Days passed in which Jane only felt marginally better each morning. Not contented with laying in bed, Jane took to reorganizing the library with her free time. Indeed, she had nothing but free time. She had enlisted the help of her husband so that he could prove useful and not feel unhelpful, yet including him seemed to complicate the whole process as it took him much longer to accomplish a task then it would have taken Jane. Still, she did not mind in the slightest, in fact, it kept them both very happy.
Jane reentered the study, struggling to balance her arms filled with books, and found Ms Jennings handing Mr Rochester a bundle of bound letters. He thanked her, and she bowed to Jane briefly before exiting the room.
"Shall I read them to you?" Jane asked, laying down the books in her arms on a nearby table.
"Please do! My arms feel like lead from all the hauling of books"
Jane smiled as he sat in his armchair by the fire. It was a cold fall day, and it was a welcomed warmth. She sat beside him in her armchair and was handed the stack of letters. The first three were of a business nature, Mr Rochester cursing them all in turn. Jane couldn't help but grin at him impassioned response to the rather mundane letters.
"Oh Jane, do not torture me further. Please, read on" he said, tapping the stack still in her hands. Smiling, she continued.
"There is one from Mr Eshton!' Jane said, and Mr Rochester's face contorted in surprise.
"Eshton? Why on earth would he be writing for?"
Jane opened the envelope and slid out the letter, reading aloud
"Rochester,
It has been too long. I believe we are both greatly changed men since we saw each other last. Married men we are! I married but last month and moved into your own county where you reside with your own Ms Rochester. I was thrilled when I heard the news. My wife was too, for she is eager to meet a new friend and my old one. You and Ms Rochester are to join us for tea this Friday afternoon, I shall hear no objections. Please send a response as soon as possible, I await it eagerly.
Eshton".
. . .
Friday afternoon found Jane and Edward in a carriage, driving towards Mr Eshtons new home.
Edward had absolutely refused the idea at first, and indeed he refused it until he received Mr Eshton's response to a letter Jane had sent unknown to him saying that they would be there Friday afternoon. Jane knew that although he may be cross at first, he could not remain in his house forever. But to her surprise he seemed to have taken courage in her belief that he wasn't broken down enough to remain locked away, and so he welcomed the chance to see an old friend.
The carriage ride was perhaps half of an hour, not far at all. The area was not large at all, and so the Rochester's and the Eshton's boarded on both sides of the county's limits.
"Jane, do you remember when he took the carriage into Milcote and you refused to take my hand?" Edward asked, suddenly.
"Indeed, for I wanted to keep you at bay"
"Holding hands is no bold act, Jane. You wore gloves for pity's sake!"
"I know. In truth it was because I did not know to what degree I could trust myself under your influence"
He laughed a masculine laugh and played with her bare fingers in his.
"Jane, to think then all I knew of you were your hands and your face"
She blushed slightly, she felt so safe in his confidence. She trusted him with everything. Even the most intimate act of trusting her body to him was an easy and natural one.
"Now" he began "I do not know the timid girl who refused to take my hand. Now your hand in always entwined in mine, or resting on my arm. It is a permanent state of guidance you so willingly give".
"I do not wish it for a moment to be any other way" she assured him, "not for an instant".
He smiled reflectively, turning to her.
"And we shall brace this tea together as well?"
Jane kissed his cheek. "Precisely".