be the case" Anne agreed, "And in the best moments it is true. Do you know, the other day I was very surprised at Mr Eshton's spointinuity. We were sitting down after dinner and he told me to go up to our room and to prepare myself. Well, you can imagine how I blushed and hurried upstairs. I was so caught off guard I could barely undo the buttons of my dress".

Jane grinned and Diana giggled,

"There was one time that the Captain had relations in the morning, '' Diana said, so quietly that it was barely spoken above a whisper. "He was leaving in the night for quite some time, so we were forced to in the morning. It was a different change but not, on the whole, an unwelcome one".

The women then looked towards Jane expectantly, and she smiled. Images of moments she had spent with her husband flashed over her mind, but they were personal to her. Too personal to share with anyone. Besides, she knew that she and her husband had a more frequent and more intimate sexual life than the women with her. To share a surface level story would be enough, she thought, both to satisfy their curiosity and make them feel as if she was not unwilling to share with them after they had been so open with her.

"Well I remember a time when Edward was called into town, and we were...disrupted in what we were doing, so he told me to wait right where I was for him. I waited there happily for quite some time, and was well rewarded for doing so"

The girls beamed, and Jane blushed. Still, she knew that they couldn't possibly understand in which ways he had rewarded her. That thought made her bite back a smile.

"I am so grateful we are all in good marriages with good men" Anne said warmly, "It makes it joyful to talk amongst ourselves. When women are in difficult situations I imagine it is very hard".

"I agree" Jane said, "We should be grateful indeed. How differently things can be in life and often are for so many people"

Henry stirred for the first time since they had begun their tea. Jane picked him up instantly and held her against her chest, bouncing him gently in order to soothe him.

"Henry is such a sweet boy"

"He is" Jane agreed, "I love him more than words could express".

"Is he any more content in the nights than he was before?"

"Oh yes. He sleeps much better now then he ever has. And thank goodness, for waking up every few hours was beginning to take its toll on us. How does Matilda sleep?"

"Well, I am told. She has her nanny who takes care of her during the nights so in truth I only see her sleep during the day, but she is quiet and tranquil most of the time. Oh! here she comes"

When Jane turned she saw a woman walking with a bundle of linens in her arms.

"Diana, Jane, this is our nanny Claire"

"Hello Claire" Jane said, "How do you do?"

"Well miss, thank you".

"Diana is the wife of Captain Franklin, whom you've met, and Jane is the wife of Mr Rochester, who is currently with the other men in the library".

"No we aren't" Eshton said, entering the room, "We thought there was some activity in here. Oh I see Matilda is up".

The men all sat down beside their wives, and Claire handed Matilda to Anne before departing the room. She was so small that the blankets which covered her almost engulfed her, obscuring her from view.

"Would you like to see her?"

"Of course," Jane said, passing Henry to her husband.

In an instant, the small bundle was placed into her arms. Jane and Edward smiled down at her, moving back the blankets to see her little face more clearly. She was still half asleep, eyes closed, but she was moving her hands and feet.

"She is so sweet" Jane said, looking up at the Eshton's, "One might even say that she is perfect".

Anne grinned at her husband, and then back at the Rochesters.

"I rather think so".

Edward smiled his knowing, crooked smile,

"I can see that she has you wrapped around her finger already"

"Yes" Anne laughed, "Especially her father".

Eshton shot a warning look at Franklin who was laughing and being subsequently scolded by Diana.

"We will see, Franklin, what you are like one day with your own".

Edward moved Henry onto his shoulder, patting his back as he did so.

"Look Henry, you have a new friend too".

Anne glowed,

"Oh I cannot wait until they are old enough to play together. It will be so sweet. Oh! Imagine if they marry one day-".

"One step at a time, dearest" Eshton said, rolling his eyes so that his wife could not see, "You will give Edward a heart attack"

The others laughed, including Edward, who still looked overwhelmed at the idea.

"Henry is only 9 months old. I cannot handle such thoughts yet. I can barely fathom Adele growing at the rate she is".

"She will be married before you know it, Rochester, and you will not know where the time has gone".

"That is quite enough" Jane interjected, "For I fear you will give my husband a heart attack, Mr Eshton, and then you will be answerable to me"

The group laughed, and Henry squealed, flapping his arms in excitement

. . .

Several hours later, when darkness had just about fallen, the Rochester's departed for home again. They had promised the Eshton's that they would return soon, and in the meantime they offered an invitation to their home for afternoon tea. Diana and the Captain were extended the same invitation and promised that when they travelled to obtain Mary from Lady Denver's at the end of the month, they would stop by on their return trip. With these assurances, the Rochester's left.

