This scene belongs in the beginning of chapter 20, after everyone goes to bed the night of Mr. Mason's arrival.

I slept soundly, if only briefly, the night of Richard Mason's unexpected arrival. I sat up late with him, drinking, and reminiscing on our shared past. He apprised me of the changes that had transformed my former Jamaican home in my absence. The subject interested me, not that I ever cared to return to that horrid island. He was eager to see his sister, but I put him off. It was not a seasonable hour to intrude upon her. It had been years since he had last seen her, her mental state had deteriorated. I doubted she would recognize him. I wanted him to be prepared. Most importantly, I wanted my guests out of the house when the meeting occurred. I assured him I would begin to make the arrangements tomorrow. He had had a long journey and I saw that he was fading in his chair from fatigue and the effects of the wine we shared. When I proposed that we retire he assented, and I bid him goodnight.

In my own chamber I fell asleep quickly. The day had been a long one and I was weary. I thought surely my gypsy ruse would have worked on Jane. She would not express her feelings for me directly, But I thought perhaps she would at least affirm them when directly questioned by the old Cybill. But Jane was incredulous. She would place no confidence in the gypsy's power. Even when, in my disguise, I had described her habits precisely as I had witnessed them. She was impressed by my witch's skill but remained cool and skeptical throughout the interview. She would not confess her sentiments, she remained resolute. It was almost as if she would not allow the indulgence of admitting it, even to herself. She had expressed concern for me, friendship, loyalty, but not what I truly wanted, her love.

Something roused me and I started awake. A figure loomed over me, a dark silhouette. I felt a hand upon my chest. My heart seized. It was Bertha! Come to make a second attempt to murder me in my sleep! I struck out forcefully. I captured her wrists and flung her beneath me, pinning her onto the bed.

"Bertha no! Stop this!" I shouted.

But it wasn't Bertha. The figure was too small, and was making no attempt to harm me, or escape my grasp. I blinked repeatedly as my eyes adjusted to the light. I shook my head, forcing my mind to clear.

"Jane?!" I relaxed my hold.

"I'm sorry sir, I never should have..." She started, but I cut her off.

"Jane, forgive me. You woke me from a nightmare." I was shaken, I scanned the room in disbelief, my heart racing, still wary of danger.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No sir," and beginning to apologize again she said, "I'm sorry sir, I was wrong to disturb you, I will go."

"No!" I ejaculated abruptly, clutching her arm. I calmed my voice. "Stay with me. Here, lay close to me, pull the coverlet about you."

She settled next to me, resting her head on my chest. My fingers combed through her hair. I loved the feel of it, like silk. It was one of the little comforts I was already growing accustomed to when alone with her.

The moon was bright, and full, shining through the great mullioned windows of my chamber. Its light filled the room, casting odd angled shadows on the rug. I watched it as we passed a quarter of an hour in relaxed silence.

Holding her in that manner, it was more intimate than I would have thought. I had never had a woman in this bed, in my home. Yet here she was, and of her own accord. Eleven years had passed since my return from Jamaica. Since then I had viewed the house with nothing but abhorrence. I never resided there longer than could be helped. It was tainted with my shame and shrouded my secrets. It stood as a testament to the betrayal of my wretched father. And I had degraded it further, turning it into an asylum for my wife, and my unfaithful mistress's bastard daughter. But Jane had changed all that. Her presence in my life washed away my sin. She provided a motive to forget the troubles of the past, and instead look toward better days. I wondered if this was what it could be like for us, every night as man and wife.

"Jane, why have you come to me tonight?" I asked.

"I was unable to sleep, and I wished to be near you. You were so troubled when I told you of Mr. Mason's arrival."

"And so you came to accost me in my bed?"

She bristled at my words.

"If you wish to mock me sir, I will go."

She attempted to sit up, but I restrained her, pulling her firmly against me.

"No, don't leave me. I may as well take advantage of your unexpected apparition. While laying here I have been considering all the ways in which I would like to make love to you. I am resolved that tonight I shall take my time. I will venerate your body, savoring every blissful moment." I began to remove her nightdress.

"I want to see the moonlight on your skin. Fairies thrive in moonlight, do they not? Practicing their arts, spreading their rings -lift your hips." I said as I pulled the fabric up her body, then over her head. "I'm sure you will be quite at home among them."

She shrank under my direct inspection. She would need some encouragement.

