"Mrs Fairfax turned out to be what she appeared , a placid tempered , kind natured woman , of competent education and average intelligence." ~ Jane Eyre about Mrs Fairfax.

Mrs Fairfax - The honourable Lady Part II

Having received Mrs Fairfax's letter, the Rochesters were overjoyed at her acceptance to revive their friendship. So on the Monday, Jane set out from Ferndean to London, she arrived just before twelve noon at Croftborne house in Piccadilly, Mayfair. A young boy servant answered the door and invited her into the house.

Croftborne house was like any house in Piccadilly. It faced a genteel street and opposite was a small park area that wasn't densly packed with trees. The front of the building appeared well maintained and Jane was not suprised the inside was also well looked after as well.

The theme of red was apparent in the front reception room where Jane was asked to wait for Mrs Fairfax to enter. She sat on a red velvet chair as she was fatigued from her journey. Even though she was showing signs of pregnancy, she had not reached the stage of confinement yet so travel was still something that was allowed by her medical man and her Edward.

Jane did not have to wait too long, before the familiar friendly voice of Mrs Fairfax greeted her 'Mrs Rochester, I am glad you have come. How was your journey?'

'Mrs Fairfax, how lovely to see you as well. My jouney was not too trying, but I am here now. Please, do call me Jane or Miss Jane as you used to.' She returned.

'My, it would not be fitting, for you for certain are Mrs Rochester now. I can see, you are with-child! My heartiest Congratulations, my dear. We shall remove to the warmer room, the morning room which is a bit more comfortable.' Mrs Fairfax passionately welcomed her guest, she was very pleased to meet Mrs Rochester.

The pair moved to the Morning room which was sizable room for a London Property. This room too was furnished with fashionable adornings having a homely feeling about it. She sat and Mrs Fairfax rang the service bell for tea to be brought up. Subsequently, tea was brought up and the pair sat on the lightly coloured sofas sipping tea. Jane remarked upon Mrs Fairfax's excellent taste in furniture and house to which Mrs Fairfax replied. 'Dear child,' she answered, 'Croftborne house is not my house, it is my dear friend, Miss Millicent Ashby's house.'

'I hope, Mrs Fairfax, that I have not offended your friend by imposing on you like this.' Jane answered.

'No, she was most happy for you to come, so you sharn't worry.'

'I suppose you would like to know of Mr Rochester as he has not come today.'

Jane's companion nodded and was desperate to know how he faired and why he was not here visiting her today. Jane told Mrs Fairfax about the events that happened after she had left Mr Rochester's service and gone to live with her friend. When told about the fire at Thornfield, and the injuries sustained by Mr Rochester. Mrs Fairfax felt sorry for her previous Master and hoped his recovery was coming along nicely. Jane nodded in the affirmative.

Also, Jane told her of her own time away, the fortune that she had inherited from her Uncle in Maderia and the three cousins that she had been so privileged to stay with - even if this was a coincidence. Of course, she stated the obvious that after some weeks of staying with Mr Rochester, they had married and were expecting their first child. 'I must remark on how well you look, Mrs Fairfax, your friend must have treated you well.'

Alice Fairfax nodded, 'Miss Ashby is one of my oldest friends. We both yearned for another's company so it was an excellent situation for both of us.' Jane agreed, they did seem quite close. 'So where is your residence now Mrs Rochester, now that Thornfield is no more?'

'We live at Fearndean, and are perfectly contented there.' Jane answered. At this point, both ladies had finished their tea and had moved onto the biscuits.

'Yes, quite a secluded spot of -shire,' Mrs Fairfax stated. 'I do agree it's a beautiful part of the world.'

Jane nodded in agreement 'Of course, we are quite fortunate to be there. Would it be too much to ask if we invited you to come to stay with us?'

At first Mrs Farifax was hesitant to answer, and she did not know how to feel about Jane's request. 'I ... would...'

Jane realised her blunder and she reasured Mrs Fairfax in her position 'Mrs Fairfax, please don't think that we are asking you to be housekeeper and we are asking you to come back into Mr Rochester's employ again. You have been discreet and faithful, I would really like us to renew our acquaintance.'

