Hello everyone!

I am really sorry for the long break in posting. I had a busy few weeks with work and editing this chapter took a long time. It was originally longer, but I have decided to split it into two which means another chapter won't be long coming as most of it is already completed.

I hope everyone is staying safe out there, and staying happy and healthy. The world feels very strange right now but books and writing is very comforting to me. I hope you feel the same.

And thank you, thank you, for all your reviews. You have no idea how encouraging they are. I was left some very lovely ones this week but I was not able to respond to them for some reason. Please know they were very, very touching. If you send one for this chapter hopefully I will be able to respond!

Thank you for all the continued support, and stay safe,

xoxox

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Jane woke the next morning to find herself in the exact same position she had fallen asleep in. Her contentedness made her feel almost puffy with happiness as she lay in the warm bed with nothing in the world to complain about. She stretched out her tired limbs before relaxing back into her husbands embrace, now aware of the morning sun peeking through the window panes and scattering light around the room. She didn't know how long she lay there drifting in and out of light sleep but her eyes opened fully again when she felt a stubbly kiss on her forehead. She smiled to herself as Edward groaned sleepily against her skin.

Jane pulled herself up on her elbows and looked at her husband before kissing his lips briefly. He grumbled, opening his eyes slowly and smiling before closing them again- seeming to give up on the notion of waking up.

"You need a shave"

"Good morning to you too"

"Mmm" Jane grinned, "I bought you that shaving soap the other day. You are becoming rather unkempt, husband"

"I believe that is the wife's job- to keep her husband looking well"

"Well, that may be true which is why I bought you shaving soap. It is entirely your choice whether or not to use it"

"Oh I see" he said, putting his arm behind his head but still not opening his eyes, "So this is all my fault?"

Jane pushed the hair out of his eyes and ran her thumb over his lip before kissing him slowly. She put one hand on his cheek and one on his neck as the kiss deepened, his tongue parting her lip. As her kiss turned into his, Jane felt herself unfurling like a flower to him, knowing that with another few moments of his mouth on hers she would be completely lost to him. She moved on top of him, his hands guiding her legs apart as she straddled him. He placed one hand on her back, the other on her chest and kissed her to the point of intoxication. He broke the kiss suddenly- Jane watching him lovingly as he sat up with his back to the headboard, pulling her back to him with great desperation. She smiled until his hand moved up her skirt and traced her knee, dissolving her smile instantly as tingles moved all over her body.

"How are you, my darling?"

"Good"

"I can see that. You're practically glowing"

"I'm very happy" Jane replied simply

Edward smiled, pride emulating from him in the unspoken acknowledgement that he had much to do with her feelings. Jane put her hand around his arm and rubbed him gently with her thumb. He looked upon his wife until she asked him how he was.

"I'm well, love" he said definitively, 'Very well"

Edward pushed her hair back with his hand and recaptured her mouth, his hand moving higher and higher up her leg until he was grazing her inner thigh.

"How did I marry such a beautiful woman?" he asked, recognising, for the hundredth time, everything the person before him was. Jane scolded him quietly and kissed his forehead. He bit his lip expectantly before pulling her back to his eager mouth.

. . .

When Henry woke up and was fed, the Rochester's sought out Adele who was also awake so that they could take them into the garden for a walk. It was Christmas eve, and Jane wanted their family to do something apart from the others. After bundling everyone up in warm clothes, including Edward who bent down so Adele could put his hat on top of his head, they advanced onto the frozen steps outside. Adele doted over Henry, and at any given moment Jane could imagine her as a wonderful mother someday. Her small, but maturing, face contorted in worry when she questioned if Henry was warm enough, asking Jane multiple times if she should run back and get more blankets. Even after Edward assured her that he had so many blankets as it was that only his mouth, nose and eyes could be seen, she still glanced nervously at him from time to time as they walked. Jane watched happily as Adele, who was strolling in front of her, took Edward's arm comfortably and walked beside him. Edward made no indication of wishing to pull away, instead he put his hand on her arm before indicating a bird in a tree who had a red underbelly. Adele looked up quickly in the direction of the bird but quickly looked away again shaking her head.

"Jane, darling" Edward said, beckoning for her to advance, "Tell Adele here that women are indeed interested in nature. I think it important she knows"

"Of course they are" Jane said, moving up beside Adele, "Even if you cannot love nature right now Adele, all barren and stripped of life in winter, I find it hard to believe that there is one person in the world who does not like flowers budding and opening in spring".

"Well, I do like the smell of roses. It makes the loveliest perfume"

Edward rolled his eyes, Adele once again entirely missing his point.

"I do hope you do not know that from personal experience. You are too young for perfume at present"

"But I am not too young, Jane. One of the girls at school wears it and she is my age. Her sister gave it to her and she is soon to be married so she must be respectable!"

