Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my amazing readers. Truly, I am more humbled everyday that people are still here, and still reading. I owe much to you.

Thank you for all the messages lately too! I absolutely love them. But, sadly, some I can't respond to because people post as guests. So please! Write me not as a guest so I can write you back! I love talking to you all.

Hope you've had amazing weeks, and more is coming soon.

Much love! xoxox

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The next day, Captain Franklin, Diana and Mary all departed for the Franklin estate. It was not a sad parting, for Jane promised when the baby was born in a few short weeks she, her husband, and her son would come to visit. This seemed to lift Mary's heavy spirit, and she made Jane promise she would give her much help when the time came. It was a promise Jane was happy to make, even though her husband did not look happy at the prospect of playing guest in someone else's house.

The Rochester's stood on their front step, shading their eyes from the sun, and waving to the departing carriage as it pulled down the long drive. When it had turned out of sight, Jane dropped her waving hand and sighed deeply.

"Our home is our own again" Edward said, "How strange it is that that sentence can now be uttered".

He turned to his wife, but saw that she was distracted.

"What is it?"

"Nothing" Jane said, smiling to herself, "I thought for a fleeting moment of Father Andrew coming up the drive to say a final goodbye to Mary. It was a foolish and impractical thought, yet one that would have made her very happy".

Edward tilted his head at Jane,

"Tell me, even if this relationship could come into being, would you want it to? Father Andrew is a good man that cares far too much about what people think of him. Even if he did listen to his heart and marry Mary, would their relationship not always be tainted by his concern for what people saw him as?"

"No, I think you are right. I think in a quieter place, or perhaps a busier place where they would be easier to miss, it would be different. But this town, mixed with his need to be viewed a certain way, would never allow for it. But if I was to accept that, I would be forced to accept that she will never find a man willing to marry her. Perhaps not until she is old and grey and meets a man who has lost his wife and merely looks for a companion. By that time her baby will be grown, and the most difficult part of life that is easier with someone beside you will be long gone for her".

"It is not fair, Jane" Edward said, "Many people make mistakes that are far more easily forgiven, and this was not even her mistake. I wish we could rest easier knowing that she will never want for anything as many women must in her situation, but that knowledge is not particularly comforting".

Jane knew her husbands frustrations stemmed from knowing himself what it was to be entangled in something that was impossible to become removed from. She sensed his empathy, and loved him for it.

"Come" Edward said, "Would you like to take a walk around the gardens with me? It is too lovely an afternoon to turn in just yet, especially with Henry still asleep".

Jane smiled at him and took his arm as they moved together towards the grown in shrubbery.

Jane had always loved this fully English garden. She suspected that when it came time to find a new house her husband asked only for homes with impressive gardens. Jane spent most of her personal time out here, examining the new flowers that began to come into bloom, or just sitting under the shade of an impressive tree. She thought that it must look like something out of a fairy tale with large lines of beautiful leaves wrapping around trellaces and curling up the side of wooden fences. Large, soft pink flowers bloomed wildly in tall bushes while wild spring flowers of all different colours and sizes grew lower to the ground, in between the walkway and into the grass. One could smell the lavender when walking past it, for when in full bloom its aromatic oils, heightened by the sun, were almost overpowering. One could not see past the tall and pleasant hedges covered in leaves and flowers, but no high stone wall encircled the garden.

Jane held her husbands arm, comfortable walking with him wordlessly. She often thought about this, and what level of comfort it must have signified that she did not feel the need to fill the silence when it came between them. To simply be with him was enough.

"Look" Edward said suddenly, walking towards a light purple flower with individual long petals streaked with white lines, "This is an African flower. I have never seen it in person, for I did not think it possible to grow them here. How beautiful it is".

He half addressed Jane, half marvelled to himself.

"How do you know it is African?" she asked, touching the flower very gently.

"I have a textbook on North African violets. It is of a similar kind of flower, but this is far more vivid and striking than any book has made it out to be".

