London, United Kingdom
April 1852

That night James did not rest. Jane had piqued his curiosity in so many ways that he could hardly keep himself from devouring the words that had been written on the pages she had given him. And while the information was doubtlessly helpful and accurate, what James learned spoke more pointedly towards a slumbering hatred that Jane harbored within her. It seemed that she had gathered all the data well in advance to serve a purpose, and as impressed as James was with her organizational and analytical skills, the cunning with which she accomplished it unnerved him. It made him realize that Jane was more like her grandmother than he had given her credit for.

When he finished reading Jane's evidence, James set the papers down in front of him and sighed heavily, leaning back in his seat and shutting his tired eyes. The lamplight caused his head to ache, and the subject on his mind only worsened it. He was confused as to what he should think about this whole situation, because he very well knew that if he followed the outline that Jane had just given him, he could easily avoid every attack the Pelhams might make against him; the problem was that he couldn't understand why Jane was giving him the supplies to do it.

Of course, James knew vaguely of the Pelhams' wickedness and the cruelty they exercised over their granddaughter; however, he couldn't help but wonder why Jane should want to take such drastic action against them, nor why she would ever reveal their plans to him. Wouldn't she suffer for her disloyalty if they were ever to discover it? He was certain that they would find a way to punish for it, and so James could not understand why Jane had taken such a risk. It could not have been for his sake, so surely, there was something else motivating her.

Jane had hinted at something more in their discussion that evening, and for the life of him, James could not shake it from his mind. It was as if she had mentioned it for the sake of gaining his pity and compliance, only to draw back before a full explanation could be given. It was manipulation, he decided. With her apparent aptitude for deception and cleverness, James would not put it past his wife to spare him against the use of her talents. If there really was something else, then he would need to hear of it, lest he could not trust that her intentions were pure.

After all, this could all be a part of the Pelhams' grand scheme to play him a fool. What if Jane was just telling him all this to gain his trust? Given her history with her grandparents, he doubted this theory very much, but still, he supposed that finding out the truth would put his mind at ease. That was it, James decided. If she told him the whole truth, then he would play whatever character she needed him to play until their goal was met.

In truth, he admired her for her determination to break free of her grandparents' tenacious grip on her, and if his cooperation in this meant that he could also be rid of the people who only wished to use him, James supposed that it would all be worth it, regardless of how much of a fool it would brand him in Jane's eyes. He laughed dryly to himself at the realization that just that morning, he had scolded her for conducting business on his behalf, whereas now, he was actively deciding to follow a plan of her exclusive design. She would think him silly for such a drastic change of mind, and to his annoyance, James could not blame her for it.

In his drunken underestimation of her, James had all but set himself up to one day swallow his words of ridicule, accusing her of impertinence and selfishness only for her to prove him so very wrong the same day. It was comical, he could admit, but no amount of derisive laughter could eliminate the wound that afflicted his pride. He would have to go against his word by accepting Jane's help, and that was not something James was too keen to do.

Perhaps he could take charge of the whole operation instead of allowing Jane to tell him what to do. Of course, it would be mountains of work, but if it meant he could save face, then it might be worth it. He would have to fight for his family's name and honor, but if Jane would like to help him, not lead him, then he supposed that they could work together. But James knew that if he wanted to be a leader, he would have to look and act the part. Thus, the day ahead of him would consist of tedious planning and even more tedious grooming, the latter of which had been neglected for much too long.

While James pondered all this, Jane slept quite wonderfully for the first time in quite a while. She felt extremely hopeful following her conversation with James, and so she was able to rest peacefully through the night. He had been so rational, so understanding that there was no doubt in her mind that he would come to her with a favorable reply.

Her only worry was that he would start drinking again and ruin the logic she had laid before him. That was James's greatest problem, she decided. He really wasn't all that bad when he was sober, because if she really thought about it, the most pleasant conversations with him had taken place without the presence of alcohol. Perhaps James could be a tolerable man, if only he could acknowledge his problem and take hold of it; however, Jane was not hopeful that he would ever make the effort she believed he needed to.

