Hello dear readers,
Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the reviews that are left. They are the reason I keep writing and what gives me continual inspiration for the story. I always LOVE hearing what you think. Thank you also, so much, to the guests who don't have a name, but for whom I am so, so grateful.
I hope you enjoy this chapter, and the last one or two before some major changes come to the story!
All my love and best wishes,
xoxox
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Later that afternoon found Jane and Diana walking into town, heading to source the clothing that was required for the Mills' children. They had talked of many things over their journey, but when Mary's absence came up, it gave the cousins the opportunity to speak openly about her.
"In truth, Mary has made much improvement, but I see daily that she is still somewhat purposeless in life. She is so often quiet at home, almost reserved. Her days are so daily set by routine that I fear she leaves no room for spontaneity. It reminds me of what you once told me of your cousin Eliza".
"I do hope not, not if she is indeed in any way like Eliza".
Diana smiled,
"Perhaps not so bad as that, but she is still a reduced version of her former self. Though, as I have said, she is much improved since last spring. I am proud of her"
Jane smiled,
"I am too. Mary has shown great strength, and she has grown into such a loving mother. I am happy for her".
To Jane's surprise, Diana sighed, and a busy silence fell between them. She turned on her cousin and then away, hesitating, but she had caught the action and raised an eyebrow, so Jane proceeded lowly and plainly.
"I know that yesterday you saw the same things I did, her ease of peson in talking to Father Roberts"
A nod.
"I did, and I have absolutely forbidden her from forming any serious attachment"
"Have you?"
"Of course I have. But why do you sound surprised, Jane?"
"Well, I am surprised, for I did not know you felt so strongly on this. Surely you would not deny Mary the opportunity to marry one day?"
"No, certainly not. But to marry a priest is out of the question. They are not to be trusted. They hold such a moral highground in their communities that given the fact Mary has borne a child outside of marriage, a union could never be possible, even if a man like Father Roberts believed himself to be impervious to the thoughts and feelings of others".
"That was no doubt the case for Father Andrew" Jane agreed, "And I cannot deny that it would be the case for most men in the profession, but there are men who would be willing to defy social expectation if love was the motivation. I married one of them".
Diana looked seriously at her cousin, slowing their pace to a stop.
"I know your wisdom, Jane, but I must speak plainly. Since Mary lives with myself and Captain Franklin, it is I who must see her through another heartache. It was so difficult last time that I could not bare it again. There would be men willing to marry her, though chancing a union on a clergyman was, and is, a mistake".
"Where do you think, then, she will be likely to find a suitor?"
"I believe the best man for her will be a widow, or some older man who is settled, no longer of the general public interest, and wealthy enough to provide simple comforts to them both. That gentlemen would suit her to the letter"
"Is that also not the exact profile of most clergymen?"
Diana laughed slightly at the realisation, so Jane continued.
"Waiting for such a man as you've imagined to come along, and denying anyone else who might try, would perhaps close Mary off to the possibility of real romance. Who are we to do that when we have been so lucky?".
Another long silence.
"As much as I would like to believe a young man who has never been attached could come along and wed her, I very much doubt it, and would not like to encourage the possibility in case she had her expectations raised and she became dissapointed all over again".
Jane nodded slowly, and then looked over to her cousin meaningfully.
"And what if someone had told you that Captain Franklin was off the table for you? That his kind- Naval Captains, were not to be trusted? What if you were denyed the ability to choose?"
"It is not the same"
"It is, apart from the fact that Mary was taken advantage of against her will, and I do not think that should mean that she no longer has the ability to choose for her own life. That is the difference between adolscence and adulthood- being able to choose. We are family, and you and I have only ever wanted what's best for her. There are times I still feel very guilty that I ever encouraged her affections with Father Andrews, but I never want her to think that because of what happened to her I no longer trust her, because I do".
As they began walking again Diana stared ahead, looking thoughtful. Jane loved her cousin a great deal and respected her thoughts and opinions, though there were times she could be stubborn in believing she always knew what was best. It had come from a time when she had been forced to care for St John and Mary as the oldest sister, when after their mothers death she felt like she had to mother her siblings, so it was difficult to blame her for the habit. In her best moments, this quality in her did not matter, and in lesser moments it came from a place of love, and thus was easy to accept.
"I do not mean to lorde over her life, Jane. That is the last thing I want to do. I want her to feel as if she has the world opened to her still, even if such may not be true. I just do not want her hurt again".
Jane put her hand on her cousins shoulder, and the smile she gave was encouraging.