In the hallway, the clock rang to signal the hour and Jane was to run an errand for Mr Rochester at the oculist's so had to leave. On taking her leave of Mrs Fairfax, Mrs Fairfax said the she would 'think about it' and invited Jane to 'come back later' in answer to Jane's proposal as her feelings were confused.

Going away from the entrance hall where she waved Mrs Rochester off, Alice Fairfax was at a disgreement with herself. If, when she had visited the Rochesters on one occasion could compromise her independence away from the Rochester family that she now enjoyed. However, she remembered those times that she had Adele's company which proved to be delightful. Conversations that she had with Miss Jane were always the highlight of her day, she couldn't help but admit this.

When Miss Millicent Ashby returned from her errand in the heart of town, she found her friend pensive and at loggerheads with herself. She couldn't leave Alice like that and would strive to find out what the matter was.

Quietly, Miss Ashby sat in her usual spot in the Morning room and pretended to read for a decided second. Not so far from her, Alice Fairfax did not notice her come in she was in the middle of her thoughts. Until at last Miss Ashby had enough of her friend's silence and decided a conversation on the topic of her companion's visitor was in order. Mrs Fairfax proceeded to tell her friend of Mrs Rochester's visit today and how they wanted her to visit them up at Ferndean in --shire. She told her of her own insecurity in going to Ferndean as a visitor and not an employee for she felt she would feel out of place. At this Miss Ashby brought her to reason. Rationally, they spoke of this coming to a conclusion.

Meanwhile, Jane was at the oculist's collecting a prescription for Edward. She too felt the meeting with Mrs Fairfax has not gone as she has anticipated. Thus she failed to understand Mrs Fairfax's position between a servant and a lady of similar rank to herself or Rochester had made her particularly hesitant to accept her invite. Never would Jane understand this, she was and always had been Mr Rochester's equal even when she was s goveness so, she could never undersrand Mrs Fairfax's position. This lack of understanding prompted Jane to call on Mrs Fairfax again to see if she had changed her mind.

So that is exactly what she did. Having received Mr Rochester's presription from the Harley street oculist, she walked back to Piccadilly which was a plausable half hour away from Piccadilly, Mayfair. One thought was on her mind: how Mrs Fairfax was feeling. Forgotten were the pains of pregnancy, the only thought in her mind was Mrs Fairfax.

At last, the pleasant street came into view, Jane knocked on the door and was shown into the entrance hall of the house again by the servant. She was lead into the Morning room where she was announced and greeted by Mrs Fairfax and another lady.

'Ah, Miss Jane, you are back! Can I introduce Miss Millicent Ashby.' Mrs Fairfax

'Mrs Rochester, delighted to meet you.' Miss Ashby stepped forward and shook Jane's hand.

Jane sat down near to Mrs Fairfax and returned the pleasantry to Miss Ashby. She sat awaiting Mrs Farifax's reply. 'I suppose you would like my answer on my coming to Ferndean and I would like to visit. It will be nice to see Mr Rochester again.'

Jane smiled, she knew it would be just so 'That's great, I so look forward to your stay. Miss Ashby, I will also extend the invitation to you as well.' Miss Ashby nodded, she accepted the invite. With the difficult talk over, conversation became lighter and tensions were not as high.

That night, Jane stayed the night in Miss Ashby's fahionable London flat as she was with-child and both Ladies did not want her to risk a journey alone back to --shire. After all, she be carrying the Rochester heir. Jane was grateful she didn't need to travel straight away and found the companionship of Miss Ashby most agreeable. Noticing that Miss Ashby had much in common with Mrs Fairfax, she found their friendship most pleasing.

At breakfast the next morning, conversation at the table was agreeable. The ladies decided to depart after breakfast for --shire. Not only were they going to escort Jane home, they would visit the famous Mr Rochester. It was then that Jane realised, Mrs Fairfax really was an honourable lady.

I would really appreciate it if you would leave a review. This story used to be titled After. Though undergoing some changes and improvements it is now called as such. Stay tuned for Blanchè Ingram's views on the Rochester's Marriage.