Hello my lovely, lovely readers.

I have had some big changes in my life recently which is why I have been slower to update. I truly am sorry for this, but I can assure you I will always continue to write this story. I will never leave it unfinished so thank you for sticking with me, and for all your patience. It means the world to me, as do your comments.

Wishing you the best and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

xoxox

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The following week came and went with ease.

The Rochester's daily routine did not change much, except when caring for Henry demanded something different than what they were used to. He was such a happy baby, and such a content boy that Jane could not help but hope and pray that he would remain such throughout his life and that the joy which so often characterised his face would be the joy which always defined him. In spite of the pure bliss she felt with him, whether she was watching him, feeding him, or they were playing, Jane could not deny that she was beginning to feel more and more tired. It was frustrating, for she was indeed doing very little when she would have liked to do much more, but she was determined to not exhaust herself as she had during her first pregnancy with Henry. Even though Jane sank into occasional moments of dejection in recognising such limitations, these moods were rare and fleeting. If Edward noticed she was in low spirits he made it his personal mission to ease her mind, and in this he was effortless. Jane was sure when he laid his head on her chest at night that she had never loved him so well.

One day, some week or so later, Jane received a letter from Mary explaining that she would be leaving Lady Denver's house with Diana and Captain Franklin and hoped that they could all spend the night with her and Edward before heading back to the Captain's estate. The letter had been sent the day before so Jane did not have time to respond before they arrived, but Mary had known they all would be welcomed regardless of receiving an invitation or not. After Jane had spoken with their staff about preparing extra rooms and food for their visitors, she went in search of Edward. When she pushed opened the door to his study she found him sitting at his desk with Henry at his side. He had a stack of papers scattered in front of him but at present he was distracted by his son, his body twisted in his chair so that he could look down into the bassinet he was sleeping in. When Jane walked in, however, he turned in his chair and smiled.

"Hello darling"

She bent down and kissed him in response,

"I believe that Diana, the Captain, Mary, and Daniel will be arriving today"

"Really? When?"

"I'm not sure. I just received this letter"

She handed Edward the folded piece of parchment and he scanned it quickly, handing it back when he was finished.

"Father Roberts may also be stopping over later. He wished to look at the library last he was here and I told him he was free to look anytime"

Jane grinned, shaking her head.

"Is that not always the way it is? We live such a quiet life most of the time and then everything happens all at once"

"Well it may be a good thing for them to meet. Roberts is an interesting man to say the least, and he is the new priest in our county. If Franklin has not already met him I know he would wish to".

"And Mary?" Jane asked, a little wearily.

"Roberts already knows of Mary's situation" he reminded her, "He is also far more worldly than Father Andrews was. I would say there shall be the same level of reserve he always seems to show. Nothing more or less"

Jane felt relieved by this and nodded, sure that her husband was right.

"Do you need my help with anything?"

"No thank you. I already spoke with the girls downstairs. They are making up rooms and extra food for dinner as we speak"

"Good, then you just need to relax for a little while until they come"

"Why?"

"Because, my darling, you are standing as if you are about to celebrate your hundredth birthday".

Jane took note of her posture before laughing to herself and straightening up.

"My back is hurting somewhat today", she admitted.

"You have been up since dawn and have not stopped for five minutes. Why do you not just sit a little while".

She nodded and walked to the couch on the other side of the room, leaving Edward in a slight state of shock. When she caught his look she bit back a laugh.

"I do not understand you at all, Jane. For weeks I have been asking you to not overexert yourself, and to take things easy and you have not even pretended to listen to me. Why are you now giving in so easily?"

"I have been remembering lately how tired I was at the end of my pregnancy with Henry. If I can avoid such exhaustion this time around I want to".

Edward smiled understandingly before returning to the work on his desk.