"She is very lucky to have you as her sister, Diana, because you care for her so much. But none of us can be responsible for another person's feelings, or choices, and it is asking too much of yourself to try".
They rounded a corner, the sharpest corner on their walk, revealing a longer stretch of road down which one could see for miles. For a while all that could be heard was the crunch of gravel underfoot and birds twittering in trees. Jane looked up to see one darting between low hanging branches, its blue feathers a contrast against the green trees.
"I appreciate you being honest with me, Jane" Diana said, somewhat unexpectedely. "Sometimes I suspect you are the only one who is"
"What of your Captain?"
"Mostly he is, othertimes I am not sure. I know he withholds things from me at times so I do not worry, and I try to convince myself that a certain level of secrecy is healthy in a marriage, and then I doubt myself and I worry that he is not happy. Oh Jane, you need not look so concerned for me. Our marriage is well enough. I only meant to say that I appreciate being challenged sometimes, and you are right. Mary does not need me hanging over her choices, only to be there for her in the moments she makes them".
Jane squeezed her arm affectionately, and the mood lightened,
"I cannot help but admit that Father Roberts does not seem an entirely impractical match for her...".
"No, I dare say he would not be" Jane said, "Though as I said to Edward yesterday, I will not become involved again until I am told there is interest, if that moment ever does come".
Diana nodded,
"Then I will be in agreement, and I will let her decide".
. . .
An hour later they had collected all of the ready-made clothing they could buy, and all the fabric necessairy to make the rest of the garments at home. The shop keeper had been quite inquisitive as to why so many articles were being purchased at one time, though neither of the women were very bothered by the feeling of needing to explain, so she switched to more general topics of conversation.
"How are you coming along, Ms Rochester?"
"I am very well thank you" Jane said, holding her bump without thinking.
"How long is it now until we can expect another Rochester heir for your home?"
"I suspect about another two months, perhaps a little less"
"My" she said slowly, folding the brown paper around the fabric while securing it with a string, "The miracle of life, it truly is. I do remember when my daughter was your age and pregnant with twins. Well, you could not get her out of the bed. Of course, such was recommended by the doctor but all the same, even if I had begged she would not have come to me and she always does come when I ask. Of course, as soon as she gave birth and rested sufficiently, she was up and about again but then again being a mother is so tiring in itself- oh Ms Franklin, do be careful. I have those fabric laid precariously there and I wouldn't want them falling on top of you"
"Of course not" Diana said, stepping back, "I shall leave your shop the way you had it, so prettily arranged"
"And I will not let you off the hook so easily, Ms Franklin. When are we to expect news of a child from your home?"
Jane hesitated a moment, her fingers fumbling on the clasp on her purse as she looked to her cousin for a reaction. Diana only curled her lips in slightly,
"When the lord feels it is the right time"
"That is right, Ms Franklin. That is absolutely right. That is the outlook we should all have in life, I do believe you are right about that".
When everything was wrapped and paid for, Jane thanked the shop keeper and moved towards the door. Though it, she noticed for the first time how hard it was raining, and how it must have been doing so for quite some time, for pools of water collected in the streets in the indintations made in the mud by wheels and hooves. A moment later the shop door swung opened to admit a woman who was shaking water from her hair and cloak. She looked at Jane and Diana in surprise and shared a brief greeting before the shopkeeper stepped out to attend to her. Jane moved back towards the door and looked out of the window wearily.
"Should we just wait a while to see if it stops? Or try chancing walking back in it?"
"I am afraid in my condition I cannot move very well, nor very fast. Perhaps I will need to call on Edward-"
But she stopped herself, squinting through the shop window obscured by the water running down it.
"Or perhaps not"
In opening the door it was easier to see that the man exiting the carriage across the road was Edward. When he saw his wife and his in-law on the front step of the shop he rushed towards them, opening his umbrella.
"Well, aren't you a happy sight"
"When it started to rain I thought it was best to come and get you. By the looks of the sky it does not look like it will let up soon. Here, Diana"
He handed off his umbrella and opened another which had been tucked under his arm, holding it over him and Jane.
"Is there anything else that you needed in town?"
"No, let us go" Diana said, looking up at the sky, "It is getting colder"
As they crossed the road, Edward helping Jane through the slidding mud, there was the sharp squealing sound of a cart losing its wheel as it crashed to the ground. They all turned to look, but Edward handed off the umbrella he had been holding over his wife, and motioned for her to continue.
"Go on, you two get in the carriage, I'll only be a moment".