The ride home felt longer than it would have if Jane had not been so tired. She struggled to repress her yawns and noticed that her eyelids were heavier than they normally were at this time of day. Not only was she struggling to stay awake, but Henry fused most of the way, making it impossible to be at ease for more than a few moments at a time. His parents took turns soothing and comforting him, but all efforts only worked temporarily before another bout of fussing required more distractions to keep him content, and Jane's ability to come up with unique ways to keep him entertained were dwindling with her mental alertness. Seeing this, Edward told his wife to go and get ready for bed while he put their son to sleep. She resisted at first, but he insisted.

"I will watch this child. You look after our other" he said, referring to their sleepy boy in his arms.

"Very well" Jane finally agreed, bending and kissing Henry goodnight.

"I love you so much. I will see you in the morning. Sleep tight my angel".

She caressed his cheek with her thumb before looking up at her husband.

"I won't be long, sweetheart" he promised, kissing her forehead and entering the nursery.

Inside her own room Jane undressed slowly, savouring the feeling of removing each piece of clothing until she was left in just her slip. Sitting down at her vanity and brushing through her hair was such an automatic process that night that she did not even realise what she was doing until she turned and saw in the mirror that her hair had been taken out of its bun and combed through. It was with equal thoughtlessness that she climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up around herself, not fully realising how much she needed the relief which spread through her as she relaxed into her warm sheets. She turned and her eyes fell on the stack of letters on her husband's bedside table. She stretched out her arms for them and began looking through, noting that most looked like estate notes from those who lived on their land. One in particular caught her eye, however. It was from a man named Mr Stephens who lived several counties over. He was the local magistrate there, and Jane had met him once or twice when he had been over for meetings at their home. It was odd to hear from him though, for he was usually very quiet and Edward had divulged to her before that he was one of the more disinterested members of the magistracy. Curious, Jane opened the letter and began reading it, surprised to see it was asking for help. According to Mr Stephens, a fire in the servant hall of his home meant that the servants had to be moved to neighbouring residences, and that he needed help in arranging it until repairs could be finished. Jane was still thinking over the particulars of this when the bedroom door opened and Edward stepped inside.

"It looks like you will be leaving me" she said, laying back down on the pillow.

"Will I? Why is that?"

"Mr Stephens wrote to you"

"Mr Stephens? Really? Is anything wrong?"

"Not exactly. He had a fire in the servants quarters of his home and he is asking for help in arranging living situations for his staff until the damages from the fire have been repaired".

Edward sat on the end of the bed and pulled off his boots.

"And of course Stephens would not think of arranging such on his own"

"It does not seem he is capable of it, Edward"

"Oh yes he is. He is just indifferent".

"So you will not help him?"

He turned and looked at her

"You sound as if you would be disappointed in me if I did not go".

"No" Jane replied slowly, "I am not starting a habit of critiquing your decisions, especially not within our marriage. I trust you".

"I know you do" he said gently, turning around again and lifting his shirt off over his head, "That is probably why you also know that I will go".

Jane smiled, watching the muscles of his back contracting and relaxing in the glow of the firelight.

"I know you would not have his staff put into destitute situations when you could do better for them. So yes, I suppose I do know you will go".

He lay down and pulled his wife to his chest, kissing her temple as she curled into his frame. She exhaled softly, contentment and peace flooding through like sunshine on a summer day. It was a wonderful thing to be loved so fully and completely, to be known so fully and completely by another human being. The comfort such brought was unparalleled by anything else in life.

Edward inhaled deeply.

"Mmm, you smell good"

Jane chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around his neck as he enclosed her waist.

"Can I tell you what I want?"

"Mmm"

"I want to reach my hand down between your legs, and I want to look into your face as I touch you so that I can see that blissful look move over your face".

"Is that so? Do I not look blissful enough as I am?"

"Oh you do, so much so that a husband could feel nothing but pride when looking at you. But nothing comes close to the look you have when I am touching you"

Jane smiled and felt her cheek burn slightly at his words.

"Well then, I am at your mercy"

"Oh, but I would have no mercy with you" he assured, his hand leaving her waist and travelling down her leg.

She exhaled when his finger traced the inside of her thigh lightly, teasing close to her core. She readjusted to help him find it, but she also knew that he needed no assistance. She laid her cheek against his, inhaling in order to calm her rapidly beating heart. This was easier to do when his teasing was easy to anticipate, a pattern of circling and grazes against her. But when his teasing grew less unpredictable and less satisfying in its irregularity it was much harder to ease herself.