Jane smiled to herself. Her husband's deep interest in nature had always touched her. He stepped back, smiling to his wife before putting his arm around her waist.

"I will show you the book when we return to the house" he said "I would ask you if you wish to see it, but I know your answer would be yes"

She nodded and he tugged her gently in the direction of a large and shadowy tree. He kissed her temple easily as she moved back into his embrace, walking once again close to him.

"You know" Jane began, "I do not think that Mary will ever move out of Diana's house now"

"Really? I find that hard to believe. Surely if Diana and Mary become close again, which I am sure they will, that prospect would still never be appealing to Captain Franklin"

"But Diana is often lonely. I think once she learns what the comfort of her sister being always with her is, she will not want her to go. Besides, where could Mary live on her own now? At Diana's she will have a nanny for her child, and many servants to help. As for her husband, well, I think he would want her happiness for he loves her, and he grants much of his own happiness without her approval".

Diana had been telling Jane during her stay at the Rochester home that she often passed nights alone, stitching or painting, while her husband was out his with his fellow naval soldiers, and that he did not return home until she was long asleep. This time away did not seem to bother Diana, only that she did find herself lonely without someone to talk to.

"To be sure" Edward said, "He spoke often of his naval friends and their gatherings to me and Eshton, who's father was in the navy himself. I think Eshton knew far more about these infamous gatherings than Franklin thought he did".

"Are they so very bad?"

Edward grinned slightly to himself, "They have the potential to be, as most things in large groups of men do. Often, some of the men go to brothels nearby, or drink too much and end up fight in the streets, but I would say the vast majority simply drink and remissness on the glory of their sailing days. I am positive that Franklin does not partake in anything that is wrong".

But something crossed Edward's mind, and he looked to the ground, biting back a smile.

"And here I am telling my wife about the mischief of navy men".

As they reached the tree, Jane sat down and looked up at her standing husband.

"You have been spending too much time with Mr Eshton and Mr Franklin if you think that you need to protect me from the truth of the life of a man at sea".

Edward nodded, "I know I do not need to protect you from such things, but being around both Eshton and Franklin has made me aware of how lucky I am to be able to share such with you".

Jane would have reprimanded him for his answer if she thought he was merely trying to cover up other feelings, but he was honest as he always was, and sat beside her on the bench with a unpolluted mind.

"I would be surprised to learn if Captain Franklin did engage in anything wrong- he is good and fair, or so it seems to me".

"No, I agree entirely" Edward said, "Though as you allude to, it is wrong to leave his wife at home with no company. She told me briefly she did not like the servants in her home"

"Diana finds that her servants are quite old, for they came with Captain Franklin's family home. She does not find any commonality between herself and them. They are polite and good, but have no qualities beyond that of which she knows as mistress of the house".

"Ah, not like the governess who used to make her way around my house, stunning her master with her thoughts and her heart".

Jane grinned,

"No" she said softly, "Nothing like that".

"But enough of our family and their servants" Edward said with renewed energy in his voice, "Tell me something of yourself-anything. These days it has been much about Henry, or our guests, and I wish to know of my wife".

Jane thought for a moment, but then a thought rose to her mind that she had intentionally tucked away while their guests were staying with them. The smile fell slightly from Edward's face and he looked to Jane a little more seriously.

"I thought you were going to tell me something amusing, or encouraging, and yet you look very serious. What is on your mind, darling?"

"Nothing so very bad" Jane said, truthfully, "But I worry I have taken on more then I can handle with Lady Denver. When she arrived here I was unkind to her, in my own way, for I decided I would take her on as a project- that to draw her out and try and understand her more would be my mission. I had no right to do this".

"What do you mean?"

"People have many reasons for not revealing themselves. I was selfish, and because she is difficult in temperament I decided to make knowing her more enjoyable for me by drawing her out. If she did not wish to be known to those around her, I was wrong to force it".

