Thank you all for your kind messages last week. I was really overwhelmed at the reaction and cannot thank you enough! I love these characters and they are so fun to write for.
This chapter really gets the ball rolling for the next part of the story, and I am really excited for you all to see what that is!
My thank to you again one hundred times over. I am endlessly grateful for you and your love.
Take care,
xoxo
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The general spirits of the house seemed to be, for the most part, rallied by the time Jane and Rochester arrived downstairs. Diana and Anne were waiting in the hall, hands clasped together, peaking towards the door excitingly.
"Who could be producing all of this excitement?" Jane asked, but Edward only smiled and pulled Jane towards the hovering figures who suddenly turned on Jane with great excitement.
"Happy Birthday! or at least, happy early celebrations!"
"Yes, Jane, we truly do have reason to celebrate the day you were born" Anne said, throwing her arms around Jane, "For you make all of our lives far better"
"Indeed!" Mary said, suddenly appearing around the corner and moving to hug Jane as well.
"Goodness" Jane blushed, hugging Mary back, "All of his attention is quite overwhelming".
And it was. Jane had never known herself to be appreciated by another living soul before she had meet her employer, Mr Rochester. His ability to see her exactly as she was, and to love her for it, had made her believe it was possible to find friends elsewhere, in Diana, Mary and Anne. At times, it still felt remarkable that she could be valued by so many people, in many different ways.
"Now, Mr Rochester, we must insist that you completely forfeit your wife to us today, for you get her all to yourself on her actual birthday".
"Oh no" Jane interjected quickly, "I would never allow for that. I trust him far more than I trust any of you to keep my birthday a very quiet affair".
She sent her friends a very serious look before Diana rolled her eyes.
"Do not worry, Mr Rochester has already made it abundantly clear that we are not to torture you with extravagance"
Jane turned sideways to see her grinning husband.
"As the ladies have so astutely pointed out, I am with you tomorrow for the whole long carriage ride home and I would not have you upset with me so that all good conversation was denied to me".
He squeezed her hand affectionately so that only she could feel it before dropping her hand from his.
"Well I must away from a little while"
"Away, where?"
"That, my Jane, is the surprise. I must go and bring your gift back here. I will not be long".
"But-"
"Come!" Anne said, dragging Jane into the sitting room for tea before she could object further, "Until your husband returns we shall have a marvellous time".
"But Henry-"
"Is being looked after by the nurses. Now relax, and try to think of just yourself for once".
. . .
The women were joined by both Captain Franklin and Mr Eshton shortly after tea was settled. Normally they would not have attended their wives tea but, surely in an effort to continue apologising and to make a good impression for Jane's celebrations, there they sat without complaint. Jane could see they were content enough, happy to share stories and thoroughly entertained by the women's curiosity regarding their lives which they could not have possibly lived themselves.
"And what is it like, to sail for so long at one time?" Mary was asking curiously, "You must feel rather homesick at such a time"
"Many of the lads did, but I did not. In truth, I did not have much to miss to come home to. Now of course, I should find it very hard indeed".
He sent Diana an honest, flattering look, and she smiled ever so slightly to herself.
"I imagine that the most difficult part of sailing must be to live on board so closely with men for so long a period that you do not necessarily get along with. I cannot imagine that every man on board a ship is one who you would be natural friends with".
"You are very right, Ms Rochester. The most difficult part of the job, for me anyways, was always getting along well with the young men of the ship for months on end. It was always fine for the first few weeks, but when people begin to show their true natures, it can be quite difficult".
"It was the same in University" Eshton said, waving his hand dismissively, as if remembering some long lost unpleasant experience, "I rarely meet someone I did not find imposing, arrogant or with a false sense of pride".
"Unbearable youth" Franklin said, "Thank goodness that we are free of it all now. But you lived in a girls school, Jane. Surely you experienced something similar".
Jane paused, trying to think of the words to describe the life all the girls lived at Lowood Institution.
