Thank you everyone (including new readers!) for all the love and support recently.

Honestly, I love writing this story of two amazing characters and so long as people are enjoying reading, I am very, very happy.

More to come very soon. I had more written for this chapter but I had to chop some out for the next chapter so this one would not be too long. So, the wait for more will not be long.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. I love reading your comments. It is quite literally the highlight of my day.

Hope you are all well!

xoxox

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

Jane's mind ran over Rosie's situation all through breakfast and during the time she fed Henry afterwards. It was not until she sat in the library that afternoon opening letters that she really had time to think.

Jane wished to herself that Rosie had been the type of servant who wished to have herself known, for then perhaps Jane would know how to proceed with the situation better. But then again, when she was a servant, Jane had not wanted attention either. She had always respected and valued privacy and, because she did not much care for gossip, this had always left her isolated from the rest of the servants. She imagined Rosie to be in a similar situation. Jane knew that she had no friends within the house, nor anyone she spent time with outside of those maids she worked with. Perhaps this is why she fell so easily for this young man, or why his words which were too good to be true were so enticing. At any rate, Rosie's situation needed to be addressed. Edward had made it clear that he did not want the Baron of Kent coming to his house and threatening anyone- not when he had his son and ward here. Mr Rochester was not upset with Rosie for bringing him into their lives, for she did not know what effect he would have, still, he wanted this matter put behind them.

The door to the study opened suddenly and Edward entered holding Henry.

"I cannot get him down"

"Is he hungry again?"

"No, he is just not tired. I have been rocking him for over an hour and he is as wide awake as ever".

Jane smiled understandingly at his frustration and held out her arms.

"I will take him for a little while, you go and have a break doing something else. I know you still have a stack of paperwork a mile high".

He sat down beside his wife, kissing his son's head before handing him to her.

"The paperwork can wait. As it is, it is sure to take me almost a week before it is all done, but I took care of the most pressing things yesterday".

"Then perhaps just a walk?"

He smiled appreciatively but shook his head.

"Thank you my love, but I would rather be here with you".

Jane nodded, "Alright then".

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Jane resting against her husband frame. Henry was contented, but as her husband had said, he was not tired. He had slept soundly throughout the night and this was most likely why he would not settle for a nap at his usual time.

"Where is Adele? Is she occupied?"

"She and Jenny are walking into town later. Adele said that she needs a new pair of shoes for winter, for when she returns to school. I thought it best to have Jenny gone from the house when we spoke with Rosie, just in case she was to become angry with her for betraying her trust. But as it turns out, Rosie is not working today"

"She is not?" Jane asked in surprise, "Where is she? Is she ill?"

"No, gone to visit her sisters baby over past the village. She asked for the time off from Leah quite a while ago, so I am told".

"Well, tomorrow then" Jane said encouragingly. Edward squeezed her hand in response.

. . .

Because it was no longer necessary to keep Jenny away from the house, she remained at home while Adele and Jane walked into town with Henry. Jane pushed Henry in his pram, the fresh air and last few warm days of the summer being too fair to miss out on. Edward remained at home to work, but made Jane promise to come home as soon as they were finished. He was never at ease when him family was not safe in the was no cause for alarm, however. Town was as it always was- busy and friendly. Since Diana's marriage at their home, in which much of the town was invited, people had been far more friendly towards the governess who had become the lady of a large and fine estate.

Adele spent the majority of her time in the shoe store trying to convince Jane that she needed far fancier boots than was required for winter at a girls school. After picking up a white pair of boots with pink satin laces, Jane was forced to pull Adele aside and explain to her what it was to live excessively with too much vanity. Though Adele had been greatly humbled in the time Jane had known her, she still occasionally tried to obtain more expensive or extravagant things than she needed.

"You wear such things now, though, Jane" Adele argued, "And I wish to dress like you".

It was not a heated comment, but an honest one. Jane nodded to her,

"I wear finer things now than when I was your governess Adele because being married to Mr Rochester requites it, but I wear nothing so extravagant as those boots. In truth, if I only had one dress to wear everyday for the rest of my life then I would be completely content. What matters is who you are- the person you strive to be, not what you wear. Besides", Jane smiled kindly, "no one will even see your boots under your dress".

"Does Mr Rochester make you wear different clothes?"

"No, he does not"

"Then why must you have different dresses? Why does being married to him require it?"

"Ladies do not wear the dresses of the professions they no longer serve in, Adele".

"I suppose" she replied,

"And Adele, you mustn't ask so many questions, or challenge the opinion of those older than you so frequently. It is fine with me, for I am your guardian and I know your questions come from a place of genuine interest. But for someone who does not know you as well as I or Mr Rochester, you will appear flippant and challenging".

"Yes Jane" she said, nodding her head.

"Very good, now let's find you a pair of boots and we shall find some flowers before heading home, alright? You can even pick the ones we choose to take".