"Well you are not that girl" Edward confirmed, "When you are old enough, myself and Jane will perhaps give it to you"

"I was going to ask for it this Christmas"

"Well you will not be getting it. Not this year"

"Jane wears it" she protested, huffing slightly.

"Jane is a woman. You are a girl"

Adele looked unhappy

"Why do you not let me do what the other girls do?"

"Adele-" Jane said seriously, stopping her gently. "That is enough arguing. We are raising you which means that you must listen to what we ask of you, and what we say. What we ask of you, and tell you, is done for your own benefit. You must not be concerned with what others do, only yourself"

"But I do not understand why I cannot, so I do not understand why it is wrong to ask"

"It is not wrong to ask but you were not asking, you were arguing, and such is wrong. The reason you cannot wear perfume at your age is because it is a mark of maturity which, right now, you are too young to be considering".

"There are far more important things at your then wearing perfume" Edward explained, "You must do well in school and not waste away your youth. You will have plenty of time- your whole life, to take part in such things".

"Yes" she replied, a little sadly but still respectfully.

Jane put her arm around Adele who hugged her as her arm was rubbed reassuringly.

"We are very proud of the young girl you are, Adele. As Mr Rochester said, you will have your whole life to indulge in adult things. Why don't you remain our little girl for a while longer?"

"Very well" she smiled, taking Mr Rochester's arm again and smiling at Jane before turning back to him.

"Is it true you are proud of me?"

"Yes Adele" he said, glancing to Jane when Adele smiled proudly. Jane passed a meaningful look to her husband and then down at her son who was starting to fuss in his stroller. She stopped to readjust his blankets as the others continued to walk ahead. Henry's little hand stuck out from the blankets as Jane tucked them in around him again, comforting him as his face shook on the verge of tears.

"It is alright darling. What is wrong?"

Jane picked him up and rocked him in her arms for a little while. With the feel of her skin on his, Henry settled again and even grinned when Jane kissed his cheek. Feeling relieved that his fussing had not turned into hysterical crying, Jane wrapped him in his blankets once again and laid him back in the stroller. She caressed his full cheeks with her finger for a moment before advancing.

Jane pushed Henry's stroller forward but in doing so completely missed the patch of black ice disguised beneath it. She slipped and as her heart jumped in her throat she had only a split second before hitting the ground hard and landing painfully on her ankle. She looked up quickly to see if her son was safe, which she found to be true, before she felt the throbbing pain indicative of an injury. She winced as she pulled herself into a seated position, dropping her hand from her ankle which burned painfully. Edward turned at the sound of all the noise and an instant later was at his wife's side, one hand on her back and the other on her arm.

"Darling, are you alright?" he asked, looking surprised.

"I think I've injured my ankle".

"Here- try very carefully to put some weight on it. I'll help you up. On three"

But on three, even with the small amount of her own weight Jane was able to put on it with Edward lifting her to her feet, it was far too painful to walk on. Edward knelt down so that Jane could sit on his knee as she tried once again to put some weight on it.

"What happened?"

"Black ice. I did not see it".

At this point Adele reached them, her hand on her mouth.

"Jane!"

"It's alright, Adele. How is Henry?"

"He is good" she confirmed, looking into his stroller.

"Jane, darling, do not risk injuring yourself more. Here-"

He lifted her into his arms and kissed her cheek briefly before turning on a distracted Adele who was still looking into the stroller.

"Adele, can you help with Henry? Would you be able to push him back?"

"Of course"

"Thank you"

"Edward, I think I could walk with just a little help-"

"Absolutely not"

Adele pushed Henry back towards the house and Edward walked with his wife in his arms. Adele looked back a little and slowed her pace to be beside them, glancing apprehensively at Jane.

"Are you in a lot of pain?"

"A little bit, Adele, but not too much".

"I fell on the ice once- do you remember? We were walking in the winter and you told me to stay off the pond but then I didn't realise I was actually on the pond and I fell? Well, that time I didn't really hurt myself but I did fall down".

"Mmm"

But Jane wasn't really listening. Instead she was focusing on how the throbbing pain in her ankle was intensifying and scolding herself for letting such a foolish thing happen. If she had indeed injured her ankle her Christmas plans would be significantly affected. Not only would she need help entering and leaving every room but she would not be in a position to help with anything. Being completely dependant on Edward would not be good, especially with a baby, a young girl, and a house full of guests. The thoughts of such made her angry, and she desperately wished she could wind back time, even by two minutes.

Adele was still telling her long winded story when Edward patiently stopped her,

"I'm not sure Jane is feeling too well right now, Adele. Perhaps a little quiet would do her good".

"Of course" she said, turning back around to face Henry in his stroller.