"Jane" he said, "I would hardly say that you were unkind to her for doing this. If she really did not want to be drawn out or known, she would remain in her home and keep to herself. She answers the questions she is asked, and invited you over for tea with no obligation to do so. That does not seem like a person who does not wish to be known, rather, maybe it is just someone out of practice".

Jane thought on his words, and though there was a lot of truth in them she couldn't help but still feel slightly guilty. She must not have looked convinced, because Edward took her hand.

"Anyone would be lucky, Jane, to have you in their life. I do not say that as your husband, nor as your friend, but as someone lucky enough to know you. I am positive she has asked you over for tea because she sees in you something she relates to, and for a woman like her who is so unhappy with seemingly everything, I think that is remarkable. You will do her much good, probably more than you will ever know".

She kissed the hand that was resting in hers and brought it close to her.

"Thank you. I did not stay silent so that you would flatter me into contentedness"

"Do you think I do not know that?" he asked, grinning, "I saw your cheek burn scarlet at my words. Sometimes I wish you would allow me to compliment you more, and more freely, but then again I do not think I shall ever become tired of seeing that blush cross your face".

. . . . . . . . . . . .

The following days of ease and peace in the Rochester home was wonderfully refreshing. Without guests to entertain, Jane and her husband could go about their day as they pleased with no worry of remaining within respectable time perimeters, which was especially helpful with Henry. While guests were over, dinner had to be at seven, regardless of whether Henry slept or fussed, which most of the time left one of his two parents away from the party while trying to feed him or have him fall asleep. Now, if Henry did not fall asleep until eight, they simply ate together a little later. It was a much freer feeling, and it felt much better to not be apart for important things such as meals.

Henry continued to astonish them both. He was now almost four months old and already Jane was shocked by the time that had passed. In quiet moments, she made herself promise to miss nothing, for time was precious with Henry, and in looking away she may never see again the things she missed. She suspected her husband also said the same to himself, for he played with Henry and held him and rocked him without complaint and without anything but patience and love. It warmed Jane's heart, and made it the sight she best liked to see.

She also had time to catch up on some readings that she had been too busy to attempt. It left her with much to discuss with Edward. Talking with him never ceased to fascinate her, for he knew much, and could add much more information to that which she gathered off of a page. Often time this came down to personal experience, and seeing the sites she could only read about. When she voiced how extraordinary it was that he had seen all he had seen and been all the places he had been he merely smiled and promised her that one day, she would see all those things too with him as her guide. She hoped that this would be true.

One day, she was sitting in the library nursing Henry and reading when the door opened and her husband strode inside. He moved straight to his desk without addressing Jane and only then did she see a letter that had already been opened sitting in his hand. She watched him as he pulled another piece of paper from a drawer and compared it to the crumpled one in his hand. After some time of complete silence, Jane turned and addressed him.

"What is it?"

The sound of her voice seemed to pull him back to reality.

"It's my banker in London"

"Is everything alright?"

He did not answer right away, his eyes still darting between the different pieces of paper.

"...Yes" he said eventually, not raising his knitted eyebrows from what was before him, "But they want a meeting with me"

"In London?"

"Mmm" he replied walking over to her. He sat beside her and quickly kissed the top of Henry's nursing head before handing her the two sheets of paper.

"Why?"

He pointed to the older and yellower piece of paper.

"See this? This is a report from last years household expenses, meaning all the wages of the servants. Well, because of the amount of servants we have for a small household I had to put certain roles in under unique titles. When Ms Miller was helping you here I listed her as a nanny, though she was not, and now the bank wishes to meet to discuss such roles I had hired people under".

"But it seems absurd" Jane said, taking the other piece of paper from Edward, "Is a man not allowed to hire whomever he likes for whatever purpose if he can afford to pay it?"

He shook his head, "It is not that. I am not worried about the outcome of the meeting, for nothing will come of it, and all will be settled by my travels there. This is routine for banks. But I am worried about the travel. I absolutely hate being away from you and Henry".