"Well,mine was a charity school, and so there was not really the same opportunity to express oneself freely. There were certain girls who did not get on well. Mostly it was a clash between the headstrong girls and the ones so ruled by anxiety that they shrunk in fear at the possibility of there being an altercation. But, we all lived in such misery that the shared experience of such was enough to unite us all. If we were not all to be friends, we were at least living in a common understanding".
"It is her birthday" Anne objected, "Perhaps you should not be asking her to relive horrors of her past"
"Not horrors, or at least not complete horrors" Jane corrected gently, "For I owe much of my life to that school. They gave me an education, and that education allowed me to leave and be independent. I harbour no ill feelings toward it".
"I find it remarkable you can speak of your past in such a way, in truth" Franklin said, "For my past, which was privileged and indulgent, makes me miserable. Your past, which is truly wracked with pain and heartbreak seems to be a source of strength for you. I must say that it baffles me".
"I have no other choice, from my own perspective. Besides, my life is so wonderful now that to dwell on the misfortunes of my past would be to not fully appreciate all I have at present".
The sound of a carriage could be heard coming up the drive.
"Speaking of" Mr Eshton said standing, "I believe your gift has arrived".
They all stood and moved out into the hallway and then out onto the main steps. The carriage stopped and the door opened, revealing Edward holding his hat under his arm. He extended his hand to help another person from the carriage, and as she stepped into the light Jane beamed.
"Adele!" she said, running towards her.
"Ms Eyre!"
Adele hugged Jane very tightly, swaying her on the spot.
"Oh Adele, it is so good to see you. How long it has been. I've missed you very much"
"Not more than I've missed you, miss. But you have sent me to a school I love and we have been in the city for the summer. I have had the greatest fun with my new friends, but I have not been able to see you".
Jane released her and rubbed her back affectionately. Edward stepped up behind her, smiling.
"And, Mr Rochester, when he wrote me to say that he was going to come and collect me I cannot say how excited I was. I was so excited that I may have lied at my school and told them to put me on my coach earlier than was necessary so I waited all day at the stop here in town. Oh, do not worry. I have already been in trouble for it. Mr Rochester reprimanded me for doing something so foolish, and told me lying is wrong and what I did was not at all safe. I will try not to be so excited next time"
Jane looked to her husband who only rolled his eyes in amusement.
"Well, come Adele. We can talk about that later. You know of course everyone who is here. Diana, Mary, Anne, Mr Eshton and Captain Franklin".
"Yes" she beamed, moving towards them and curtsying, "Hello".
"Hello little Adele!" Diana said, "How do you do?"
"Very well indeed"
"You are grown since last I saw you"
"I know, I hope I do not grow too tall, for if I do I shall be too tall for a husband".
"Enough of all that" Rochester said, "You are too young to be thinking of husbands or your height"
Franklin and Eshton laughed to themselves, stiffing it in their sleeves.
"Are you hungry, Adele? We are about to have some lunch"
"Indeed, I am quite hungry"
"Then come" Anne said, "Tell us all about your time at school Adele. It has been a long time since I knew a schoolgirl and I always loved the stories".
Adele turned back to ask for permission.
"I will get your trunk, Adele. You go on".
"Thank you, Mr Rochester".
She ran up the steps with Anne, Diana and Mary without turning back, waving her arms as she began to tell some story. Franklin and Eshton followed closely behind, also seemingly amused by Adele's energy and enthusiasm. Servants ran out to take Adele's trunk and brought it inside, most likely up to one of the seemingly endless guest rooms.
When they were alone, Jane turned on her husband, smiling.
"You know, I cannot imagine you having any other name but mine, now that we have been married so long. But hearing Adele call you Ms Eyre brought me back to a happy place when you were just my Jane Eyre and I loved someone as I never knew was possible before".
"I am still your Jane Eyre" she said softly, "And I will be until the day I die. But since when have we been married 'so long'. Have you grown tired of me so quickly so a year has felt like forever?"
Edward looked around to see if anyone was near by and leaned forward to peck his wife on the lips.