"You are so beautiful Jane -no don't deny it." I insisted in response to her expression. My hand cupped her cheek and I kissed her softly, my tongue gliding over her lips. The kiss was gentle, with a hint of demand, a promise of all that was to come.

"I was a fool when I declared you were no beauty, you must forgive me my ignorance. Now that I have come to know you, I have found there is much to admire."

I slid my hand possessively over her breast.

"These breasts, so wonderfully firm, yet soft, and ripe." Her nipple hardened as I circled it with my thumb.

"And these perfect nipples. Look how it hardens at my touch." I sighed, "There is no help for it, my mouth yearns to taste." My lips closed over it, my tongue stroked, then I gently sucked.

I moved to kiss her neck. I traced my fingers along her collar bone.

"Your neck, your delicate shoulders, they remind me of the statues housed in the museums of Rome. Yet all the better, for yours are not cut from cold stone, but of warm supple flesh." I nipped at her shoulder as my hand ran down her body to cup her voluptuous ass.

"And here," I chuckled. She could not help but giggle as I groped her flesh. "Much improved of late, to my delight, with regular meals, and a healthy appetite."

I drew my hand forward over her taught belly. I briefly allowed myself the indulgence of imagining her with child. Her breasts swollen and her skin oversensitive to every touch. Perhaps in time, I mused silently.

I rubbed my hand down her hip then, up between her legs. She gasped as my fingers gently parted her.

"And here Jane, you are always so eager for my touch." My fingers slid into her, and she moaned.

"Yes, my fairy. It's your passion that I desire most. How I love to hear you moan as I pleasure you." I looked into her eyes.

"How shall I pleasure you tonight?"

I alighted from the bed to remove my nightshirt. I wanted to feel her body against mine without any encumbrances.

She watched me. The moonlight revealed my form as well as hers. With my back to her, I moved slowly. I pulled my nightshirt over my head, consciously flexing my shoulders as I did. I was middle aged, but my limbs were long and toned from regular exercise. I was an excellent horseman, and fencer. I turned to her and watched her eyes as they swept over my chest then focused on my cock. I must confess my pride and vanity were bolstered when I saw she obviously approved.

Leaning over her, I whispered, "Little girl, I'm going to give you more pleasure than you can possibly imagine."

I laid both my hands upon her breasts, squeezing her flesh, teasing her nipples until they were puckered and stiff. I pinched one between my thumb and forefinger, slowly increasing the pressure until she squirmed and protested aloud. She brought her hands up to fend off my assault. I forced them away, then released her nipple, soothing the ache with a gentle caress. I repeated the process on the other breast, this time palliating the ache with my tongue.

"Isn't it strange how pain can precipitate such pleasure?" I murmured.

I traced my fingers over her cheek, down her neck and shoulder, then up the length of her upstretched arm. The transient sensation caused her skin to prickle with goose flesh. I rubbed her arms, chafing and warming the skin. I swept my fingers down her chest grazing the side of her breast. I planted a trail of gentle kisses down her body as I shifted down the bed. My hand stroked her abdomen, and I paused briefly to dip my tongue into her navel, then continued down to stroke her thigh. I spread her legs and leaned my mouth close to her. She tilted up in greedy anticipation, but I would not allow her the gratification of my touch, not yet.

"How eager you are," I taunted.

I watched her expression, as I tempted her with the warmth of my breath over her heated center. My mouth hovering half an inch from her skin, denying her the pleasure she craved.

"Is this what you want, my fairy, my mouth, here?"

"Yes" she gasped.

"Denial increases expectation and heightens the eventual pleasure of release." I teased. "You must be patient Jane. I will give you what you desire... in due course."

Ignoring her pouts, I continued downward taking her foot in my hand. I drew my thumb sharply across the sole. She started and kicked her leg into my chest involuntarily.

"Very sensitive," I chuckled as I massaged her foot and calf. I kissed it, then scraped my teeth gently over her instep. I took her smallest two toes in my mouth and sucked. She giggled and pulled hard against my grasp. I released her in my own time, I would not be rushed.

I ran my hands up her thighs.

"Now, my fairy, I'm going to spread your legs and lick your tight little cunt mercilessly until you beg me for release." I smiled as I watched her whole body flush. It was so easy to provoke her with scandalous words.

"Remember Jane, I will have you beg for it."

I parted her legs to massage her thighs and the outer flesh of her sex. My hands were slow, and gentle, all the while taking great pains to avoid the place where she most desired my touch.

"Why do you torment me?" she sighed, she was becoming impatient.