Jane enjoyed the silence, the air empty except for the sound of her husband's pen scratching against the parchment he wrote on. She knew it would not be long before a carriage turning up the drive or Henry's cries would break the quiet, but thinking on such made her reflective of the days in which her days were mostly characterised by silence. For the first few months she lived in Thornfield hall, Jane spent much of her time in silence. Whether it was walking in the garden, a quiet breakfast or an evening spent alone in her room, Jane had to admit that the moments she was not teaching Adele or with Ms Fairfaix she was always alone. It had never bothered her at the time, for she had known nothing else in her life and there is always much value in being a friend to oneself, and self-reliant in all things, but the silence was now different to her. It was not uninvited, but it was always transitory. She enjoyed it when she could sit in it, but perhaps only because she knew that there would be someone to break it if she wanted.

"Jane, darling?"

She smiled to herself at the irony of her husband's timing.

"Yes?"

Edward was already moving across the room towards her when she looked up.

"We have already had inquiries for the new position. Look how many have arrived this morning".

As Edward sat down beside her, Jane flicked through the bundle which he handed to her, counting six letters in total.

"How is one supposed to choose who to hire as the head of their household from a pool of strangers?" she mused, "There is so much that cannot be known of a person from a slip of paper. It hardly seems fair to reduce the complexity of human beings down to such"

Edward bit back a smile, his face full of love for his wife as he kissed her cheek.

"Come, let us have a look".

. . .

Together they read over the letters, only able to make criticisms based on the smallest differences between them. One man had a quite large family, and although the Rochesters were not opposed to housing so many people, the man wished his family to remain in the house they were currently living in while he traveled back and forth each day.

"The trip would be nearly an hour each day" Edward reasoned, "We need someone who will be in the house for whenever he is needed".

Another man who applied had mostly worked as a gardener but was hoping to apply for the butler position. Again, Jane and Edward reasoned that he likely had less experience than those already living in their house and so they disregarded that inquiry as well. Another was written well and the man's experience was no doubt impressive, yet something in his insistence that estate houses needed a full staff or else it could not be a dignified home made Jane uneasy.

"He sounds very set in his ways" she said, looking at the rather severe way he wrote of what the estate house should be, "We have many people living here who come from a number of different backgrounds. I wonder if he would think himself better than them".

"Or even if he could get along with everyone" Edward noted, "Besides, we do not have an estate house. It seems as if he would be better suited in another position".

Before Jane or Edward could finish reading through the applications, however, they were interrupted by the arrival of their family. They had not noticed when the carriage initially pulled up, so by the time they made it into the entryway to greet them, the Captain, Diana, and Mary were already heading for the warm sitting room. Freezing from their long carriage ride in the winter air, they graciously received the tea they were offered and made themselves comfortable throughout the room. The ladies sat in one corner while Edward and Franklin stood in front of the blazing hearth, talking amongst themselves. Like everyone else had been, Mary was both surprised and thrilled by Jane's pregnancy, though confused on one particular point.

"You are only five months?" Mary asked, looking at Jane's stomach quizically, "I am not sure that is impossible"

"Mary, how could she be more than that? Henry is only nine months old now" Diana had pointed out, leaving her sister looking confused and then amused.

"I did not think a woman could become pregnant after she just gave birth" Mary responded lowly, leaning in closer. "Did the doctors not recommend to you to avoid the bed chamber after giving birth?"

"I did for some time, while I was still healing," Jane said, a slight blush flushing her cheeks,

"Indeed, not for very long!"

Jane opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again. Her cousins giggled at her darkening cheeks.

"We all know how much you love your husband, Jane. You musn't be embarrassed"

"Though-" Diana cut in, "You must tell us how your husband gets you into bed so often. Or, perhaps how you get your husband into bed so often"

Jane nearly spluttered on her tea, but before she could respond she heard Edward call her name and her neck snapped up to look at him,

"Yes?"

Edward looked taken aback for a moment at the surprised and then embarrassed look on her face before he bit his lip and tilted his head in order to becken her over.

"Come here a moment, sweetheart"

"Excuse me" Jane said to her cousins, walking to the fireplace with the sound of giggles following her. When she arrived beside him, her husband looked down at her, appearing thoroughly amused.

"The Captain here has been telling me something I thought you would appreciate hearing"

"Oh?"

