By the end of the day all was moved into Jane and Edwards home. That was not to say however that everything had been moved into it's proper place. Furniture lay scattered in varying rooms, barrels and crates held items that no place had been designated for yet, and although they had begun early in the morning the job was no where near completion when the sun began to set.

The moving had worked up quite an appetite and so dinner was initiated with enthusiasm. Mr Rochester had given specific instructions that all were to eat at the same table tonight, no matter their station. And so the grand dining room table was laid for a dinner of 14 people. Jane was, at first, weary of this. Although her husband had the kindest intentions, he had perhaps not taken into account that these servants may never have eaten at a laid dining room table before. They may have been more weary and nervous to eat before their new master than pleased at the gesture. But to Jane's delight she found that she was quite wrong. Everyone ate with ease, gratitude and good nature. It was only the young boy, Louis, that ate without proper manners and he was readily checked by Ms Jennings, the housekeeper.

When supper was being finished and final fork fulls were being eaten Mr Rochester spoke to the table, taking Jane's hand.

"Thank you, everyone, for a hard days work and for sharing this first meal with us. My wife and I intend to speak to you all tomorrow in order to understand what duties you previously had in the house, and, which duties you will be continuing with in the future".

Jane smiled "We look forward to hearing from all tomorrow".

And with that, and many thanks, the servants swept from the room, all clearing the table as they went.

. . .

"You, Mr Rochester are a very unconventional master" Jane said as they ascended the staircase together.

"And why is that, Ms Jane?"

"Firstly, you marry your servant-"

"Governess" he corrected, "Never my servant"

"Governess, if that is the name you prefer to give to your servant".

He shot her a warning look.

"And then you keep a house where you eat with your new household and plan to meet with the servants in order to better understand what work they are capable of rather than simply allowing them to continue with what tasks they had before"

"Well they ate tonight with us because they worked hard today and if they had to serve us dinner first they would have eaten far too late. As for choosing their own duties, well seeing as it is only me and you, and we have 6 servants each, I am sure work can be delegated based on need and ability. I have a feeling some of the servants here have been previously overworked".

Jane kissed his lips softly as they reached their bedroom door.

"You are very kind" she said, softly.

"It is you, temptress, your effect is wearing off on me" he teased.

Jane undressed quickly that night, eager to get into bed. When she was left in just her slip, she climbed into the cold sheets of the bed and pulled them up around herself. It felt relaxing to just be still, to be doing nothing besides laying in bed. She thought her body may dissolve into the mattress, never to reemerge.

'Husband you best be quick. I am freezing" Jane called, shivering slightly.

Her husband laughed lowly and walked towards the bed just in his undershirt. As he passed in front of the fire the light illuminated his frame under the thin material of the shirt and Jane sighed. He climbed over Jane, swinging one leg on either side of her.

"Thank you for everything today, Jane. For your patience with this blind blunderer" he said, seriously.

Jane reached her fingers up to brush a curl away from his face.

"Shh" she soothed "I would do it one hundred times over if only it meant I could spend that time with you".

He leaned in to kiss her passionately, driving her gently down into the pillows. Jane suddenly did not feel so cold. As the kiss broke he fell to her side onto the bed and sighed deeply.

Jane lay in silence for a minute, looking up at the ceiling peacefully. She did not know a moment in her life where she felt more overwhelmed with all that she did not deserve. How did she, small, quaint, insignificant Jane Eyre end up with this life that lay before her. How had she earned a life where she could ask for nothing in the world she was in want of?

Jane turned towards her husband but as she did she saw that he was fast asleep, laying on his stomach, his face resting peacefully on the blankets. Smiling to herself, she pulled the blankets up around him so he would not wake up cold. She kissed his hand which lay close to her and was asleep herself within moments.