This was a mistake on Jane's part.

Adele spent virtually the better part of half an hour choosing flowers. It was becoming too warm and, though Henry was shielded by a sun bonnet, Jane did not want him to become overheated. So once Adele had picked an arrangement of large and blooming pink and purple flowers, all of which had come from the hot house, they arranged for such to be brought to the house. Jane, in seeing a distinctly unique flower, picked it up and observed it in her hand. It had long pink and orange triangular overlaying petals with a long and thick stem. Paying for it and taking it with her, Jane pushed Henry home with Adele skipping happily at her side.

When they arrived home, Edward stepped out of his office to greet them at the first sound of footsteps in the hallway.

"Hello" he called. Adele ran forward and hugged him. He placed a hand on her back and patted her warmly in greeting.

"Hello Mr Rochester. Flowers are coming. Jane did not want Henry to become overheated so we hurried home. It is far warmer now than when we left. Have my boots arrived?".

But she waited for no reply before running up the stairs towards her bedroom.

Jane smiled at her husband, moving in to kiss him gently. When she drew back, he pressed his lips to her forehead and put a hand in the small of her back.

"I missed you" he said, "You were gone far too long".

"We were held up with Adele picking out flowers"

"Ah, I see. That's what she was talking about. And how are you?" he asked, picking Henry up from his wife's arms and kissing his cheek in greeting.

"Very well. The day is so beautiful, and one of the last ones like it in this year at least. Perhaps we can take a walk later, for I would hate for you to miss it".

"You are not tired yet of walking today?"

"Actually I am a bit" Jane confessed, "But I would not be if it meant time with you".

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"Come" he said, pulling her into his study, "I have something to show you".

"I do too actually" Jane said, stopping him suddenly. He gave her a curious look as she let go of his hand and exited the room. She returned momentarily with the unique and beautiful flower she had found at the flower stand, handing it to her husband who was playing with Henry at his desk.

"I saw this today at the flower market. It made me think of a flower you showed me in a book a very long time ago. You were describing the West Indies to me, in all the vividness that your expansive memory offers, and showed me some drawings in a book on flora and fauna. The book was not coloured, and so I was not sure which colour to expect, but it looked very much like the drawing".

Edward took the flower from her, examining it closely with all the interest man could possess. He turned it in his hand, looking inside of the petals and at the stem. Eventually he smiled and spoke without breaking his examination.

"Jane, you have brought me back. This is indeed a West Indies flower. It is exactly the type which grew outside of the house which I stayed in". He stole a glance at her. "I always found it odd that such a cursed home could have something so simple and honest growing within it".

Jane stepped forward with her hands behind her back as she also observed it.

"Were they common flowers there?"

"Very, for they require much sun and very little water- tempered perfectly for the climate there. But this colour was not. I mostly saw yellows, and occasionally pink. This type is quite strange to me".

"Interesting" Jane said as he poured water from his pitcher into a glass container and stood the flower up inside of it. He stayed observing it for a few seconds before turning to fully face his wife.

"Thank you Jane, very much".

"I thought you may enjoy it".

"Well, it is not only the flower itself- it's that you remembered. I showed you that book on the flora and fauna of the West Indies on the third night I called you to my company. I remember distinctly, for you had asked me earlier of my travels abroad and I knew you were interested in the nature of places. It was one of the few things you had disclosed to me at that point. I thought you may have enjoyed it".

"Of course I did" Jane smiled, kissing the top of his head.

Henry swung his arms, trying to reach the brightly coloured flower before him.

"I'm sorry mister" Jane said, bending down to kiss his cheek, "Were we neglecting you?"

Edward laughed, bouncing him on his knee gently.

"God forbid your mother and I share one moment without all of the attention being on you"

But he was smiling, and Henry in no way was neglected for the rest of the afternoon or night.

. . .

Over breakfast the next morning, Mr Rochester was informed by Leah that Rosie had returned to work. When the breakfast plates had been cleared away and Adele ran off to play with her dolls, Mr Rochester spoke.

"Jane, I think it is best if you speak to Rosie alone"

"Do you indeed?" Jane asked in surprise, "You are her master, and the one who knows of the Baron's character where I do not. Do you not think it would be better if you were there too?"

He shook his head,

"I do not want her to feel intimidated by us both confronting her. You have a way with people, Jane, a gentleness I have never possessed. I also have a feeling she will trust you more, you having been a servant yourself. She is private, and we all know the power you possess in making people feel comfortable enough to open up to you without even trying. But, if you would rather not do such alone, I will of course come".

Jane looked to him,

"No, no, I think you are right. I think this will be best if I speak to her, woman to woman".

"Alright then" Edward said. He took one final sip of his tea before standing and taking Henry out of his bassinet beside the table. "Then I shall take Henry and inform Leah that you wish to meet Rosie in...?"

