Town was unusually busy that morning, so Diana and Mary experienced the true life of a vibrant town. Several people stopped to talk with Jane, and she introduced them to her companions. Jane was proud to introduce them, they were sensible, kind and friendly souls. Then they moved with pleasure from shop to shop, commenting on all that they saw.
"Who on earth would this suit?" Mary asked, holding up a rather elaborate gold bonnet brimming with roses and flowers of every color imaginable. Jane took it from her and placed it on her head, grinning.
"Me?"
"Jane remove that at once, you look ridiculous. Far too pretty for that gaudy hat".
Smiling, she laid it back on the rack and joined Diana, who had already chosen the fabric for Jane's new dress.
At that moment, the door to the shop opened and Blanch Ingram swept inside. At first Jane did not believe her eyes, it was a very surreal experience. She looked very out of place in the store, for she was dressed as if she were heading to a ball. Her pink satin dress, her red jewels, and elaborately arranged hair all looked very odd in the early morning. As she turned and her eyes fell on Jane she looked genuinely shocked. She could not easily hide her dissatisfaction as Jane could, and so her greeting was much colder then she intended it to be.
"Ms Eyre, what a surprise, though I believe I am to call you another name now"
"Hello Ms Ingram" Jane said, perfectly kindly. "I do indeed hold another name now".
"I must say- I am still surprised. When Mama told me the news I considered all factors and yet I could not find reason within it"
"Reason within what, Ms Ingram?"
"Well, your union of course. I know it was quite the dramatic departure when you left poor Thornfield. Yet I never expected you to return to him, not with the way he lied to you".
Jane felt a fury rising within her. How dare she make comment so lightly on such a devastating event for Jane.
"Whatever both our faults were in the past, he has well atoned for it since and has more than made it up in kindness".
"I do not know that I could be so forgiving-"
"Well then, it is fortunate it is not your approval he seeks" Jane said, still reasonably, and yet very firm.
Blanch Ingram looked taken aback.
"Well, I myself am fortunate to only have suitors at present. They benefit my cause far better than a husband could. They wish to treat me like a princess, and like a princess is what I believe I am entitled to".
Jane smiled, "Then I am glad to hear you are contented"
"Oh yes, of course. I am always contented".
Jane knew this to be a lie, and yet she also suspected half of what came out of Blanche's mouth was a lie.
"And do you now live in this part of the country?"
"Good heavens, no. I reside in London now. I am here on a quaint visit of a friend, a Lord Kingston. Do you know him?"
"I am afraid I do not"
"That is indeed an awful shame. Perhaps some time you two shall cross paths"
"Indeed, perhaps someday".
At that very moment, Diana and Mary, who had clearly been listening to the conversation, came over and stood beside Jane.
"Ms Ingram, these are my two very good companions, Diana and Mary Rivers".
"It is a pleasure" they said together, smiling upon her warmly but secretly mulling over her unpleasant character, Jane was sure.
"How sweet you two are" Blanch said, in a condescending tone. "I am glad to see Ms Eyre has some friends"
"Ms Rochester" Jane corrected, "And now, if you'll excuse us, we must pay for this and be on our way".
It was not until Jane turned that Blanch saw that she was pregnant. If she was unable to hide her surprise before it was nothing to how she looked now. Blanch looked as if she had swallowed something unpleasant whole, and Jane, smiling small to herself, paid for the fabric easily.
"Thank you, have a good day" Jane said to the clerk. "And goodbye, Ms Ingram".
She was unable to reply. Surprise and anger still lingered on her face as Jane said goodbye to her and promptly left the store.
The walk home was filled with laughter.
. . .
Jane did not mention her encounter in town until later that night. Indeed, Edward was out in the stables with Louis when Jane arrived home and remained here until dinner where they spoke of happier topics, and of Diana and Mary's first experiences in town. The girls had spent the evening designing the dresses they were to make for Jane. Although Jane could sew, Diana and Mary had a particular talent for it, and thus were to be far more trusted with the task. Mr Rochester did sit with them in the evening-though he read, he often chimed in conversation to everyone's delight. Jane always thought her husband was quite the celebrity with others around, and often outshone whoever he was in the room with.
"You know, I had quite the encounter this afternoon in town" Jane said, laying her final items of clothing to the side as she undressed.
As Jane sat on the edge of the bed, Edward knelt before her and slowly removed her stockings.
"Which encounter was this?"
"I ran into Blanch Ingram"
Edward froze to look at Jane.
"By god, that is not a name I have thought of in quite some time. What could she possibly have been doing here?"
"She was visiting a Lord Kingston"
"Ah" he said, tossing her stockings aside and standing up with some passion "It all makes sense now. The most unfeeling, unsympathetic man on this side of the country".
"Well, she has not much changed-"
"How could she? Selfish people never change".
Jane climbed into bed eagerly. She had been feeling slightly off in the evening and was ready to sleep. Edward soon joined her and they stayed up talking for a long time. There was nothing in the world Jane loved more than simply talking to her husband. Eventually however, they fell into a peaceful sleep. When Jane woke however, she was hit with a devastation she could never have imagined.