"Thank you, Adele. I really appreciate you helping with Henry. I only find myself frustrated right now because of how silly I was not to look before I walked. I want to hear the rest of your story later when this is all sorted out"

"Very well" Adele agreed, seeming more than content with this agreement.

. . .

Two hours later Jane found herself in the library having just been seen by the doctor. There had been much concern when she arrived back at the house but none more than her husband who had called immediately for someone to come and look at her. Jane had every intention of ignoring the advise the doctor gave, however, which was to stay in bed for two weeks until the ankle was healed. Since it was not broken she decided that it was not actually a necessity to keep it immobile. Instead, she just would wait until she could put weight on it and then slowly start to use it again. This was her plan, anyways, until her husband walked back into the room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better"

He bent down and kissed the top of her head.

"You are not going to listen to his advice, are you?"

"How can I, Edward? We have a full house for Christmas and I cannot spend two weeks in solitude in our bedroom. I will go mad"

"I know" he said, "Fairy that you are. You would not dare listen to mortal advice".

But Jane's pained face caused him to soften,

"I could not do this without you, anyways. You must promise me that you will not overdo it, and that you will call upon me for help whenever you need it"

"I promise. At any rate I do feel better. As it was not a break I will just need a few days before I can really be back to normal"

"You are lucky it was not a break. My god Jane, you poor thing"

She smiled up at him and adjusted on the couch, her leg suspended up on a pillow that the doctor had placed there.

"How are the children?"

"Settled away again" Edward said, sitting in the chair beside her, "I think they will be just fine for a while. The others are just having their breakfast now"

"That is good to hear"

Edward put his hand on the back of his wife's neck absentmindedly and rubbed her there just as John came around the corner somewhat quickly, bowing before rushing to say.

"-Lady Denver"

A second later Lady Denver indeed swept around the corner with both the people sitting in the living room having completely forgotten that she was coming. She was dressed in a maroon coloured gown with cream lace at the neck, sleeves and hem. The bodice had black lines which straightened her torso in an unnaturally long way before the shirt filled out slightly below the natural waistline. It was a beautiful dress but certainly dated, which was appropriate to Lady Denver's age of which Jane was still not entirely sure. With such an elaborate dress, it was almost impossible to notice that Lady Denver looked rather aged underneath. The pursed lines around her lips were deeper, her eyes looked ever so slightly more sunken, and as she advanced forward she seemed shakier on her feet, depending more on her walking stick more. Edward stood when she entered and bowed in the gentlemen like fashion he always did.

"Good morning, Lady Denver. I'm sorry we were not there to meet you outside. We have had a little trouble this morning, as you can see"

"Good morning. Ms Rochester, what has happened here?" she asked, looking to Jane's elevated leg.

"I have slipped this morning on some ice"

"Are you very hurt?"

"No, not very. I will just have to be careful for a while"

"Well, do not worry about readjusting for me. I understand your relaxed manor and do not find it informal under these circumstances"

Jane smiled up at her husband as Lady Denver sat down across from them.

"How has your Christmas been?"

"Quiet. The way I like it. I've had my fair share of busy Christmases in my house and I would not wish for it again. Not for a moment. Though I can see you do not feel the same way, for your house is full of guests"

"Well, where you have had your fair share of busy Christmases I fear I have not. Last Christmas it was just Edward and I, which was the best of my life, and the year before I spent alone in my governess house with only the local vicar as company. I have may more to share with family and friends before I prefer a more quiet one, I hope".

"Hm" huffed Lady Denver, both appearing amused in her disbelief and hopeful it was the truth.

"And Mr Rochester, how do you keep up with your young wife's enthusiasm?"

"I share it, I believe, on most points at least. I am lucky my wife appreciates life so much".

"And tell me, for I am curious, where did this little Adele come from, Mr Rochester? I have just met her in the hall. She is french, is she not?"

Edward looked at Jane, smiling warmly before responding.

"In my youth I spent much time travelling Europe and hardly any time here. One of these long stretches of time I spent away from home I was living in France. While there I became romantically entangled with a woman, the mother of Adele, though it must be said that it is impossible I am her father. Nonetheless, when her mother tired of her after a few weeks of birth she left her at the hotel I was staying in with a note explaining she did not want her. I took her on as my ward because I had seen what a horrible place the streets of Paris were, and I could not imagine any child being brought up on them with a different option possible. For the first few years I paid for her to go to a boarding school in Paris for girls and visited as often as I could. I felt it was not right to pull her from everything she had known, especially given how unstable the start of her life had been. When she was ten, however, it became necessary to bring her here. That is where I sought out the services of a governess to teach her and that is where I also met Jane".

Lady Denver looked very surprised as Edward spoke, but to Jane's surprise she smiled, ever so slightly. When his explanation was done, she looked rather pleased with him.

"I must say, Mr Rochester, I am glad to hear there are still some decent people left in the world. Very glad. And I am glad to know two of them. I see now why you are a match for Jane of whom I have always held some admiration".