"I would do far more to you, Ms Rochester, if we were not in such a public place".
Jane blushed under his meaningful look.
"Come" he encouraged, bringing her hand to his lips, "Let us go and have some lunch. I do not trust Adele alone with the company- she may talk so much that they throw us from the house before we are set to leave tomorrow".
. . .
The day passed into evening far quicker then Jane realised it could. She was so happy to see Adele again, and had so much to catch up with her on, that time flew at an unaccountable rate. After lunch, Jane joined Adele in her guest room and they spoke at length about her school, friends, and general life. She could tell that Adele was very happy and this was all that mattered to her.
Adele was enthralled with Henry. Jane showed Adele how to hold him, rock him, and swaddle him and watched her joy as she did so. It was the first time Adele ever admitted to wanting to become a mother some day.
"He is perfect' she purred in her french accent, "I love him so very much".
Jane smiled, moving her finger lightly over her sons chest.
"He is rather perfect, isn't he?"
"How old is he now?"
"Four months"
"Still so young!"
"Indeed, but growing every single day. I fear soon I shall look back and find him grown before my very eyes all too soon. Much like you".
"I am not yet grown" she protested quickly, "I am only eleven".
"But you are growing into a fine young lady. Quite different from when I first meet you".
"That is because you were my teacher, and taught me to be good and patient".
Jane kissed the top of her head, rubbing her arm.
"I often think of those days, Adele. Those memories bring me so much happiness".
"Even the days where you were forced to discipline me for not paying attention?"
Jane laughed, "Of course. Even those days, perhaps even especially those days".
She glanced at the clock and noticed the hour, how late it had become.
"Come now Adele, get into bed. You had a very long day and I am sure you are tired".
Jane picked Henry up in her arms and pulled back the bed sheets so that Adele could climb into bed. She lay down and covered herself quickly, smiling up at Jane.
"Goodnight Jane"
"Goodnight Adele. Sleep tight. We shall see you in the morning".
"Where is Mr Rochester? Will he come in to say goodnight?"
"Indeed" he said, rounding the corner of her room at the exact moment she had asked for him.
"I am glad you have come" Adele said, looking very happy.
Mr Rochester stood beside her, allowing her to reach up and take his hand in hers.
"Thank you, for giving me such a wonderful home to return to. The other girls in my school talk with dread about returning home, but I always know I am to receive such warm care and affection I cannot help but feel so excited".
Jane and Edward smiled together.
"Your home is with us" Jane assured her, "Forever it is to be with us".
"Indeed" Edward said, sitting on the side of her bed, "So much so that, if you would like, your name can be Adele Rochester now".
Her eyes went wide, and suddenly she was kneeling up in bed, beaming widely.
"Really? Do you mean it?"
"Of course. Only if you wish-"
"Of course I wish. Oh my- I am overwhelmed. I do not know what to say. Although your name is not French, I love it! I love it because it is yours".
Jane looked to her husband, even though he could not see her, with much deep love and warmth.
"Back into bed Adele before you dislodge all of the blankets"
"Okay Mr Rochester".
She settled back down, unable to stop smiling.
"Thank you".
Jane stepped closer to the side of the bed. Henry squealed in her arms and she smiled,
"Look, Henry is excited for you too".
"Oou, how will I be able to sleep now?"
"You must try very hard" Jane encouraged, "For the faster you fall asleep, the sooner you will wake tomorrow".
"Of course" she said, "Of course. Goodnight then"
"Goodnight" Jane and Edward chuckled together. They left the room, glancing back to smile upon Adele.
. . . . . .
The Rochester's departed the following day with the need for unusual speed and efficiency. It had poured all night and all through the morning, and so in a desperate attempt to get onto the roads before they became impossible to travel on, the Rochester's packed in quite a hurry.
Anne and Mr Eshton could leave a little easier, for they did not have to worry about packing up two children. Henry cried desperately just as they were packing, and Jane had to stop and feed him. Edward, then, was left to deal with Adele alone.
