Not very long into the afternoon John and Leah entered the library where Jane was reading. She had not noticed them at first, she was too enveloped in the book she happily grazed through. It was a book on world religions, and she was fascinated by it. She knew that Mr Rochester was much more well read than her in this matter and so she hoped to catch up to him so that they could discuss it together. When Jane did not immediately notice John he coughed softly and Jane turned to look at him.
"I'm sorry John, Leah, I did not notice you there"
"Pardon miss, but a miss Eshton has just arrived. She claimed to be the new wife of Mr Rochester's old friend and so we let her into the drawing room, I hope that was alright miss".
Jane smiled "Thank you very much John, it was very kind of you".
"Will you want tea?" Leah asked, knowingly.
"I think that would be a very good idea, thank you very much".
Jane laid down her book, smoothed her dress as she stood up and descended the stairs until rounding the corner of the drawing room to see Ms Eshton sitting, looking around the room fixedly.
"Hello" called Jane happily, entering the room.
Anne Eshton stood quickly,
"Jane, I hope you do not think me imprudent to come without an invitation"
" I only hope you do not think me rude to wait so long before inviting you over. You see, the new house has many duties that Edward and I are still working out. Well, I should say that Edward is working out, for I know how none of it works. Do forgive me".
Anne shook her head, "Oh no, it was not rude at all to wait, indeed I came over because Mr Rochester suggested it. Mr Eshton and Mr Rochester are at meetings together today in town and Mr Rochester offered to take him in his carriage so if I indeed wanted to go out this afternoon I would not be stranded in my house. He suggested I come here, if I was lonely for he said you would love the company"
"And he was very right, I am glad you've come, please sit"
As they sat together Leah entered with a tray of tea. She walked over and proudly placed it on the table between Jane and her guest.
"Thank you very much Leah, you always lay the prettiest arrangement for the tea. Far lovelier than I could lay it". Leah looked quite contented with herself as she thanked Jane and left the room contented.
There was silence as Jane prepared the tea, finally Anne spoke, and the words burst enthusiastically from her lips.
"Oh Jane, I think your house to be absolutely beautiful. Perhaps the prettiest house I have ever been in. It is so bright, and airy. The windows are so large, the art so delicate-", she turned to look at her "I fear I am quite jealous. Every inch of this home feels as if it were made with specifically you in mind".
"You flatter me, Anne. I have never had my own home, and so I wanted to make this home right though I had no experience in doing so. Edward of course depends on comfort and ease of layout, for his eyes compromise him, and so that was the difficulty in finding a house. And yet, he surprised me by finding this home"
"You are not serious" Anne said in surprise, sipping her tea. "Well, he has surprisingly good taste".
Jane smiled, drinking her own tea.
"So, Anne, how are you?"
She asked simply because she noticed that although Anne was happy she looked almost surprised at the idea of company. Jane suspected it had been her first house call in quite some time.
"I am well, thank you. It is so strange, and wonderful I may add, to see a friend. It has been far too long".
"Well then I beg you, do not be a stranger here, you are most welcome, anytime".
Anne smiled gratefully and Jane felt she was genuinely willing to take up that prospect.
Anne and Jane spoke about nearly everything that afternoon. It was therapeutic for both women to have another woman to confide in, to tell her of wishes and concerns and perhaps even dreams for the future. Jane truly enjoyed Anne's insights and comments. She was more frivolous, and less serious than Jane, and thus she always had a different point of view. Jane believed that Anne liked her for similar reasons, and thus the two spoke freely, and happily.
Finally, Jane asked what had been hanging in the front of Anne's mind all afternoon. The subject she had not touched on, and yet was an understatement in all she said regarding her current life.
"How are you and Mr Eshton? How is married life treating you now?"
Anne shifted uncomfortably in her chair and paused and started several times before fully answering.
"I know I am a disappointment to him now. I know that I am not the type of wife he was expecting, nor wished for. He loves me, and I love him, that I am sure of. For sometimes we laugh so much I cry. But in serious matters of married life, we are distant. Laughter can be filled by friendship, ease can come from friendship-"
Her voice dropped into almost a whisper.
"I do not know if it is the same for yourself Jane, but in the bedchamber we are intimate so infrequently, and when we are he finishes very quickly and then turns over and falls asleep. I know that I am the mere mode for him to reach what a man needs. And yet to me, it feels almost as if it were a chore. I wish for him to be pleased with me, and yet I cannot help but imagine he does not feel that way towards me for he senses how I feel about the matter. When we sleep sometimes I am cold at night for he sleeps on the other side of the bed, I can feel no heat from him".
But in looking at Jane she paused, shaking her head.
"Perhaps all are silly complaints. So many women are mistreated in their marital chambers. My husband is good and he does not hurt me, nor does he complain. And this I should not-"
"Anne, if you have any reason to be dissatisfied in your marriage you are not wrong to voice a concern. It is not the sort of relationship in which you should not feel alone".
"You are right, Jane, in a perfect world. But in my reality I am a lucky woman compared to most and thus I have no right to complain".
"And yet, a married couples bedchamber does not mean you serve him, or even he serves you. It is a relationship between two people, two souls, and it must be understood in that way if you are to be satisfied".
"Which I see you are, Jane".
She blushed deeply, knowing she had given away indirectly several insights into her own marital relationship. She could speak with confidence, and she knew she spoke as a woman who was loved and respected.
"I love him with my whole heart"
Anne tilted her head, smiling sadly.
"I can tell you do. I can see it in the way he glances your way, in the way his face lights up when he hears your voice. In the way his fingers always search for yours when you are near. What a marriage filled with such love would feel like, I know not".
"I do not say such things to cause sadness of jealousy, Anne. What I wish to say is that without confiding in Mr Eshton you give up your power. Perhaps he does not understand the ways he is affecting you, and perhaps a conversation is all he would need to change that. Edward and I experienced what it is like to be dishonest in a relationship, and it is the most destructive force you can impose on yourselves. You deserve to be heard, and indeed you are lucky, for he is a good man who I know will listen to you. So many women are in relationships where there is no possibility of that".
"On our wedding night" she began, looking to Jane almost apologetically "when we consummated the marriage, he seemed to know what to do, and I knew nothing. I still feel I know nothing. So you see it is my fault I cannot satisfy him, for he seemed to know in what ways he could satisfy himself. How could I tell him such a thing makes me unhappy?"
Jane momentarily thought of her own wedding night- how she had been reassured by Edward when she confided in him that she did not know what to do. He told her to abandon all expectations, he had asked for her trust. He had been beyond loving and gentle. Not one moment of that night had been for him, it was for her. He adhered to every wish of hers, every emotion. He took pleasure in listening to her sounds, in touching her where she wished him to touch. He had protected her.
What a stark contrast to the shaken Anne Eshton.
Jane reached over and took her hand, smiling encouragingly.
"When you are unhappy, Anne, forever can be a very long time. Do not be afraid to ask for his understanding'.
Anne's eyes shone with tears, Jane did not know that anyone had every cared about her enough to be so honest.
"Thank you, Jane. You are truly the best friend I could have asked for".