Jane looked to the Captain expectantly.

"I was telling your husband that while Mary was staying with Lady Denver she experienced quite a scandal"

"Did she?"

"Yes, well as you are already well aware Lady Denver never had any children, but her sister did as it turns out. She has one nephew that she left all of her assets to, supposedly because she has had male relatives clawing at her since her husband passed in order to try and obtain a piece of the fortune, and she prefers her nephew to anyone else-"

"What are you talking about?" Diana called, looking suspiciously at her husband.

"I was just filling Mr and Ms Rochester in on the scandal Lady Denver suffered"

Suddenly Mary turned the darkest shade of red Jane had ever seen. She heard her husband chuckling under his breath beside her and she looked at him expectantly.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I might as well tell the story over there" Franklin said, "Though poor Mary may explode in hearing it told again"

Jane looked to Mary and then her husband as they walked back to the couches and sat down.

"Go on Franklin" Edward encouraged, leaning back and grinning.

"Dearest-"

"Oh, do be quiet Diana. It is an amusing story. As I was saying. Lady Denver prefers one of her nephews to all her other male relatives and so it was well known that he was set to inherit all of her fortune. That all changed in the course of Mary's stay"

Jane looked over at her cousin who was still a deep red, intentionally looking away from everyone so they did not make eye contact.

"When Diana and I arrived today, Lady Denver invited us inside to meet some other guests she was hosting a lunch for. Apart from Mary and ourselves, there was her nephew and a woman named Ms Banks whom is the daughter of an old acquaintance-"

Diana folded her arms and Mary huffed but the Captain was unphased.

"I have to finish telling this story to Edward" he explained, looking to Diana for her approval. This distraction and the small argument which followed gave Edward the time to take his wife's hand and look at her with the excited anticipation of a small child promised his favourite treat.

"Anyways" the Captain continued, Diana still looking annoyed as he turned back to the Rochesters, "When lunch was called neither Lady Denver's nephew nor Ms Banks could be located anywhere. One of the stable hands informed Lady Denver that her nephew had gone riding and one of the maids confirmed that Ms Banks had taken a walk and had not yet returned. Lady Denver was frustrated at both to say the least for them either ignoring or forgetting her invitation, but we nonetheless sat down to lunch and had a relatively enjoyable time. While such was happening, Mary's things were loaded onto our carriage outside, but when it was finally time to go Mary thought that she may have forgotten her bonnet in her bedroom. Diana and I were left with Lady Denver in the foyer, and suddenly we heard this shriek and then the sound of Mary running down the stairs-"

Jane glanced from Franklin to Mary who was now positively red from blushing.

"We soon learned that Lady Denver's nephew had not been out riding and Ms Banks had never been for a walk. They had been up in Mary's bed-"

As Franklin began laughing Diana pursed her lips and cut in.

"Honestly, it was a horrible scene. Poor Mary got the fright of her life and those two embarrassed Lady Denver so deeply. Naturally, Mary could not tell what she had seen but it was easy enough to find out what had transpired when one of the servants had followed Mary into the room with her bonnet that she had found downstairs-"

Edward was laughing now too, no doubt amused by Mary's horror and the ridiculousness of the situation in general.

"I do not know what you men find so funny" Diana objected, "It was horrible for all of us-"

"Oh Diana. You must have some humour" the Captain objected, "The situation was quite funny, even Mary said so"

"I said it had changed the otherwise quiet mood to a rather busy one" Mary contested, "It was hard for me to see in the moment".

The Captain turned to his most engaged audience member and spoke to him instead.

"When Lady Denver's nephew came down the stairs it was a bad scene. I believe she was trying to get us out of the house before it happened, and indeed we were leaving as fast as we could, but the man descended the stairs only a moment after Mary barely dressed, begging for forgiveness. Well, it did not work and Lady Denver did not hold back in calling him everything under the sun- and I mean quite literally everything. She told him on the spot that he was disinherited and that he would never see one penny of the money he once would have had".