. . .
By the time they arrived home, Edward was still dripping water. He was completely soaked to the skin after his attempt to get the cart from the town square up and running gain, though the attempt had ultimately been in vain. To avoid catching cold, he went upstairs to change while Diana went into the sewing room with Jenny to lay out which clothes needed to be made from which fabric. The Captain was apparently nowhere to be found.
When Jane went into the nursury she found that Henry was awake but laying in his crib contentadly, looking up at the ceiling. When he saw his mother his eyes lit up and he waved is hands excitidely. For a moment, Jane thought her heart would burst from happiness. She picked him up in her arms, kissing his cheek repeatedly before sitting down on the couch with him. Normally he wanted to play after a nap, but he was more relaxed that day, or perhaps still tired, for he continued to simply lay there, looking up at his mother peacefully. She wiggled her finger in the air and he grabbed at it eagerly, but she pulled it away before he could reach it each time. He squealed in delight and she bent to kiss him.
"Are you being silly? Are you a silly boy?"
She did not know how much time passed before she noticed the sun moving positions in the sky, indicating to her that she should begin heading back downstairs. So, when Henry was dressed and changed, she put him on the ground so that he could walk to the door, and though the walk was slow, Jane thought of day when he would no longer need her help and grieved for it. So, they walked slowly but happily to the edge of the stairs before Jane scooped him up in her arms.
Upon entering the sitting room she found Diana, Mary, and Anne sitting around a tray of tea. They all looked up when they heard appproaching footsteps,
"Oh, hello Anne! It is good to see you"
"I hope you do not mind that I came without invitation?".
Jane smiled a crooked smile as Diana reached for Henry,
"Do not be silly. How are you?"
"Very well. My husband was looking to speak to Mr Rochester so I thought I would come along".
"I am glad you have. How is Matilda?"
"A perfect angel" she smiled, "Naturally"
Jane sat down in a chair beside Mary, watching Henry grabbing at Diana's hair.
"And how was your day, Mary? How are the Mills?"
"Well enough, given all that has happened. They were very grateful for the anonoymous donation of clothing which we promised would be coming soon. They are staying in a cottage on the end of the Dillion's property. It is only temporary though, they cannot stay there for long. We thought it would be best to not inform them of this, however, so their spirits did not sink".
Jane nodded,
"A permanent place for them will be found, and we will do all we can to help them".
"Yes, in the upcoming days I will continue to inform you of the things which change. Father Roberts has been the most gracious comfort to them, he is so-" but she cut herself off quickly "Well, of course, I will be gone, so Father Roberts will have to keep you inormed. How is little Henry?"
The quick change of subject was abrasive, but Jane did not need to question why.
"Well. He just had a very good nap".
"Is he not normally more energetic after a nap?" Mary asked, examining him curiously.
"Yes" Jane laughed, watching his eyes close, "He normally is".
At that moment Edward rounded the corner, bowing when the saw the group assembled before him.
"Hello Ms Franklin, Ms Eshton, Miss Rivers- and you, Ms Rochester"
The women giggled at the last announcement,
"How do you do, Mr Rochester?"
"I am well, and yourselves?"
"Well, but I dare say you are looking for the gentlemen" Anne said knowingly,
"I suppose I am" he said graciously, holding his hands behind his back.
"Father Roberts returned with me this afternoon, Mr Rochester" Mary explained, "I do hope I was right to invite him inside?"
"Of course" Edward asssured, "When you stay here you are free to invite whomever you like".
Mary nodded appreciately,
"Excuse me then, ladies. I will see you all at dinner, I hope. Especially you, Ms Rochester".
He grinned and bent to kiss the top of her head. Jane blushed furiously as he bit his lip in amusement, stepping back and leaving the room. When he was gone, the women turned back to eachother, Anne with a curious look on her face.
"Mr Rochester seems in rather a good mood lately, Jane"
"Does he? I thought him much the same as he has always been- these past few weeks aside"
"No, Jane. I think he seems rather well. What are you hiding from us?"
'Nothing" she assured, grinning at whatever assumption they were making.
"Is it that you thought of something to do with the money Lady Denver left you?"
"No" she admitted to her friends, trying to be as honest as possible with them, "We have decided to wait until after our baby is born to talk about it at length. Edward thinks I will run myself too thin just before the baby arrives".
"Well there is no rush" Mary said earnestly, "And he is right. You would think on it far too much and no doubt upset yourself. Besides, that little one will be along soon enough. Goodness, Jane. You will have two babies in this home, you better relax while you still can"
"I know" she sighed, "Though I am very excited, I am also sure that we will be quite exhuasted when all is said and done".