In only a day, Adele had managed to spread her things everywhere. It rather looked like some sort of explosive had gone off in the room, sending her things flying about. Rochester had marched back into his and Jane's room where his wife was finishing feeding Henry with some pink bow still grasped firmly in his hand. It made his whole angry rant about Adele being so messy very hard to take seriously. But he indeed had a point, for even with several female servants helping, it took Adele over an hour to find everything and pack her trunk.
As the coach was packed, Adele stood off by the wall looking rather sheepish.
"I thought we were going to be staying for a little longer and I wanted to show you all of my things I brought", she said sadly.
Jane only smiled and put her hand on her shoulder.
"It is okay, Adele. We are just anxious to get on the roads because very soon they will be mud, and we will not be able to continue home".
"Then what would happen?" she asked curiously,
"Well, nothing good" Jane answered, "Other than that, I do not know".
Mr Rochester ran back through the rain having secured the last trunk in place and opened an umbrella so that the others could reach the carriage without becoming drenched. Adele was first, and shivered dramatically in her large cloak as she quickly made her way inside. When Edward returned to Jane he rolled his eyes,
"That is the fastest I have seen her move all morning".
Jane stifled a laugh to herself as he took Henry from her arms and moved quickly to the carriage with him. She turned to say goodbye to Diana and Captain Franklin in the door. There was no Mary. She supposed last night was to be her goodbye, and that her goodbye to Daniel in the nursery that morning would be her goodbye to him. Diana must have read the look on Jane's face, for she sighed and nodded.
"I know. I will write to you, I promise, to indicate any change in her mood".
"Thank you. I would appreciate that very much. And any news of Daniel too"
"Of course"
Edward returned again and reached out to shake Captain Franklin's hand.
"I have just assured Jane, Mr Rochester, that we will write to tell of Mary and of Daniel"
"Thank you very much, Ms Diana" he said, "Such would be very nice".
"Well, we have very much enjoyed your company Mr Rochester, Ms Rochester. I think we shall find it far too quiet around here now that you and the Eshton's are gone. Me and Diana shall have to find ways of occupying each other now".
"Well, it will not be long before we see each other again, I am sure" Jane smiled, "At the very least, Christmas is but four months away".
"God" Franklin groaned, "Jane, do not remind me"
"Dearest, that is no impression to leave our guests with" Diana said, shooting Jane a knowing glance. But she only smiled.
"Thank you again".
Diana hugged Jane very tightly before she was released,
"Please write, keep in touch. Say goodbye again to Henry and to Adele".
"We will. Goodbye to you"
"Thanks Rochester, safe travels".
Once again the umbrella was opened and Jane and Rochester made a dash for the carriage. They waved from the window until the house was out of sight, and until Diana and Captain Franklin could no longer be seen on the porch.
. . . .
The first few hours of the trip passed in relatively lively conversation. But soon, Adele fell asleep along with Henry and things became far more silent, highlighting the sound of rain pounding on the roof of the carriage. Jane rocked Henry. who was wrapped in many blankets, in her arms, humming lightly to him. It felt very right for everyone to be gathered like this, and if not for her husbands worried look, Jane would have found it a very relaxing carriage ride.
But Edward was very unsettled. He looked out of the window, hand up to his mouth as he watched the rain carefully with a surveyors eye. Eventually, he turned to Jane with a heavy look and sighed. When he spoke it was hardly above a whisper.
"I do not like the look of the roads, Jane. We are still some distance from the house, and even if the rain stops the roads could still very likely turned to mud. By Franklin's the roads were better than here, far more dry".
"Well, what do you suggest we do?"
"If the rain does not stop, we shall have to stop at the next town and stay overnight in a tavern. If it does stop, I suggest we carry on and try to make it home. In that case, even if the roads do become bad, there are several places we should be able to stop along the way and that should give us peace of mind".