"Well I for one do not blame her for one moment" Diana said pointedly, "It was an extremely disrespectful thing to do, especially in her house as a guest. He should have known better"

"I agree" Edward interjected, his laugher subsiding somewhat, "We are all adult enough to acknowledge that human beings take such liberties outside of marriage all the time, yet to do so in his aunt's house when he was supposed to be attending a lunch she was hosting for him shows a complete lack of respect for her, especially as she was so generous in granting him her fortune in the first place".

"Yes, but to lose his whole fortune over such a mistake?" the Captain hesitated, "I am not sure that is entirely fair to him".

"He knew what the consequences would be" Edward argued fairly, "He knew there was a chance he would be caught and he must have known his aunt well enough to know how upset she would be. It is hard to imagine that he did not realise what would happen".

Franklin shrugged, waving his hand dismissively.

"Well, what of it now? I hardly think it likely she will ever forgive him and so the matter is settled".

"I would not forgive him" Mary said bitterly, "To embarrass someone so outwardly...it was awful. And I dare say that woman, that Ms Banks, had very little care for him if she allowed such to happen. Men do not always have the best sense but women do. If he didn't know better she certainly did".

At that moment James, one of the house servants, showed a slightly sheepish looking Father Roberts into the room.

"Hello Roberts" Edward called, "Do come in"

"You must forgive me" he said, nodding politely to Edward when he stood to greet him, "I did not know you would have company today"

"Neither did we until this morning. Come in, please. May I introduce you to our family? Have you met before?"

"No, I don't believe we have" he said, glancing at the unknown faces in the room.

"This is Captain Franklin, his wife Diana Franklin, and Ms Mary Rivers. Both young women are Jane's cousins"

"Oh yes, of course" he said, remembering the earlier conversation they had shared, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance".

Franklin shook his hand, taking the time to introduce his wife and sister-in-law in more detail after the initial introductions had been made. Knowing that Franklin would take his time with such, Edward sat down beside his wife again and resumed the conversation they had been having before Roberts' arrival.

"So, Jane. What do you think of poor Lady Denver's situation? Do you pity her nephew?"

"Pity? No. We are all responsible for our own actions, and I dare say her nephew knew that his actions were wrong. I do pity her, however"

"Who? Lady Denver or Ms Banks"

"Both" she replied simply, "For Lady Denver's part I am sorry for any scandal she must endure in her old age. For Ms Banks, I only hope this mistake does not damage her reputation past being able to make herself comfortable, not to say happy, one day. It is difficult to navigate scandal as a woman"

"Yes, of course. But is Lady Denver's nephew not as equally guilty as Ms Books? Should he not suffer the same fate?"

"Yes, though the forgiveness shown to men is far quicker and far more encompassing than that shown to women. Even if a man was shown the same judgment as a woman, it would be forgotten soon. That is why I pity her"

Edward smiled a little sadly,

"You are too right".

Jane returned his smile before looking over at Father Roberts who was still deep in conversation with the other guests. Once again, Mary had reverted to her insecure and quiet nature which she felt forced to adopt while not around family and close friends. She assumed that everyone knew of what had happened to her, not only her assault but also the very public end of her relationship with Father Andrew. It was difficult to see, but of course she did not know that the man standing before her was disinterested in gossip, and would likely not have his views of her tainted by such pettiness.

Jane turned back to her husband, her forehead creased in thought.

"You know what is rather ironic?"

"What?"

"I think Father Roberts would actually be a good match for Mary"

Edward looked to his wife curiously,

"Her type, then, must be limited only to vicars?"

"No" Jane smiled, "That is just a coincidence. I mean that he has maturity, something that I believe Mary always would have needed, regardless of what trauma has befallen her. I have always known her to be a person who is very good-natured, though easily led, and I always imagined a husband for her who would be a strong and fair leader for that reason. Father Roberts is also constant, if not a little emotionally detached, and even that I believe would suit Mary".