"The library" Jane answered,

He put his hand on her shoulder and kissed her briefly before thanking her.

"Thank you. If you speak with Rosie, I will deal with the Baron".

. . .

There was a apprehensive knock on the library door before Rosie nervously shuffled into the room. She waited by the door to be told where to go.

"Hello" Jane said, standing to greet her, "Please, come and sit Rosie. How are you?".

She did as she was told and sat down beside Jane in a softly cushioned chair but did not answer the question. Jane wondered if it was the most formal chair Rosie had ever been invited to sit in. Looking intently at the frightened woman sitting before her, Jane spoke in a kindly.

"I am sorry if you are ill at ease. I do not wish to make you anxious in calling you here unannounced".

But Rosie only looked at Jane. After shuffling her feet on the carpet for a moment she crossed her hands in front of her on her lap.

"Can I be of assistance to you, miss?"

"No, I do not believe so. Not right now, at any rate. But I do believe that I can be of assistance to you".

The atmosphere in the space changed instantly. Rosie's face stiffened in apprehensive fear as her hands stalled.

"I do not know what you could mean, madam"

"I will be honest and upfront with you, Rosie, because I think you deserve me to be. While Mr Rochester and myself were away we were informed of your involvement with the Baron of Kent. From what we understand, the Baron and his brother have been coming to this house to speak with you since you have learned of his true identity".

"Ms Rochester, forgive me. I never intended for your house to be affected by my life. If this is my dismissal, I would understand your decision completely".

"Oh, no" Jane said quickly, "This is not your dismissal. I do not believe that you are responsible for the way both of those men have treated you. You should know, Rosie, that you have the support of this home from myself and my husband".

Rosie looked surprised, almost as if the words spoken were too good to believe. But soon the hope fell from her aspect and she dropped her shoulders, once again bending her eyes low upon the carpet.

"With all due respect, I simply wish to put this all behind me and go back to completing my work".

Jane nodded, proceeding with caution.

"I understand that you wish to retain your autonomy within this house, Rosie. I understand your wish to privacy because I too was a servant who valued my animosity within the house I worked for. But I also know the risk you face because I was a servant, and because I know that you cannot possibly provide yourself with enough protection in the eyes of a man with far too much power over you. Whatever has transpired, whatever as occurred, the Baron of Kent had no right to lie to you, and his brother had no right to come here and accuse you of choices that were made without you understanding the truth of the situation".

Jane softened her voice more, "I would not interfere in you wishing to put this behind you if I felt it could be done on your own".

"Oh I know" Rosie said quickly, "You and Mr Rochester have been wonderful employers. The best I have ever known. You have allowed me to retain my privacy here in this home and allowed me to feel comfortable. But, with all due respect, I believe that if I ignore both the Baron and his brother, they will soon forget about me and this will all go away".

"I wish that were true" Jane said, "But you have become involved with a very angry man who, by all accounts I have heard, has never walked away from a situation not having his desires meet. His desire right now is for you to be sent away from this place, this town, so that no one can accuse his brother again of being in love with a servant".

Rosie nodded absentmindedly, her mind hanging onto another thought.

"I never..." she began slowly, but then stopped herself. Sighing, she started again. "I never wanted this, Ms Rochester. I never asked for trouble, nor wished for trouble to be brought into either yours or Mr Rochester's lives. I have disrupted your home, and for that I am very sorry. My mother is ageing, and she wants to see me settled in marriage before she dies. She wishes for some security in her final weeks, perhaps months. I trusted him too easily, did not question as much as I should have. I only wished for my mothers happiness".

Jane reached across Rosie and took her hand. For the first time, she looked almost childlike in her realisation. Rosie was older than Jane was, but circumstance and time had marked her as young in her mind. Though she was quiet and reserved, this did not make her more mature. In fact, perhaps the fact that she had never befriended one of the girls in the house meant there was no one to mature her understandings of life, no one to tell her she was wrong to fall in love so quickly, or so carefully. Jane suddenly realised now how different they were, how different their reasoning in life had been.

As a servant, Jane had never expected to marry, and because she had had no expectations, she felt no disappointment when she was alone in the world. Being resigned to this fate had not made her desperate for a man, in fact she had never even considered looking for one. Even when she did find love in the most honest and natural way, she was sceptical of the man whom she completely adored. She was weary of being reliant on him, of not being independent of him if she wished to be. She did not want to be kept by him. But his deep and unconditional love for her, and hers for him, had dislodged any notions of apprehension in her mind. It had taken time, and conversation and honesty for Jane to understand her equality to him, and his everyday actions proved such. It was only then that they had married. But here before Jane sat a girl who had acted out of not wishing to remain alone forever, and perhaps was simply ready to marry the first man who showed her the slightest bit of attention. Whether she had truly loved him or not, Jane did not know.