"What would you have me do Jane?" I asked impudently as I kissed the inside of her thigh.

I was being overtly insufferable, I wanted to force her to speak her request aloud, wanted to hear her beg and plead for the services of my mouth. I slid my hands down her belly, making a wide sweep over her hips and down her inner thighs, forsaking her center. She groaned in frustrated agony.

My hands began another sweep and she blurted out,

"Please sir, touch me," her face was burning scarlet.

I obliged, rewarding her acquiescence by probing my fingers into her. She ground her pelvis against my hand desperate for more.

"Is this what you wanted Jane?" I stroked inside her and circled my thumb over that sweet sensitive clit. She moaned in delight, finally getting what she desired.

"Yes."

I steadily built her pleasure until she was writhing, and expectant. When I sensed she was nearing completion I arrested my efforts. She looked at me in confusion. I glanced back at her with mocked concern. Then I began again, stroking inside her.

"Jane, do you want me to make you come?"

Her eyes were closed, she bit her lip, as she nodded. "Yes," she groaned.

I was trailing her, my touch was soothing and gentle, it was enough to provoke but not adequate to meet her desire.

"Please sir," she whispered, "your mouth... I want your mouth."

God she was wonderful.

"Had I been made of iron I could not refuse such a request," I smiled.

I brought my mouth to her, flicking my wet tongue over her tortured little bud. Her body tensed as her pleasure built. Aroused as she was it was not long until she was frantic. She was ready to let go and fall into it when, as before I suddenly stopped. I paused my efforts entirely when she was on the very threshold. She groaned and scowled at me in frustrated irritation. It was so provocative; I couldn't help but enjoy her pouting.

"Now Jane don't be cross." I chastised.

"Sir!?" She questioned me, obviously irritated.

"Shhhh," I soothed then returned to my task, pleasuring her with my hand and my mouth. She was primed with need as my tongue teased and my fingers provoked.

"Please sir..." She moaned "for the love of heaven, don't stop!"

"I told you I would have you beg. Let me hear it. Beg me to make you come."

She was at the very point of pleasure, the slightest effort from me would bring her to completion.

"Oh, please sir. Please Mr. Rochester."

Mercifully I capitulated. I drove her to the ecstasy she longed for. She quivered violently, and cried out as the pleasure suffused her body. The intensity of it was overwhelming.

She was still shaking as drove my cock into her. I gave her no quarter, thrusting against the spasms as her sex clenched around me. I fucked her again and again, my purpose was fixed. I wanted more, and I would be satisfied.

I forced her to turn prone on the mattress.

"On your knees," I demanded brusquely, as I pulled her hips up. I groped her ass and plunged my cock into her. A satisfied groan escaped my throat. Her cries of pleasure were muffled as the unanticipated force pushed her forward, pressing her face into the mattress. I coveted the shockingly glorious sensation, my cock penetrating to the hilt. At my instruction, she braced her arms against the bed head and leaned back to meet each powerful thrust.

I took my pleasure, fiercely driving into her, with groans and feral growls. I reached forward, strumming my fingers over her clit.

"Come for me, like this, with my cock deep within you."

She convulsed around my member as her pleasure broke a second time. (Slap) Her moans turned into a startled shriek as my palm struck her ass. The sharp sting enhancing the sweet pleasure of her release.

"Oh God" she cried as it swept through her.

"Yes," I gasped as I came, anointing the hollow of her back with my spendings.

I fell to the mattress and gathered her close in my arms.

"My dearest Jane," I praised, kissing her face between triumphant panting breaths.

We lay together quietly for a time, then she began to speak, timidly, "Sir, will you tell me? Is it right for you to act in that way?"

"What way?"

She gathered her nerve. "I mean, from behind, like an animal. It seems rather savage does it not?"

I laughed heartily at the question, and she smiled at me. I grazed my teeth over her earlobe, then spoke in a direct and serious tone.

"I will make love to you in whatever manner I choose. In any form that will bring us both pleasure. Besides Jane, you seemed rather to enjoy it." Turning onto my back, I pulled her atop me.

"I know you are no horse woman, but perhaps in future you might enjoy riding astride me." I bucked my hips making her bounce.

She shrieked and giggled as she fought to maintain her seat.

"Should we try it now sir?" She teased.

My stomach dropped at her bold suggestion.

"Have mercy Jane. I'm not the young man I used to be. You will have to give me some time to recover."

