Edward's warm and comfortable study had already been arranged so that two chairs were in front of the fire instead of one. It was almost the end of summer, but the days had been particularly cold, and there had never really been some stretch of time in which it hadn't felt like early spring every day.

Edward proceeded to tell Jane everything. He said that he had arrived at Mary's residence and noted that in asking for her there was a great panic. It took unusually long to summon her, and when she was summoned there were two servants who stayed in the room with them when they talked. Edward said he had asked for privacy, and they had said it was customary in the house to have servants stay in the presence of guests. So, he had decided to take her there and then, because there was something that felt too wrong about the house to allow her to stay. She looked like herself, but also nothing like herself. She had packed her things haphazardly, leaving some things behind that were unimportant and jamming the rest into the trunk quickly so that she was back downstairs within five minutes. Edward said that he could not help but notice the immense relief as she stepped into the carriage.

"And when you saw she was pregnant, what did you think?"

"I did not see it at first. That was another odd thing to me. When she finally emerged after the great production to retrieve her, she was wrapped in a rather large travelling cloak. I assumed, perhaps naively, that she had just been for a walk outside to clear her head as you so often used to do, especially since she took so long to come to greet me. I only noticed when I was helping her into the carriage, for the cloak slipped. It is a good thing I did not notice, however. I would have been hell bent on finding the perpetrator. And surely it would have been more important to remove her from the situation that hunt down the man she was most likely terrified of".

"No, of course. It is all rather shocking. I am not sure I would have known what to that is it? Where was the master of the house during all this? Surely he could not have let her leave in such a manor"

"He was away with his wife. It was only the housekeeper that meet me. She repeated again and again that the master could be furious, and that I best wait until he came home, but as you can imagine, I was not too worried about that".

Jane sat back in her chair, her hand to her mouth as she glanced thoughtfully out of the window.

"How could this have happened?"

Edward reached over and rubbed her back, massaging the base of her neck.

"Jane, love. What is the good of such questions? It does not change the situation in which we find ourselves and I know you will torture yourself with them"

"No, I know. But this is now a problem that is far more complicated than I know how to deal with. Diana must be informed, and Mary will forbid me from doing it"

"Forbid you? How is that possible? It is her sister, and if Mary knows you at all she will know not to ask you to hold secrets".

"But Diana is married now to a man who is more important that any person she would have expected. Mary knows that this information will change his reputation, and she would never do that to her sister".

"Good God Jane, the upper class have far more secrets to hide from the lower class, that she must know. And since she is now a part of it, she better get used to it".

"I'm not sure she does know yet, and what does it matter who holds secrets and who does not? This whole situation is a mess of which Mary should bare no blame, yet as a woman, it will always be her fault. Her word against her masters. That horrible, disadvantaged word that proves to servants that they have no power against the man that owns them. One must always be indebted to a master, and when it comes to contesting him it is impossible. I cannot even imagine what she suffered at his hand. I have been so naive. I only ever knew you as a master, and it made me blind to the fact that my situation was not normal, and that other people suffer regularly because of the power dynamic between servant and master- but especially governess and master".

Jane pushed herself out of the chair, propelled by anger and a need to do something, and yet simultaneously knowing that there was nothing she could do.

"That master- that man, or whatever thing he was knew Diana was poor, or at least had very little money to defend herself. Of course he could take advantage of her, of course he knew he could push her around at will. He must have been fully aware that it would be his word against hers".

Edward rose and meet Jane where she stood. He stilled her trembling hands and looked into her face.

"Jane, everything of what you say is true. That man, or that thing, is a monster. He knew of every advantage he had over Mary and appealed to it in order to ensure his own desires. I despise such men, I hate the kind of superiority they represent. So I promise to you that I will sort this. I promise to make this situation right. If we cannot take away what Mary has suffered we will at least punish him for causing it".

Jane nodded, a little defeated, a little tired, and more than anything wishing that this whole situation had never come to be. Edward pulled her into an embrace, and she hung her head lazily on his shoulder, tracing her fingers along the top of his back.

"But for now, Mary needs your strength".

"I do not have any, Edward"

"Yes you do. My Jane always has strength. Even if things are confused, and because I know you I know that they are, you must try and be the steadiness that Mary will need. I am sure she is feeling extremely judged right now- unsure of what you think of her, and very afraid for what will come next. Your reassurance will mean the world to her".

