A/n: I have left this fic alone for too long. However, I am working on finishing this one way or another. To those still reading this, thank you for sticking around. It's greatly appreciated. I got another chapter that I need to finish editing, but it should be up soon. I hope you enjoy.
As of Dec 5, 2020 this chapter was edited for clarity, to fix spelling and grammar, as well as other errors.
Chapter 15: Confusion
It was not often that Jane would find herself at a loss for words, but when she did, it was because the utter shock of what had been heard or seen was beyond her current comprehension. It was not to be borne; to believe that his thoughts, feelings, and actions could be because of her; to be so much like her own. "Pepper, that is nonsense."
"How Jane? You are an eligible lady."
"That may be true, but…"
"It would not be unheard of." Pepper suggested. "These things happen all the time."
"You know how I feel about romance."
"Oh, but do you not see it? How lovely it would be? How romantic it is, the brooding, his concealed affections which burn as hot as his forge. Why have I not seen it before? It makes sense. Why else would he act as such?"
"You are mistaken because he could never…"
"But Jane, how do you know?"
"Pepper, that is… I must go. There are duties I must attend to before the sun sets."
Before Pepper could say another word, Jane had escaped her midst. The truth of the matter was there were no other duties she had to attend to; Jane had only wanted to escape the frustration of the absurd conversation. If she had cared to listen to such speeches, then a trip to her parent's quarters would have been sufficient enough. However, unlike her mother, Pepper spoke with an honest heart, albeit with a lack of tact. Still, to allow oneself to get carried away with such dreams while working to the bone to achieve foreseeable goals, there was not much room for such distractions; no matter how desirable they may seem.