The next morning Edward was immediately swept into meetings after breakfast which held him for the whole of the morning. Jane took to repairing the edge of one of her dresses which had needed some attention for quite some time, for it had started to fray. The rip was significant, and, not being on the seam, Jane had much work to do in order to restore it without notice. Indeed, she was still working on it when the bedroom door opened and Edward entered without her notice. She was singing to herself, much more confidently then she would if she had known someone was present. It was a song with a beautiful melody, one which rang through her head whenever she heard it sung.

"Believe me if all those
Endearing young charms
Which I gaze on so fondly today
Were to change by tomorrow
And fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts fading away
Though would'st still be adored
As this moment thou art
Let thy loveliness fade as it will
And around the dear ruin
Each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself
Verdantly still".

"You are singing my song!" Edward cried, happily.

Jane turned quickly, blushing deeply. It was indeed the song he sang to her very often. It was an old Irish folksong, no doubt appealing to him for the mention of the fairy ways and of enduring love. Jane was suddenly struck by the stark comparison between his voice being so light and soft as he sang, and her own blundering version.

"I have made the melody heavy handed and very unromantic"

He laughed, but quickly encouraged her,

"Of course you have not. Please, sing me the second verse"

She was about to say no, but he anticipated it and gave her an irresistible look of encouragement.

"It is not while beauty
And youth are thine own
And thy cheeks
Unprofaned by a tear
That the ferver and faith
Of a soul can be known
To which time will but
Make thee more dear"

She paused, momentarily forgetting how the lyrics continued. When she looked to Edward for help he was beaming so wide she thought he may envelop the whole world in his happiness. Easily, he joined in, signing lightly so that it was primarily her voice that could be heard.

"No the heart that has truly loved
Never forgets
But as truly loves
On to the close
As the sunflower turns
On her god when he sets
The same look which
She'd turned when he rose".

He was all pride and happiness and warmth as he smiled at her.

"I wish you would sing more often"

"I wish your singing voice was not far superior to mine, then perhaps we may be on the same playing field and I would not feel so self-conscious."

Jane had not noticed how his hands had closed around hers as he had settled before her.

"You talk nonsense, my darling. I think your voice is beautiful. And just now, I am in need of hearing it".

He kissed Jane's forehead as she watched him slide into the armchair beside her. She was ready to give some teasing remark, but in seeing his face, she stopped herself. Whatever meeting that had absorbed him most of the morning was not of the usual kind, for he never looked so thoughtful in leaving them. In then occurred to Jane that perhaps he was not in meetings all morning, but had remained in the study after the meeting, thinking.

"Tell me what it is" Jane entreated, warmly.

Without averting his gaze from the window his look softened a little and he sighed deeply.

"I was visited this morning by Mr Webb"

"The local magistrate?"

"Indeed"

"What ever for?"

"He came because he is retiring. I was told he was in ill health, which I fully believe based on his appearance. He told me that he was relieved when he found out I moved into the neighborhood, for he knew there would be someone to leave the job to..."

Jane paused, "Do you mean that he wishes you to take over the job of magistrate?"

"Indeed, he asked me to start immediately".

Jane repositioned herself in the armchair, turning her full body to face her husband.

"And what did you tell him?"

"That I would need some time, that I would need to speak to you first".

Jane knew little about the full role of the Magistrate's, but she did know that in the countryside Magistrate's were responsible for dealing with small levels of crime- theft, violence, and small civilian disputes. The job always seemed to belong to someone much older, and very established. Whether it was entrusted to someone with a strong sense of justice above someone with a large fortune, Jane highly doubted.

"And how do you feel regarding the offer?"

He rose suddenly and strode to the mantle of the fireplace where he rested his arm restlessly and gazed intently into the flames.

"I do not know how I feel, I never assumed I would be offered a position of such power. With you, I am happier than I deserve to be, and I am more than content with my life as it is. But I cannot help considering this has not fallen into my path by mistake, perhaps I am meant to accept this job. I do not wish to live a life as one who is rich, and idol. I am sure Mr Webb chose me because of my wealth, and though he wishes me to be feared because of it, I would like to be the opposite for it. God knows I am not a good man, Jane. But in this I believe I could be fair, or at least fairer than most".

"Of course you would be, and you would be wonderful at the job. It sounds like your mind is indeed made up"

He shook his head,

"No, I have an ultimately very important reason not to"

"What is that?"

"You, Jane. I do not know absolutely, but I am sure the job would require much time away from home".

Jane could not pretend like this would not be a blow. She did not want him away from home, away from her. But to limit him for her own personal pleasure would be more than selfish, and so with a forced smile she continued,

"You would not have to worry about that, I would be content with any arrangement so long as you were happy"

He grinned,

"You are an astonishingly bad liar, Jane Rochester. Besides, it is not you that I worry about. It is myself. I would not wish to be away from you for any extended amount of time- in truth even small amounts of time without you make me tedious and short-tempered".

He walked back to her and once again resumed the chair beside her, kissing her hand and sighing before continuing.

"Mr Webb and his associates have asked me to come to London tomorrow in order to review finer details of the roles and responsibilities of the position. I would have turned them down on account of not wanting to travel so far for a position I am sure I will turn down, but Adele arrives the following day and I think she would very much enjoy the surprise of me being there to take her home".

Jane smiled, "Of course she will! You must go".

"It will be two days"

"Two short days".

Jane felt uneasy about Edwards decision. If she had not been in the equation, he surely would have accepted. But she was in the equation, and he had turned it down for her sake. Her positive comment about two short days was perhaps her subtle way of trying to impart her support if he did choose to take the job- but it was feeble, and lacked heart.

. . .

The next morning Jane woke up feeling incredibly fulfilled. The small breeze which blew through the opened window fell upon her face, which was still flushed from the night of lovemaking. The rosy feeling in her cheeks was spread throughout her whole body, and she had no wish to ever leave the bed in which she lay. And yet she was alone, for no warm arms encircled her, and held her close. She rubbed her eyes and looked about the room. Sitting beside her on the bed was Edward, and he immediately answered her questioning look of what he was doing with a soft kiss.

"Shh, lie down my darling. I am sorry I woke you. It is still so early, and you can continue to sleep".

"You have an early departure then?"

He nodded, "Too early, I'm afraid".

Her fingers played lightly wish his, and she nodded.

"Of course, it is a long journey".

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers deeply. She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck, as a small moan issued from her lips. The kiss broke with Edward laughing, smoothing the hair away from her face.

"I see that I leave you unsatisfied"

Jane shook her head grinning, "No, the issue is that you leave me too satisfied".

"Why do you torment me, woman" he asked, turbulently, pulling the blankets down so that he could kiss between her breasts and along her collarbone before drawing back and kissing her forehead.

"I best get ready".

He stood and walked to the closet to began dressing as the sun's first light began creeping through the window.