Jane lay, her back pressed into her husband, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close.
"Jane, I have a question"
"Mhm?"
"Why did you cover yourself up when you stood from the bath?"
Jane paused, there was a sadness in his voice she did not expect. She turned over to face him, looking at him intently.
"I just-" he stopped himself and sighed before talking again, "I cannot bare the thought of me making you feel self-conscious and weary in my presence-"
"Edward, no." Jane assured him, running her fingers though his hair affectionately, "No".
"Then what?"
"I was merely teasing you. You were watching me at length and so I decided to tease you a little by covering what you were gawking at. If anything, you have given me the greatest gift of being honest and opened with the desire I have for you. I am not ashamed, and I am not restrained like so many other women are. You have never made me feel like my want of you is wrong, or unfeminine or unnatural. It was the one thing I was worried about in marrying you- I wanted you so desperately before, though in those days I did not even know what that meant. But I was scared of revolting you with the love I felt, even for a man as passionate as yourself".
"Jane, my darling, wherever did you attain this notion?" he asked, viewing her confusedly.
"Every women that has spoken to me on the subject. They seemed so distant from their husbands, I was worried what I felt for you was not right and once we were married it would shock you, and you wouldn't be able to view me in the same way".
"This is the case for some couples, I am sure, because they feel nothing true towards one another. For me alone, it is all I could ask for. To know that my wife still loves me, and wants me- that I am enough for her...There is no greater happiness than that".
Jane's eyes never left his, she stared into them, dark and deep as they were and nodded peacefully.
"Do you remember, the morning after our wedding you asked me if it would always feel that way, if laying together would always feel so good?"
Jane nodded, "You told me it would get better, and it has. Every time."
He kissed her lips deeply, loving her with every ounce of his being. She shivered under him, for it was cold in the room, despite the roaring fire. Edward broke the kiss to retrieve his robe from the floor beside the bed and wrap it around Jane. She looked on heart was filled that moment with so many things.
"That night, I entrusted you with my soul, and there has never been a safer keeper".
His face glowed with warmth as he looked upon her,
"Jane Rochester. I do not know how I could live without you".
She kissed his temple and turned her head to look out of the window.
"Edward, we just made love in the middle of the afternoon"
"Yes" he said, pridefully, "And I would do it again in an instant".
Jane grinned at him, trying to appear serious, "I know you would".
He smiled sweetly and lay back down next to her, allowing her to once again cuddle into him.
"Should I cancel tonight?"
Jane pushed her palm into her forehead, "Oh tonight! I forgot".
"It would be no problem! I can just tell the Eshton's that after the events of today-"
"No, no, I simply forgot. I do not want to disappoint anyone. I would love to see them".
"Alright then" he said, looking boyishly at her,"Then again, I could cancel and we could stay here all day.."
Jane laughed, closing her eyes and shaking her head.
. . .
Mr and Ms Eshton arrived for dinner at six o'clock. Adele stayed close to Jane, excited to meet the company. Anne rushed towards Jane with much excitement, taking her hand and telling her how much she had missed her company in the weeks they had not seen each other. Jane greeted her with equal enthusiasm,
"And who is this?" Anne asked, smiling kindly at Adele
"Ms Eshton, this is our Adele" Mr Rochester said,stepping behind Adele, "We are lucky enough to have her here with us for Christmas".
"Adele, it is very nice to meet your acquaintance. You look quite beautiful tonight". Adele blushed, looking at Jane before turning back to Anne.
"Thank you, you look lovely as well".
"Adele has already eaten, for she was too hungry to wait. But she hopes that you will allow her to talk with us after dinner. I fear I have told her all too much about your wonderful fashion and she is quite intrigued".
Anne laughed, "But of course. I should love that".
"That is our Que Edward, the ladies do not desire our opinions of fashion"
"I would not say that Mr Eshton, I am sure you have many enlightening things to say on the subject" Jane said, and Eshton smiled.