"But Edward, I do not know how to reassure her because I do not know what to do. Where will she stay? What will happen to the baby when she delivers?, What happens when word spreads as it is sure to?- a young governess that is pregnant fleas house while master is away. What can I tell her of the truth that can be known at this time that will not break her heart?".

"That this man will not get away with what he has done, it is as simple as that".

Jane hugged her husband tightly, comforted by his scent and his perpetual warmth. These familiar things set her heart at ease again.

"Thank you" she said genuinely, "I do not know what I would do without you"

He kissed the top of her head, but Jane drew her face back to kiss his lips. He smiled into it, pulling her chin forward with his thumb and index finger and placing his hand in the small of her back.

"My God" Jane gasped vulnerably "All I want right now is you".

Edward murmured something in agreement and kissed her neck sensually. Jane inhaled sharply.

"What can I give you now that could possibly tie you over?"

Jane smiled slyly at him, shaking her head.

"We have to tackle the largest problem first, for things can only become easier from there".

"What is that?"

"More like who is that"

. . . . .

Diana arrived the following day, much to the protest and anxiety of Mary. Jane had not told her everything in the urgent telegram, only that she was needed immediately,and without delay. Luckily, Diana had been relatively close at one of the Captain's family homes, and he was able to accompany her immediately.

In the early afternoon Jane found herself standing on the front step, waiting for the sight of the carriage to appear on the drive. She could have remained inside and perhaps done something more useful or productive with her time, but she was anticipating the scene between the two sisters and in truth did not know what to expect. She wanted to speak to Diana before she had the chance to rush in and see Mary's situation for herself. Jane was positive it would not be a calm interaction, and wanted to soften the blow as much as it was possible.

The sound of clicking shoes could be heard on the threshold behind her before Jane felt a reassuring hand at her shoulder. She immediately felt the unjustified urge to push it away, and perhaps her husband realised this, for he drew back his hand.

"Henry is with Mary" he relayed, kissing Jane's temple, "And he is very content. So you can relax and tell me what you are thinking".

Jane turned to face him, not fully able to meet his eyes.

"I am sorry. I know I have been terrible to deal with today".

Edward rubbed her arm and this time Jane felt no desire push him away.

"I know, but the reality is that you cannot do anything about it now. Diana is on her way, and she indeed needs to know. There is no other options for Mary".

"You are right. Diana needs to know. A sister lying to a sister is perhaps far more damaging than what we shall have to sort in the future for Mary and her baby, whether Diana and Mary realise that now or not. Mary is still quite furious with me"

"Well, be that as it may. She must also know you have nothing but the best wishes for her. Otherwise she would not be tucked into the bed upstairs like royalty. She should trust your judgement without hesitation. I do".

"You are married to me. We have no secrets. You trust my judgement in a way no one else ever could. I am not sure that a wounded Mary would be so eager to, or even able to".

"Then I hope at least she appreciates in what good and generous hands she is in, if she is so quick to doubt your judgement".

Jane looked at Edward quizzically.

"You seem upset with her. Are you?"

"I am upset with the way she seems to think she has a right to be angry with you".

"She does have a right. And if she makes me a scapegoat out of me for a while to make things easier on herself, I do not mind".

"But I do. Here, she is a cousin and a guest, nothing more. You are the lady of this house, and I do not like the idea of her treating you as if you have been anything less than generous and gracious with her. She has hardly spoken to you today, after you have had her waited on hand and foot".

Jane sent him a sad look, and his demeanour softened as he continued.

"And yet, I will bite my tongue for you, for I know you care about her very much. And I do too. She is family".

"No" Jane said, shaking her head, "I agree with everything you are saying. Avoiding my gaze and pretending to not hear me when I brought her breakfast was unfair. But she is confused, and scared, and I only want to be a help to her. I know she does not mean the things she says and does at present".

Jane took his hand and ran her thumb over his knuckles slowly.

"I know" he said, without her speaking a word, "You have my full support in whatever happens. That you know"

Jane reached up and kissed his cheek sweetly.

"I do. Thank you. And you said Henry is with Mary now?"