"Do not think of such things" Diana cut in earnestly, "You shall have all of us to help you. You need not be so worried".
Jane smiled at her to show her appreciation for the sentiment, but she was well aware that it would just be she and Edward when the baby arrived. Sure, her cousins and her friend would come and see the baby and help when they could, but they had their own lives and they would not be in her home for long. At any rate, Jane wanted to know that she could raise her two children on her own rather than anticipating that she would not be able to handle it. Afterall, she and her husband would not be outnumbered just yet.
There were three knocks on the front door and Jane turned at the sound, curious as to what caused it. A few moments later she heard two strange voices alongside her husbands so she stood, taking Henry from Diana's arms.
"I'll be back in one moment" she explained, stepping into the hallway where Edward and two strangers, a man and a woman, stood conversing.
The gentleman was tall, blonde, and grey-eyed with a square set jaw. His hair was brushed back in an almost waved, almost straightaway, though one sweep of hair fell over his forehead in an easy fashion. He was perhaps thirty-five or so, and though he looked his age, especially around the eyes, he was well kept and handsome. The woman standing beside him had flaming red curly hair which, although had been styled, was beginning to come out of its bun in places, almost as if the curls could not be contained. Her eyes were a light blue, surrounded by vivid freckles, and her brows a darker auburn. Her nose was long and straight, but it was the only harsh feature on her face. Her round cheek, short chin, and full lips gave her an overall soft, kind appearence.
Edward turned when he heard someone approaching and smiled upon seeing his wife, opening his arm in a beckoning for her to approach.
"Jane, this is Mr and Ms Clarke. They have just moved to the neighbourhood from Kent. Ms Clarke, Mr Clarke, this is my wife, Jane Rochester and our son, Henry".
Jane curtsied to the man's bow before matching his wife's curtsy.
"Ms Rochester, it is very good to meet you" Mr Clarke said. His wife grinned warmly beside him, watching the baby in her arms intently. "I do apologise that we have come to call at the most inopportune time while you have company over. I do hope we are not an intrusion"
"Of course not" Edward assured, "Here is our family, and our closest friends. You are not an intrustion".
"Won't you join us for tea?" Jane asked Ms Clarke, gesturing towards the sitting room. The woman turned eagerly on her husband,
"Can I?"
"Of course" he replied, already engaged in a separate conversation with Edward.
"Then yes" she answered Jane, "Thank you".
When they stepped inside the sitting room Father Roberts, Captain Franklin, and Mr Eshton had joined the women, laughing at some joke Jane had missed, but when they rounded the corner the group all stood, looking expectantly at the Rochester's. After being formally introduced to the group they all shared individual introductions with one another and exchanged plesantries before splintering off naturally into different conversations. Ms Clarke eventually stepped a little closer to Jane, smiling a little shyly.
"May I ask how far along you are, Ms Rochester?"
"I am about seven months, I believe. And please, call me Jane. I cannot say I am very good at keeping up formalities, especially within my own home"
"Then you must call me Emma".
"Very well"
"How excited you must be. Especially when your son looks so well- so handsome and healthy for his age".
"Thank you" she grinned, "I am excited, though I am also anxious at having two children so young to care for at the same time"
"But your nurse will be a great help to you, I am sure".
Jane blushed, always embarassed when she had to explain this particular part of their lives.
"We actually do not keep a nurse"
"Oh?"
"Edward and I have enjoyed raising our son immensely, but as you can imagine, without the help that one normally has, we will be quite at the mercy of our children's willingness to comply, and it is possible we will very much come to regret our choice in future".
Her companion giggled,
"And how did you and your husband arrived at such a decision?"
Jane paused thoughtfully, thinking over her answer.
"Well, we both always wished to be an active part of our children's lives. As Henry's parents, it seems only right to us that we bring him up in the world so that he has been the result of our influence and no one elses".
To Jane's surprise, Emma Clarke's face stretched into a wide smile,
"I have never thought of such, but it is a lovely idea to be the sole influence on a child from birth, not just after their maturity".
"I must admit that I agree. Though I do compleltely understand the appeal of a nurse, especially on those nights when I get very little sleep".
Emma's face softened in understanding as Jane sat, offering the seat beside her.
"Please, you must tell me of yourself. You and your husband have just moved from Kent?"
"Yes, indeed. We came here on account of my husband's work. He is a barrister".