But the prospect of such an outcome did not do anything to lift Edward's anxious mood. He spent the majority of the ride worrying, examining the road with such focus that it excluded him from all possibility of conversation. Jane then looked out of the other window, thinking about seemingly everything. Her train of thought was only broken when Adele stirred and woke up.
"Jane?"
"Yes Adele"
"Are we not home yet?"
"No, it is taking a little longer than normal because the roads are quite muddy, and we cannot go the normal speed".
"Is it muddy because of the rain?"
"Yes, and on stepper slopes of the road it is dangerous to hurry, for the wheels could slip"
"How many slopes have we gone down and up? Has it been dangerous?"
Edward glanced over, looking slightly annoyed.
"Adele, Mr Rochester would not put you in any danger in travelling home. You know that".
She paused, sighing drastically.
"How much longer do you think it will be?"
"I cannot say, Adele. I am not sure".
"Mr Rochester?"
"Adele, sit back and keep your questions to yourself. Asking about how much longer it will take will not make the time go any faster".
Adele sat back, looking rejected. She slumped against the side of the carriage and looked out the window with her hand pressed to her cheek.
Jane took her husbands hand in hers, looking at him intently.
"It has been a long ride" she said softly, "She is tired".
"I know that, but all the same".
Jane let go of her husbands hand only for it to be immediately picked up again.
"Adele, we will not be much longer" he said in a far kinder voice, "I know its been a long time. Are you cold?"
"No Mr Rochester" she said, her mood lifting instantly, "For I have this wonderful cloak. Remember when you gave it to me at Christmas?"
Mr Rochester nodded, grinning to himself slightly.
"Yes, Adele. I remember".
"Ms Eyre. Oh, Jane I mean, will you read me a story when we are home".
"Tell you what, Adele. You can sit in with me and Henry for a story tonight before bed, alright?"
"That sounds very good" she said, nodding to Jane.
The promise of such kept Adele entertained for the rest of the ride. The rain let up halfway through the trip which allowed the Rochester's, in the end, to make it home. Jane was filled with such excitement as she pulled into the drive of their house. It had been nearly a month, and she was suddenly was filled with the desperate feeling that a month had been far too long. Nothing had changed since they had been gone, and yet Jane had such a renewed appreciation for how fresh and green and in bloom everything was. Their house looked so happy and so welcoming as they approached.
They were home.
. . . . . . .
Hours passed and brought with it a starless night that was as quiet and undisturbed as it was beautiful.
Jane sat by the fire in Edward's study, every ounce of energy she had was spent trying desperately to keep her heavy eyelids from dropping. The book in her hand had long been rendered useless, her having read the same paragraph perhaps three times without taking in a single word. The heat from the flames lulled her into a comfortable ease as she stared into it, willing herself to remain awake.
The day had long since come to a close with Henry and Adele sleeping soundly upstairs, but Edward had a stack of paperwork a foot high from his time away and did not wish to delay working through it. So, Jane had come down to be if not with him, near him. She could easily have turned in and gone to bed, and perhaps should have given how tired she felt, but then again, time with her husband was precious, and just being near him was enough.
As the orange flame flickered before her, Jane drew her feet up into the armchair so that she was a little more comfortable. Defeated, she closed the book in her hands and took to her thoughts instead.
She felt as if there was much she needed to do, so many people to see and speak with. All the servants of course must give her an update on all that had happened in their lives since she had been gone, she must check in in a few days to ensure that Anne and Mr Eshton returned home safely and that all was right. Then there was Lady Denver to speak with, and after Jane had spoken with her surely Father Andrew would be by to politely ask after their trip...perhaps more that would be disguised in polite conversation but really would be an attempt to ask specifically about Mary. Jane was so frustrated with the situation that she felt like telling him nothing at all, and leaving him to always be in want of information regarding Mary. For if he was not going to talk with her directly why should she tell him anything? What right did he have to ask at all?
But Jane quickly realised that her anger was uncalled for and the result of her lack of sleep. Father Andrew was not to blame for Mary's state. Jane was only disappointed that, by some miracle, he had not accepted her in spite of all that she had suffered. Jane grieved the fairy tale-like ending that she wished for her friend that was now to never come true.