Jane smiled at her briefly before Lady Denver sat up straighter, her hands resting on top of her walking stick before her.

"Now" she began more formally, "As I said, I do not wish to remain here long on Christmas and take up your time. I have a serious financial matter to see to. I gave my folder of documents to your man when I came inside"

"Very well, I will be back in a moment"

When Edward had rounded the corner out of the room, Lady Denver turned on Jane once again.

"I am sorry to see you in such a state"

'It was senseless of me. I should have been more careful where I was walking"

"Well I am sure you will not forget the next time"

"No. Lady Denver" she confirmed, but then her mind remembered something else she wanted to ask.

"Have you heard from Father Andrew by chance?"

The old woman's mouth moved slightly, but Jane could not make out what the gesture was. She had been closer to Father Andrew then they had been in the months be stopped speaking to them, but Jane did not know her personal feelings on the man.

"I have" she said, "And I know all about Mary Rivers' refusal. He came by my house to tell of it when it happened".

There was a pause in which Lady Denver grinned ever so slightly more.

"I say good on her. Father Andrew turned out to be a flimsy little man. I am aware of the unfortunate situation that happened to Mary, and I have always trusted your word over his. A woman having a child in less then ideal situations, but caring for that child regardless, is the least of men's worries when it comes to choosing a bride", she explained with Edward reentering the room, "No. I had no time for him after he made such a decision, and so proud of his revolve too. He is engaged to a different woman now, a woman from Kent with a significant amount of money but very little brains or family notoriety. If he does become miserable, which is at this point inevitable, he has wished it completely upon himself. It is not lost upon me how you and your husband here really showed him a kindness no one else did, for the man is an adult and completely unaware of how awkward and bumbling he is"

Edward chuckled to himself at the disgusted tone in Lady Denver's voice. Jane grinned herself too.

"I only ask of him because, as you said, the world was not kind to him. I believe we were the first friends he ever made, and though I cannot say I am fond of him anymore, I would not wish him harm"

"No, but he shall bring it upon himself nonetheless. I certainly will not grieve his loss too much. I know what it is to be trapped in a loveless marriage and wanting for things to be different every single day you wake up. It is not worth it. It is better to be alone then with people who make you feel alone".

Jane found Lady Denver's words to be more tragic then she did, for she swiftly moved on and enquired about the folder Edward had brought into the room while Jane was still mulling over her words.

. . .

Indeed there was not much Jane could do to assist with Lady Denver's finances but she was interested nonetheless. Edward scanned the financial documents carefully over a long period of time, asking her clarifying questions along the way. Jane had to admit that her husband was not only talented with managing estates but he was also talented at explaining things to people. This was not news to Jane of course, who had from their first meeting known him to be a natural teacher, but he adjusted his explanation of things to fit the person he was speaking to in a gifted way. For Lady Denver he explained things carefully and simply as she had no understanding herself of finances, but with Mr Eshton Jane had noticed he was much more methodical. When Lady Denver would ask a question, no matter how basic, he was patient and thorough in his response.

In the end, the issue in the financial statements of the staff was an error in the monthly calculations in October which were now coming into play in December. Lady Denver was not necessarily impressed but she was very relieved the problem was sorted and she could have it dealt with immediately upon her return. She was still thanking him when Eshton came into the room, looking to Jane rather grimly.

"Well I shall leave now, but thank you for your help Mr Rochester-"

"I am not sure you will be, Lady Denver" Eshton said, "That is what I have come in to say. There is a nasty storm which has moved in quickly. It is impossible to see a hand in front of your face outside. We have just managed to get all of the horses inside".

Because the library was on the side of the house facing the gardens, Jane had not noticed the weather change and neither had Lady Denver. Edward left the room for a moment and from the library Jane could hear her husband comment on the thick blustery snow that swirled around the windows in all directions so that even the closest thing outside could not be seen. Now paying attention, Jane could hear the whistling wind shooting past and bounding off the panes of glass in the window.

"Is everyone inside, John?" Edward asked, barely loud enough for Jane to hear from the library.

"Yes sir. Michael was called in from the barns. He was the last one"

"And everyone is accounted for?"

"I will double check for you"

"I would appreciate that, thank you".

A moment later Edward reappeared, crouching down before his wife and speaking to her quietly.

"Lady Denver cannot go home in this, Jane. The snow is sticking to the ground now and at any rate there is not a thing which can be seen from any distance outside. I will need your help in persuading her to stay. She is asking for us to arrange her carriage now"

"She cannot be serious!" Jane said, feeling a lump of dread in her stomach, "I am not sure she is a woman easily persuaded, Edward"

"But you are not a woman easily swayed".

Jane nodded at him and sighed,

"Tell her to come in".