"How very wonderful. I have always been interested in the law".
"I wish I knew more of what he does " she admitted, "But I know very little, so I am not sure if I have any interest in the law or not".
Jane smiled, folding her hands on her lap after she laid Henry at her feet to play.
"And have you been married to Mr Clarke for long?"
"Three years this past Thursday, actually. And yourself?"
"It will be two years next month".
"Goodness. Time does pass quickly, does it not?"
"That it does".
Emma looked to her husband across the room, smiling to herself before looking back down at her hands. The seeming sweetness of the affection, the almost embarassed glance his way made Jane thoughtful enough to ask a further question.
"And do you two have children of your own?"
"Not yet. My husband was not eager to have children straight after our marriage. He wished to become more established in his career first. And now I am grateful for it, for this move would have been much more complicated with a child when my husband must start his venture over in a new place. He was right to suggest we wait, but I am eager to start our family as soon as possible. We are sure to be in this part of the country for some time".
"Is your husband's family from here?"
"His uncle was. He died a few months ago and the house passed into my husband's hands".
"Oh, I am sorry for your loss"
"Thank you. In truth I only met the man once at our wedding, but my husband and him were close. He is happy to be living in the house he took so much pride in"
"And are you happy with the arrangement?"
"Oh yes, and I am delighted to have an occupation. I do enjoy being the lady of a house, and the estate here, though extensive, is not too much to handle. It has been well kept, so putting my own personal touch into its decorations has been all the work necessairy. I am admittedly at my leasure. But your house, Ms Rochester, is so beauitful. In truth, I am taking note of the things I should like to emulate in my own parlour"
"Thank you very much. I am rather fond of my home"
At her words, Emma smiled slightly sheepish,
"I must admit, I was told some things about you and your husband when we first arrived, so I know his own family home was lost in a fire, and that you moved here quite of your own free will?".
"Yes, that's right" Jane explained, "When my husband and I were first married we found the other family estate he owned and was living in was not entirely suitable for us, so we moved here. I must say, the extensive gardens, sun, and green hills in this part of the country are unparallelled to me".
"You are quite right there. This part of England truly is beautiful. I love it".
"Emma dear?" Mr Clarke called, looking for her through the crowd of people gathered. When his eyes landed on her he tilted his head in a gesture for her to come to him.
"Emma, we best be on our way. We do not want to intrude for any longer, especially as dinner will be soon"
"Which I have told Mr Clarke you are more than welcomed to stay for" Edward cut in, picking up his son and standing beside Jane.
"Thank you, but we should be heading off anyways. My wife is quite tired after all the traveling we have been doing these past weeks and I would not want to overexert her".
Emma looked to Jane before smiling and walking over to her husband's side. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Well, if you will not stay for dinner then you must come some time next week" Jane said, "You will be more than welcome to visit whenever you like. Please do not feel like you need a formal invitation to come".
The others gave their own invitations for visits the following week, making the Clarke's promise that they would indeed come. As they did, Edward turned on Jane, rubbing her lower back affectionately.
The Clarke's smiled appreciately at the group before them one last time before leaving the room, unaware in that moment of what good friends they would all one day become.
. . . . .
Dinner was lovely, as it always was when shared with friends and family. Jane, in sitting next to her husband at the top of the table, observed the peaceful scene with everyone interacting so easily with one another. Even Father Roberts, who was somewhat of a new aquaintance, fit in so naturally with the group gathered. He sat at the other end of the table, close to Captain Franklin, Diana, and Mary who were all laughing and engaged in the stories he told. For herself, she was quiter that night, caring more about taking in the scene before her than hearing herself talk.
By the end of the night, the Rochester house was once again vacant of any guests. Sitting in front of the fire in the library, Jane stared into the flames sleepily, her hand resting on her face. Edward sat beside her reading, but she found that she was too tired to do so herself. Instead, she rubbed her stomach, amused as their baby kicked against her gently. It would not be long now, she reminded herself, and there would be two children in their lives. The whole idea of it made her feel flushed with excitement and curiosity. Admittidely, it would be easy to assume that she, like other women in her position, would have felt anxious with the addition of another child so close in age to the first, but she had loved being a mother more than anything else in the world, and Edward had loved being a father more than anything else in the world. What else mattered?
But then, as one particularly hard kick pulled her eyes off the bookshelf before her, an invasive thought began poking at the back of her mind which she could not shake. It took hold of her, so much so that she hardly noticed the fire burn out, nor did she notice Edward looking up from his book, glancing first at the hearth and then at her.