"Though I cannot imagine he is the husband that most little girls dream of"

"No, I dare say not. But all girls at one time or another give up their childish dreams of what they believe makes a good husband. A young and handsome man who holds not one sensible thought in his head, nor is capable of a good or charitable action, but can quote sonnets and songs in women's ears is not the type of man one can feel comforted in coming home to".

Edward smiled at Jane, and she could tell that had they not been in a room full of people he would have been compelled to kiss her. She narrowed her eyes at him, but she did not need to voice her question to have it answered.

"It is only that you give people the benefit of the doubt when they do not deserve it. Not everyone in this world is as clearsighted as you, I assure you".

"I suppose you are right. Otherwise, Father Andrews would not be married this moment"

"Nor half the other men in England"

Jane smiled before glancing over at the others with Father Roberts. Franklin was offering him a seat beside him which he was taking, though Jane could not tell with what enthusiasm. Evidently, the priest had been caught unexpectantly with more socialising than he had anticipated, but being well versed in his profession he was quite used to speaking with others naturally. It was not until Jane was called upstairs when Henry awoke that she was forced away from the conversation.

. . .

That night while getting ready for bed Jane experienced for the first time one of the symptoms of her previous pregnancy. Even though she was only in her light slip, and even though it was the middle of winter, she suddenly felt burning hot with the fire blazing in the room. Quickly, though not quick enough for herself, she removed her nightgown and discarded it beside her before pinning her hair up on top of her head and dipping a cloth in the basin of water beside her. When she laid the cool compress across the back of her neck she closed her eyes, trying to imagine the burning in her cheeks lessening. She took a deep breath and as she blew it out she felt gentle lips at her throat.

She opened her eyes and looked meaningfully at her husband.

"Are you well, sweetheart?"

"I'm so warm Edward"

"Come over by the window then" he said understandingly, "Shall I put out the fire?"

"No, no. Then when this passes in a few minutes we both will be freezing. A few minutes with the night breeze and I will be well"

When she sat down in front of the window he pushed it opened for her and instantly Jane felt refreshed by the brisk air which blew through it. Relieved, she pressed her forehead against the pane of glass and once again closed her eyes, thinking for a long while of nothing but the cooling feeling moving across her face and chest and...

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by more pressing ones and she opened her eyes again.

"Edward, come here"

She turned her face away from the window to see her husband approaching, pulling his nightshirt on. When he reached her she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly and sensually, wasting no time with conversation. He placed both arms around her waist, and Jane deepened the kiss as she felt his large and warm hands moving over her now cooled skin.

"You are so beautiful" he muttered, kissing slowly across her collarbone

Jane looked down at him as his mouth moved down her stomach, planting kisses along her side as he did so.

"Each time I look at you, and I see that you are carrying our child, I want to take you away and make love to you right then and there. And each time someone sees that you are pregnant I feel a rush of pride I cannot explain that they are seeing the embodiment of everything I feel for you".

Jane drew his face back up to hers and kissed him again, slowing the pace of their passion so that she could look into his eyes.

"Do you know something?" she said, barely louder than a whisper.

"What?" he responded, equally lowly.

"When I wake in the morning the very first thing I do is thank God for all he has given me. I thank him for our son, and then I thank him for you. I marvel at him that he created someone as wonderful, and selfless, and loving as you"

Edward softened, but he looked far more affected by his words than Jane expected. At once she straightened up and touched his cheek,

'What is it?"

"It is nothing" he smiled, "Only that, I never could have deserved those words before I met you".

At that moment Jane shivered violently as a strong gust of wind pushed through the window. Before she could close it Edward had already reached around her and shut it, meeting her lips the instant she had turned back around to face him. He deepened the kiss instantly, leaving Jane feeling slightly lightheaded. She smiled as he cupped her bottom and lifted her into the air so that she could wrap her legs around his waist. With her stomach the size that it now was, however, she was now much more awkward to maneuver. She laughed when he leaned in to kiss her but was initially unsuccessful.

"Oh wait, wait" she said quickly, looking over his shoulder and pointing at the floor, "My nightgown-"

"Absolutely not" Edward protested, "You will not be needing that"