A large crackle from the hearth before her brought Jane back to her senses. She had fallen into a light sleep and now vigorously rubbed her eyes to wake herself up again.
"Are you doing alright, love?" Edward asked, looking up from his desk to see Jane on the opposite side of the room. She indeed looked very tired when she turned to answer him.
"I am very well"
"You would say that no matter what" he argued, raising an eyebrow.
"I am very well" she repeated, "Only a little tired".
He nodded and returned to his paper before him.
Jane did not know exactly what he was doing but it was important enough that he was not distracted by her watching him intently as he worked. His pen scratched the paper before him rapidly as he wrote, referencing other papers spread out before him on his desk. From time to time he opened a very thick book before him that held all the servants wages and place of birth and family information. After surveying this, he closed the book and continued writing.
"Can I help you?" Jane asked, for perhaps the fifth time that night. Before when she had asked this question he had thanked her, but assured her that it was probably more straight forward for just one person to complete the task. This time, however, his answer surprised her.
"Come here" he said, holding out his arm.
Jane stood quickly and moved towards him, trying to appear as awake as possible. As she stood before him, Edward pulled her onto his lap and moved her feet comfortably to tuck into the corner of the chair as she always did herself when she was sitting informally with him.
"Now" he said, "See this sheet of paper? I am tracking wages for the past year for the servants here. At Thornfield this was a much easier process. Thornfield was a very isolated place- difficult to reach and nothing surrounding it, so all of the servants lived in Thornfield hall. There were also fewer servants overall, and so less for me to deal with. Now, in this home, you and I are responsible for far more people who live in both this house and in the nearby town. Some people ask to have their wages sent off to other family members who's addresses I am in possession of, and then others ask for wages to be waved in favour of things such as food. I paid everyone in advance before we left so they would not be without for the past month, but now I must log all of the payments, and changes that occurred in circumstance while we were away"
"What changes in circumstance?" Jane asked,
"Well, Mr Gates' mother passed away while we were gone"
"Oh no" Jane said sadly, "I am very sorry to hear such"
"He was very upset, understandably. But, knowing she was very ill, you told him before we left that if anything happened while we were gone he could leave and go home"
"I remember"
"Well he did, and so he asked for his wages to be deduced from his next paycheck for his time spent away"
"Which you have no intention of doing" Jane said, looking to her husband knowingly.
"No, I do not" he said, "But there are other small things here too. Ms Connolly's sister had a child and she wished for some of her funds to be transported there. Ms McDougal is in need of new fabric and asked for early deduction from her pay in order to make a new dress"
"Jenny is going into town tomorrow in order to get fabric. I will ask her to get whatever Ms McDougal needs. I will speak with her in the morning".
"Very well then" he said, marking it in his large log. "Then there is Mr Adams. He said we are in need of a new saddle for one of the houses. I will go and see that tomorrow, though I am sure if he is telling us we are in need of a new one we are. He has repaired it twice before".
Jane nodded, "I remember him showing me one afternoon on the way back from my walk".
Edward pulled a much larger sheet of paper towards him that was laying under a stack of sheets. Jane looked to him, squinting slightly.
"And how am I able to help you with all of this?"
"You are not really able to, especially seeing as the banks would not do business with my wife"
"Then why have you called me over here?"
"Because I would rather you be near me then far away. Besides" he said, grinning, "When you fall asleep in a few minutes it will be far easier to bring you upstairs without waking you".
Jane only smiled to herself, "I may have argued with you on that if it were not true. But there is no need for that. I will go up to bed now, and you can come up whenever you are finished here".
"If that is what you wish" he said, though Jane noticed that his grip on her did not relax. So, instead, she cuddled closer into his frame and closed her eyes- content to relax there until he was ready for bed. He smiled to himself, pride and contentedness flooding his system. He kissed her temple and squeezed her affectionately before returning to his work.