"Shall I light another, or is it too late?"
"It is only nine o'clock"
"When has that ever stopped you from falling asleep?"
She smiled,
"There is no need to call me out in such a way, Mr Rochester".
He chuckled before standing up and walking towards the hearth where he threw in new wood. They watched as they caught slowly and then all at once, though on a different night Jane admittidely would have enjoyed the sight more. In returning to his seat, Edward watched at his wife curiously, brushing her cheek so that she would look up at him. But she only leaned into his hand for a moment before with a stroke of his thumb he was gone. Again, she watched the catching flames, thinking over what gnawed at her stomach uncomfortably.
A moment of silence.
"Edward, do you think we will ever have nights like this again once our second child is born?"
She asked the question lowly, too consumed by the possible answer to notice how long her question went without a reply. When she did realise she turned, seeing the book opened in her husband's lap but his gaze set firmly on her.
"Jane" he said meaningfully, his forehead creased in concern, "Is that something you are worried about?"
"No" she replied honestly, "But I do think of it. It is just hard to not wonder how we can possibly share these moments, these quiet moments with just us, and being alone with just you is one of the grounding forces of my life. I do not want to lose it"
Edward's eyes were intentional and serious as he responded,
"You will always be my priority, darling. I promise that will not happen"
"But what if you cannot make that promise?" she asked wearily, "And I do not want to hire a nursemaid or nanny to help us. I want our children to be ours, and the result of our parentage, for better or for worse. I love being a mother to Henry, and I will love being a mother to this child, I know that. But I also love you, and I need you, and I cannot be fulfilled in being a mother if I cannot be your wife in equal measure".
He reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips gently. When he brought it down into his lap he ran this thumb over the place where his lips had brushed.
"No man has needed, or wanted, his wife more than I do, Jane Rochester. I need you as the mother of our children, but I also need you as a woman. I swear to you that you will never be put in a position where you must choose between anything, for I know if your hand is forced it will not be me, and I could not live with that".
"There is no choice" Jane said assuredely, "Nothing in my world exists without you".
Edward stood and crouched before his wife, looking into her eyes with all of the honesty and love a man could possess.
"I fear nothing in this marriage because it is you I share it with. If things have to change then we can change them, but what I feel for you cannot be altered by anything. That is enough for me".
Jane looked at him thoughtfully for a long moment, running her fingers through his hair.
"And will that be enough for you when we have two infants who cry throughout the entire night? And then who will require our attention all day?"
He chuckled slightly,
"Yes"
"And will it be enough when we are too tired to do anything but sleep at the end of the day?".
He looked at her seriously again.
"You ask me these questions as if you anticipate me being discontent. I am not. I am as happy and satisified as it is possible for a man to be. You know this".
She smiled slightly, dropping her hand from his curls.
"I'm sorry. In truth, I have never once worried about the fate of our marriage, nor your happiness. I think I am just trying too hard to set expectations for this new part of our lives which is fast approaching, even if it is not possible for me to know what is to come".
"It would not be wrong to worry, Jane"
"No, it wouldn't" she agreed, "But in our case, it would not be justified".
He smiled and stood, holding out his hand to her. She took it and was helped easily to her feet, but to Jane's surprise, Edward held her close, looking amused and arrogant.
"As if I could ever keep myself away from you".
Jane could not help smiling, leaning forward to kiss him.
"I love you"
"Mmm" he smiled, kissing her forehead in response.
She swayed on the spot for a moment, biting her lip thoughtfully. Edward tipped her chin back, grinning.
"What?"
"Would you like to love me right now?"
"Oh, but I do"
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him a little closer to her,
"Well, if I need to explain, perhaps I should just go to bed-"
But before she had finished the sentense he was backing her up towards his desk and then lifting her onto it. Though he was swift, she landed gently on the wood.
"Now" he said, moving between her legs so that she could wrap her hands around his neck, "What were you saying you wanted?"
She smiled, breathing out a sigh of happiness in realising how much she wanted him. The thought made her chuckle slightly. He kissed her neck and collarbone, gripping her waist to hold her steady. As she leaned back, she felt her tailbone press into the desk and gasped slightly, breaking the kiss.
"Mm, I'm a little sore there"
Edward nodded, lifting her into his arms.
"You're right. I mean, I could turn you over and have you right here on this desk, but in that case I would not be able to remove this dress, and I have a desire to see every inch of your body".
Jane gasped slightly, but it was broken by her husband's amused kiss.
"Come on".