"You have caught me. And yet, I cannot be over-shone on the subject Ms Rochester, which I'm sure you would do to me. If Rochester would be kind enough to offer me a drink I could make a dignified escape".
"Come then Eshton, we may keep your dignity in tact yet. Ladies, we shall see you soon" Rochester said, glancing kindly to Anne and Jane before heading for his study with Eshton.
Adele ran off with Leah to help finish supper for the Adults and so it was just the women left, who moved easily into the sitting room, informing each other of all they had missed since seeing each other last.
"Jane", Anne started slowly, "I was so sorry to hear of your miscarriage. I cannot imagine how horrible it must have been for you. I am sorry if I speak unjustly, if I am crossing bounderies I am not meant to cross-"
"No, Anne" Jane assured her, "You are free to speak of whatever you wish with me, we are good friends. It was horrible, it was absolutely heartbreaking. I cannot describe to you the pain I felt, and admittedly still feel in some rare moments. But, Edward is more than a support to me, he has been so comforting".
Anne smiled and looked down at her folded hands.
"Mr Eshton has hardly spoken to me these last weeks".
When Jane looked sadly at her she seemed to gain some courage and continued, "He has been so busy with his work that when he comes home he only wants time to decompress and relax. I understand that, he works so hard. Yet, he has spoken recently of wanting a son, which, given our current situation, is hard to attempt. It has made me only a little stressed, but then I am reminded of his kindness to me, and the freedom I am given in comparison to some women and I feel more at ease. It is just, well, hard".
Jane nodded, taking Anne's hand.
"It must feel like a lot of pressure, and with no ways to resolve it"
Anne nodded enthusiastically, "That is exactly it".
"And have you spoken to him?"
"Yes. He said when he is not as busy, we can talk about it then. And I believe we shall, that time just hasn't come yet".
"Anne, we know him to be a good man. Perhaps he is not aware of how pressing your feelings are. You must mention it to him again".
"You are right Jane, but there is little point in it. If his mind is in work, it hears nothing else. I shall be patient and wait".
"If you think that is best" Jane said, nodding.
Anne's smiled softly and looked at her friend.
"Jane, you are in an unusual situation. Mr Rochester, it seems, is far better to you then most husbands are to their wives- my Mr Eshton is as well. Mr Rochester just happens to be an exceptional case. I cannot hold Mr Eshton's involvement with work against him, I have learned to accept it, and be happy with it".
Jane nodded, smiling.
"Do you know what he is working on now?"
"Something regarding creation of similar looks in siblings. To me, the answer seems simple. If you come from the same parents you are likely to appear like one another, and yet he believes there is more to it".
"I always loved biology. I think what he is studying must be very interesting".
She laughed, "Jane you are quite the amazing women. I cannot claim the same of my interest, but yes, I am sure it is very important work. Where did you gain an interest in science?"
At the moment, dinner was announced and their conversation was carried back into the hallway and towards the dining room.
"I believe I have always had a fundamental interest in it. When I lived with my aunt she had a great collection of books I read often. When I moved to Lowood that changed, and suddenly we were no longer encouraged to read new sciences. It wasn't until i went to Thornfield and encountered a once again extensive library of scientific books that my interest could once again be fuelled-".
Jane looked up and saw Edward and Eshton standing in the doorway, stopping their conversation as she and Anne approached.
"It also helped I had someone around who was all too willing to share his extensive knowledge with me".
"Nonsense, I never told you anything you did not already know- she is that well read you know" he said, looking proudly to Jane.
Anne smiled, looking between Jane and Edward until Eshton spoke.
"Anne is well read only in fashions, of which no one is her equal, and retains all local gossip someone could want to know".
Jane watched Anne's face drop ever so slightly before she smiled, not totally convincingly.
"It is a woman's job. How else would you know half of what you know without my keen skills of observation?"
"You are quite right my dear".
Jane took Edward's arm, closely followed by the Eshton's as they went into the dining room, hungry, and full of conversation.