"How long will you be gone?"

"As short a time as possible. Two days, one night"

"That is not so very bad?"

"It is to me" he huffed, looking highly annoyed.

Jane touched his arm, "I know you do not like being away. But at least it is no longer than two days-"

"Two days Jane! My god that is bad enough as it is, and all over a ridiculous, made up issue".

Jane signed,

"We have a staff to see to, and you in particular are responsible for their wages. And-" she continued, stopping him before he could speak "-for their ability to feel secure here".

He rolled his eyes, looking more grim than ever.

"You would see it that way"

"Which way?"

"As me securing the comfort of our servants"

"What other way would you have me see it?'

"As a wife who is sad that her husband will be gone for two days, perhaps"

At times, Jane could still see parts of the man that she had first known when she arrived at Thornfield. He could still be brisk and demanding at times, wishing her to see things from his point of view. She did not mind though, such moods were infrequent now, and only the result of being frustrated. Now that she knew him so well, she could see how harmless such actually was.

"Of course I see it that way, that is the first thing I thought of" Jane said, honestly, "But I am less important than all the people in this house who are relying on this meeting to keep their job".

He looked more frustrated then ever in realising his selfishness, but Jane was quick to pull him back from that edge.

"Still, I do not know what am I to do in bed at night with no one to talk to...with no one there to warm me? And, god forbid if I am driven mad with Henry's crying-".

These words were meant to be light and playful, but he did not understand them in that way.

"That's it, I am not going then. As you say, what if Henry cries for two nights straight and I am not here to help?"

"You are going, and that's that" Jane said firmly, "I think I shall manage without your help for only two days"

"I know you can manage, but then what of myself?" he asked, "How am I to manage without you by my side?"

Jane wished to kiss him very much, but did not want to disturb her nursing child. He must have caught this unspoken internal dialogue in her eye because he merely grinned and reached forward to press his lips to hers.

"Bring a good book"

"Now you mock me"

"No, not at all. I think next to having me to talk to, it will be the thing you enjoy the most".

Although these last words were true, it did not make his leaving the following day any easier. He sulked as he rose and dressed, and would not elaborate on the questions Jane asked him. After suffering short and dissatisfying answers long enough, Jane lay back down and tried to go back to sleep. But soon there was an guilty touch on her shoulder as she was shaken lightly.

"Jane, love?"

"Hm?"

"Forgive me".

"Forgiven" she said, turning to look up into his face. He brushed his fingers along her cheek and lips.

"Do not forgive me so quickly, I do not deserve it"

"You are welcome to anything I have, including my forgiveness".

"Good god woman" he said, burying his head in her chest, "You will make it impossible to leave you".

"But you must, your carriage awaits".

He pulled back, sighing. He leaned forward and kissed Jane passionately. She never quite knew how he had come to learn the skills to overpower her instantly with his lips, but it surprised her every time. When he drew back she felt like she was in some sort of dream-like haze, and it took a moment for her eyes to focus again.

"Goodbye, darling" he said with such tenderness and softness that it made Jane's heart bleed. He leaned in to kiss her again but she pushed him back.

"If you want another kiss you must come back for it" she said, her eyebrow raised, "Goodbye husband".

He pressed his lips maddeningly gently to her forehead, temple, nose, cheeks, chin and jaw before just brushing her lips with his.

"There" he said, "Look after my heart, I am leaving it with you"

Jane nodded and touched his forehead thoughtlessly.

"I will give Henry a quick kiss goodbye before I go. I wish I could pick him up and tell him how much I love him, but he is still sleeping, and I do not think you would ever forgive me if I woke him prematurely".

"Never" Jane confirmed sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"No, no. Sleep for as long as you can".

"I want to see you off" she said assuredly, throwing back the blankets.

Within another 10 minutes, he was gone and Jane felt his absence weigh on her heart like lead. It was not long after that that she would have done anything in the world to bring him back.