Jane's reassuring hand seemed to reignite something in Rosie, for a tear ran down her face, and she brushed it away quickly after blushing with embarrassment.

"I understand, Rosie. I know that you did not wish to bring such into your life. Please, do not apologise for having brought such into ours. If you cannot have complete independence in your life as our servant, then we wish to provide you with all that we can while you work for us, and that includes the security of our home. My husbands thoughts are the same, so I can speak for him on this subject. We will sort this out, and you will have to think about this no more".

Rosie was positively crying now. Attempting to stifle her tears, she dabbed at her eyes with a dirty cloth covered in ash and soot that she pulled from her dress pocket. Jane quickly handed her a clean one of her own and she took it, thanking Jane through thick sobs.

"Thank you, Ms Rochester, for your great kindness towards me. I am not deserving of it".

"No Rosie, please. There is no need for thanks and to say that you are undeserving of it could not be further from the truth. I only ask one thing of you. Mr Rochester will need to know the particulars of what transpired between you and the Baron so that when he speaks to him, he can speak truthfully".

"Of course" Rosie said, "I shall speak with him and tell him all whenever he requires me to do such".

"Thank you. In that case, I think that you should relax for the rest of the day, and have a lie down. I will speak with Leah on your behalf so that she knows where you are. Jenny informed me that you have not been sleeping much, and perhaps you are in need of it more than you think. I often find that such is the case with myself, and there is not much that some rest cannot help fix".

And so, with more tears and more thanks, Rosie left for the servants quarters, still clutching the cloth close to her wet face as she walked.

. . .

When Jane had returned to her husband who was occupying both Henry and Adele with stories, she quickly told him that she had spoken with Rosie and all was well. He had nodded knowingly, assuming that he would hear of the details later. It was not until that night, however, that Jane was able to disclose everything to him fully.

"So, did she give you any indication of still caring for the man?" Edward asked from across the room, pulling his nightshirt out of the closet and slipping it on over his head. Jane answered from the bed.

"No. She said nothing of having remaining feelings for him. But I do believe she did genuinely love him. Her quietness on that subject now may simply be from understanding the reality that a life together for them could never work. She must learn to un-love him now for her own sake, and that is a near impossible task".

"Hm" Edward said, his curls falling down in front of his face as he took off the nightshirt again. He had picked up the one which was too heavy for this time of year and quickly discarded it on a chair beside him.

"You know what I dislike most about situations like this?" he asked, searching for his other shirt. Jane smiled to herself at his exposed body. He was far more attractive in her eyes than he ever would have seen for himself.

"What?" she asked,

"That the Baron knew the place that lying to Rosie would put her in. He knew that if she fell in love with him she would have the protection of no one. He knew that she would have nothing to fall back on if she gave up the world for him and society cast her out. Whether he actually loved her or not, he acted incredibly recklessly".

"I know" Jane agreed, moving some of the blankets around the bed to accommodate for the warm night, "If he is not a bad man, he is a careless one. And to be careless with the heart is to be very cruel indeed".

Edward climbed into bed beside Jane, extinguishing one of the candles on the far side of the room and casting them into near total darkness. Even in darkness, Jane could see the dark bags under her husbands eyes telling of the amount of sleep he had been getting lately. Before she could speak, however, his thumb was caressing her face, his look concerned and thoughtful.

"You look exhausted, Jane".

"That is funny", she said softly, touching one of his curls, "I was about to say the same to you".

But he did not find that funny. His unwavering glance was surveying her attentively, not considering himself.

"Edward" she said firmly.

"Yes?"

She put her hand on his chest.

"All is well. I am just a little tired like you are".

"I am fine".

"Are you? Truly?".

His face softened at the seriousness in her tone. He put his hand on the side of her face and caressed her cheek softly.

"I am better than fine. I am incredibly happy"

Jane nodded, not able to fully believe him. Tears sparked in her eyes as she continued.

"Because with coming back to this house, and having Adele here and Henry, and stacks of estate paperwork and letters to read through, and now this incident with the Baron-"

"Shh" he soothed, pressing his lips to his wife to silence her, "I know. It is a lot. But I am incredibly happy".

She nodded again, taking his hand in hers and kissing it before pressing it to her cheek.

"I am so in love with you" she spoke, barely audible over a whisper.

His heart shattered with overwhelming love for her. Pulling her up so that she was straddling him, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, rubbing her back as he tangled his fingers in her hair. Jane put one hand on his neck, the other on the top of his back as she kissed him deeply.

"Mmm" she expelled happily, her heart expanding with such warmth and love that she thought her head may burst.

Edward turned her over slowly so that she was laid gently onto her back, not breaking their kisses. Moving in perfect synchronisation, Jane lifted her arms and Edward began rolling up her nightdress slowly...