She moaned into his ear softly, biting back a louder exclamation of pleasure that threatened to slip from her lips just when she thought he may touch her core.

"That's right" Edward said, drawing her back so that he could look at her, "That's right, sweetheart"

"I love when you talk to me like that" she said a little breathlessly, smiling at her own confession.

"I know" he said, a masculine pride emulating from him, and then suddenly his hand was gone and Jane comfortingly ran her fingers through his hair.

Edward pressed his hand against her chest and flattered her against the pillows before bending to kiss her. The feel of his large and warm hand across her chest made Jane feel incredibly safe. He stopped just before he reached her mouth, pausing in anticipation. She could feel his breath, smell his unique and wonderful aroma that was entirely him as he hung over her. Feeling intoxicated and yet hyper aware of every sensation, Edward kissed her in the way that any woman would want to be kissed. His kiss left her possessed, body, mind and soul. He could have asked anything of her and she would have agreed to it at that moment.

His hand moved from her chest to the buttons on the front of her nightgown. When he had unbuttoned it to her naval he opened the front of her gown and bent his head to kiss between her breasts. Jane turned onto her back and moved her arms above her head as he placed both of his thumbs on her breasts, rolling tantalising circles around her nipples.

"Ahhh" Jane exhaled, feeling no relief as she dropped her head back onto the pillows. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, feeling her husband's mouth close around her hardened peaks. He groaned against her skin as she wrapped her legs around his waist to lock him into place. When he nibbled, even as gently as he did, Jane gasped in pain and he looked up quickly.

"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart"

"No, no" Jane said, fingering through his curls, "You are being very gentle. I am just a little sore right now"

"Then I'll be sure to use my tongue from now on".

As soon as his mouth closed around her breast again Jane felt her eyes roll up in her head. She let out a shuddering gasp of air as his fingers found her core and brushed her softly. She was slick with desire, and in feeling such Edward looked up and kissed his wife, not stopping his gentle stroking in the process.

"There we are" he smiled, but then his face turned very serious. "God, being with you is as close as a human being can be to heaven on earth".

"You feel like heaven," Jane said, touching his face gently. He turned to kiss the hand on his cheek before running his thumb along her chin.

Maneuvering his wife with graceful ease, Edward turned them over so that Jane was resting on top of him. He raised her up so that he could slip further beneath her, allowing her bum to rest on the top of his chest so that he had access to her centre of pleasure. With one swift flick of his tongue, Jane sway on the spot with the feeling building between her legs. As Edward's tongue licked and sucked Jane's core he held her shaking thighs steady with his two hands. She reached behind her back and tried to balance herself on his chest but her hands slid to his sides as she threw her head back in pleasure. She moaned and moaned again, disarmed by the power of her husband's mouth and unable to help herself. She felt the familiar and yet entirely consuming pressure building within her slowly and then all at once as she came, shaking and crying out as she fell forward and gripped the bed frame. Edward kissed her gently, running his tongue along her one last time before trying to move out from under her, but Jane stopped him.

"No, no, please do not go"

She felt him smile against her skin, his lips grazing her inner thigh.

"Do you want more, darling?"

"Mmmhm, and I will come again if you just stay there a little longer"

"Oh, I will for as long as you like" he replied, relaxing back down onto the bed.

Jane sighed out her happiness when his mouth covered her core once again and she readjusted herself so that his skillful tongue was exactly where it needed to be. She felt his hands close around her bottom and draw her closer, and she had to struggle against her desire to not succumb to him instantly. Instead, she pulled back and crawled down so she was at her husband's level, laying across him and kissing him sweetly. Reaching down between them, Jane rubbed him for a moment before putting him inside of her. The feeling of joy which moved through her made Jane realise just how much she had wanted this from the first moment he had touched her. From her position she could watch his face, one of the two faces she liked best in the whole world, and observed how happy he was.

Their lovemaking was slow and gentle, an intimate expression of their closeness. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, smoothing back his hair as she pushed him into her again and again. He looked up at her with an intoxicating warmth which came from a place of love and pride and peace. They moved together for several minutes, Jane feeling more loved and protected then perhaps she had in her whole life. When they finished, trembling against each other's skin, Jane curled up into his frame. He held her close, one hand in her hair and the other around her waist while his lips rested against her forehead.

After what seemed like a long time Jane drew back to look into her husband's face. His eyes were closed, so she laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes too. Before she knew it, she was asleep.