"Indeed. She asked if she could watch him, to keep herself preoccupied. I did not see any trouble with it"

Jane nodded, "Thank you. And thank you for getting up last night with him. I think I was so tired I never even woke".

Edward drew her closer and kissed her temple, smiling slightly.

"So much thanking is happening. Good God, I must mark this down as a special occasion".

Jane screwed up her face at him.

"Very funny indeed".

"They say it is the small things"

"Hm, well they are not married to Edward Rochester".

He chuckled, leaning in closer and speaking lowly.

"Why was it, do you think, that you were so tired last night that you didn't hear Henry when he cried? Do you think it could have anything to do with the vigorous and thorough lovemaking we participated in, or should I say that I preformed on- ouch!"

"Do not speak of such so openly!" Jane blushed, looking around frantically.

Edward looked highly entertained, seeing the bright flush come to Jane's cheeks.

"God, you are beautiful"

"And you are impossible"

And then, there was the sound of hooves on the drive, and the Rochester's turned to see a fast approaching carriage. Jane felt a reassuring rub in the small of her back as the carriage door was flung opened before it had even stopped. Diana dashed out, her eyes wide with fear.

"Jane, Mr Rochester, good God what is the matter? Are you well? Is the baby well?"

"Yes!" Edward assured her quickly, "Diana, we are all well".

"Then why the urgency? Why the rushed letter?"

Jane paused, feeling her husbands thumb move ever so slightly on her back.

"Diana, can I speak to you alone for a few moments, inside-"

"No. Not until I know why I am here"

"It is Mary-"

"Mary! Oh dear God, what has happened to her?"

"Nothing Diana, nothing bad. But she is here, and circumstances have...changed".

The Captain struggled to unload the luggage of the carriage, and so Edward left Jane's side swiftly to assist him, leaving the cousins alone.

"Jane. You must be very forward with me. My poor nerves have been wrung through on the drive over here, and I cannot take the suspense anymore".

Jane began guiding her into the house, trying to remove her from a public space where she could be seen. Inside the foyer, Jane turned on her cousin.

"A few days ago-"

"Directly, Jane. Tell me directly. I can hear details later"

A pause.

"Mary is pregnant".

Diana's face instantly drained of all its colour. Her sallow pallor carried the mixed look of confusion and pain to a deep place in Jane.

"She is what?"

"Pregnant"

"Impossible."

"It is very true, when she arrived yesterday-"

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE JANE, THAT I TELL YOU-"

Jane dragged her cousin forcefully into the sitting room beside the door, shutting the door and wheeling around severely.

"Diana, you must be quiet now. I know it is a lot to take in but you must not scream your disapproval all over the house. Mary is feeling very fragile at present".

"Fragile? She is feeling fragile? Oh Jane, tell me you are joking. Do you have any idea of what this means?"

"Of course, we must find a way to deal with herself and her child-"

"No. It means that she made a grave mistake that is now her problem, and that has completely tarnished the family".

Jane's heart sunk like lead to her stomach.

"Diana, this was no choice, and thus no mistake on her part. She was forced. She is traumatised by it".

"Jane, I am glad that you believe that. And I want to, very very much. But how can we know? How can we know this was not by choice? God, I cannot bare the thoughts of that"

"Just talk to her, then you will see" Jane fought back, feeling her temper rise. "Diana, Mary is your sister. How could you think the worst of this situation and her? Edward went to that house, and he sensed the kind of existence she had there. It was so bad that he took her immediately from it. From what he tells me of it, it is consistent with what Mary says".

"And what is to stop your husband from lying to you? Perhaps he is accrediting the story Mary told in order to simply make you feel better".

"Excuse me, Diana, but my husband does not lie to me and certainly would never do it to soften any blow. He is as interested in the truth here as I am".

"I am sorry" Diana said weakly, hanging her head. "I am terribly embarrassed. I do not know what came over me. I was just so overwhelmed with everything- I know what a good man Mr Rochester is. I know he would only tell the truth".

"Sit, Diana please. There is a much better way of doing this than what is happening now".

Diana sat beside her cousin, rocking on the edge of the couch anxiously, her hand to her mouth absentmindedly.

"Tell me it all Jane. I will try my best to listen without judgement".