"I think you are quite in your prime sir" she said, tracing her fingers through the soft hairs covering my chest.

Dear God, what was this? I had to reward her for her newfound confidence.

"Fine praise from my Jane, come here." I smiled, then pulled her hips forward.

She shimmied up my body a few inches. She thought I was intimating that she should lean down to kiss me. She attempted to do so but was momentarily confused when I prevented this by pulling her further forward.

"Come here," I repeated more forcefully, continuing to pull her up my body until she was perched kneeling above my face. I rubbed my stubbled jaw against the inside of her thigh. I placed gentle kisses there.

"Your skin is so soft." I mused, the mirth was gone from my voice. My lips and chin teased each smooth expanse of skin. I closed my eyes, then with delicate care I kissed the swollen lips of her sex again and again.

"I love to kiss you here." I slid my hands up the back of her thighs and cupped her ass. "My desire for you is never sated."

My tongue lathed slowly between her folds, parting them until I found her clit. I danced around it while I gently sucked.

"I never tire of pleasing you, hearing your moans and whimpers. Knowing that only I have seen you like this. That I alone have touched you and tasted your wetness."

My mouth was slow and gentle, gone was the frantic energy, the heated urgency. There was no demand, only the sweet pleasure I languidly drew from her. Her head fell back, and she closed her eyes. Shutting out all else, focusing only on the feel of my mouth. She was bathed in moonlight, her hair spilling over her shoulders, falling in glorious hazel waves down her back. I cherished her, I wanted her to feel how truly desired and beautiful she was in my eyes. My hands ran up and down her body stroking her skin, finding her breasts, massaging her thighs, caressing the small of her back. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, my tongue quickened so that it was impossible to say when my efforts had shifted from docile to determined. She gripped the bed head for support. She was rocking her delicious cunt against my face. She paused, suddenly rigid.

"That's right my little fairy," I smiled as I made her pleasure come in a climax that tore at her soul.

"I love to watch you come, you're so lovely, so beautiful." I exalted, as she shivered above me.

"Here now, when you've had it all out, lie next to me."

After several moments she did so, settling her back against my chest, content in the aftereffects of her climax. I took her hand in mine and placed it on my cock.

"Will you touch me? I want you to stroke me."

My hand over hers, I directed her, showing her how she should please me. I guided her until she understood. Her fingers wrapped around me, stroking me gently until I was again fully hard for her. She stroked up my length, then circled the tip with her thumb before drawing down again. She experimented, varying the pressure, speed, and rhythm. I encouraged her, instructing how I preferred to be touched.

I caressed her breast with one hand, slowly bringing the other down to rub between her thighs. We lay there for a long while, enjoying the relaxing ease of shared sensations. Eventually I pulled her thigh up over mine and entered her. Making love to her slowly, sensuously. I kissed her neck. She turned her face towards me, and I kissed her cheek.

"Mr. Rochester...," she moaned.

"Edward," I whispered. "I want to hear my name from your lips."

"Edward," she sighed.

Hearing my name uttered in her soft voice revitalized my energy.

I shifted, positioning myself atop her, entering her with more force.

"Again. Say it again," I demanded.

"Edward, yes, Edward," she cried as her pleasure grew with each thrust. I pressed her knees down against her chest spreading her wider, angling her hips back so I could sink further into her depths. Her eyes held me captive. She reached up gripping my hair, pulling my mouth to hers.

"Harder." She pleaded.

God she was glorious, I drove into her with every ounce of energy I possessed until I heard her moaning with release.

I withdrew, kneeling over her, I placed her hand on my pulsing cock.

"Quickly, make me come." I urged. She stroked me rapidly and firmly until I erupted with pleasure and spent on her belly. I kissed her face.

"You are my salvation Jane." I confessed. Her eyes filled with emotion as she reached up and stroked my hair from my brow. "I lo-"

Then Good God! What a cry! The silent moonlit night was shattered by an horrific scream that suffused the entire Hall. It was Bertha, and she was not alone. With cold dread I listened to the struggle that followed. A thrashing, thumping, tumbling struggle ensued from the room above my chamber ceiling.

I heard Mason's fearful cries, "Help! help! help! "Will no one come?" Then his pathetic plea, "Rochester! Rochester! for God's sake, come!"

"God dam you Richard!" I swore as I sprang from the bed. Cursing, I hurriedly dressed. I flung Jane's nightdress at her.

"Quickly, return by the servants passage." I indicated the door. Before she could dress, I was out and rushing to the third story.