The next day, Jane waited to hear from James, though as the day progressed, she grew more and more anxious that he had reverted back to his incapacitated state of being. It wouldn't surprise her, but she was nonetheless disappointed. He had shown so much interest in her the night before that she had been certain that he would get back to her soon, but as the day wore on, she was reminded yet again, that James was not someone on whom she could depend.

James never did come to her that day, nor did she even catch a glimpse of him about the house. He had gone out apparently, and as Jane went to bed that night knowing that James was still away, she began to suppose that she would have to deal with her grandparents on her own. Disappointed in herself for having believed James might actually assist her in anything, Jane began to plan how she would behave in her grandparents' company. She would need to be careful to maintain her normal composure towards them, because she knew that if she were any kinder, they would suspect her of being up to something. She would act well, and she would use the information they gave her against them whether James wanted to help her or not.

On the day of her meeting with her grandparents, Jane dressed with particular care, ensuring that her hair was styled perfectly and that the bags under her eyes were adequately concealed. No doubt Regina would criticize her for every little imperfection, so Jane put in every effort to minimize her failings. Of course, the work was tedious, but by the time Jane set to leave for dinner, she was perfectly radiant despite her black mourning clothes, and even Regina herself could not have been able to find a single thing to critique.

Having given up any hope on hearing from her husband, Jane was on her way to the carriage outside, which she would take alone, when her name was called out rather wildly from behind her. Eyes wide, Jane turned on her heel and was shocked to see none other than James nearly tumbling down the steps to catch up with her.

Immediately, she was struck by how changed he looked from the other day, for instead of the sweaty mess he had been the last time she had seen him, James almost resembled the handsome man he could be. With a clean shaven face and shiny black hair that finally appeared free from grease, James approached his wife in all the finery his station could provide. His skin even seemed healthier too, his fair complexion glowing with radiance as opposed to the pallor of drunkenness. Jane was dumbstruck to see him so changed, and she had not the slightest idea of what to say or do now that he was standing before her.

James neared her, slightly breathless but nonetheless very lively. He did not smile, nor did he seem pleased to see her, but he did seem relieved that he had caught her in time.

"Jane," he said her name in earnest. "Before you go, I wanted to tell you that I agree."

Confused by the scene in front of her, Jane frowned and looked over James's attire, which appeared to be just as new as her dress. It was a beautiful coat, she thought, but what was the occasion for his suddenly improved presentation?

"What are you doing here?"

James rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by her lack of understanding. "Never mind what I'm doing here. I'll do it; I won't have them controlling us any longer."

"Really?"

"Yes," James replied impatiently. "But I have one condition, and you must decide now; otherwise, I'll be taking care of everything myself, and you will not have any part in it."

Jane was somewhat taken aback by James's sudden harshness, but nonetheless, she agreed, hoping that whatever it was would not impact her too greatly.

"Of course," she conceded. "What is it?"

"Tell me why you're choosing me over them."

"I already told you."

"No," James said. "No, there's something else you're not telling me, and if I'm going to be doing this with you, I need to know the real reason for you turning your back on them."

"Why?" Jane lowered her eyes. "It doesn't matter what–"

"But it does, Jane. How do I know you're not tricking me by telling me something they've told you to say? I need your motive if you want me to trust you."

Jane remained in silence for several moments, weighing her options. Really, James had given her only one, and so her thoughts revolved more around how she hoped to tell her story. Harry was to be left out if it entirely—that was certain—but then, how could she hope to explain so much of her behavior? James would think her crazy to run off with a man she hardly knew, but she supposed that maybe she shouldn't even include that part at all. No, he couldn't know she had run away, but he could know that they had been caught. She would be more innocent in that telling, and then James might sympathize more with her. A version of the truth, Jane decided, wouldn't hurt for James to know, especially if it made her worthy of his trust.

"Alright," Jane agreed at last. "But I'll have to tell you when I return. I'm late enough as it is."

"No, I'm going with you. You can tell me on the way there."

"What? You can't. They'll–"

"I can, and they won't know I know. They need to think you've deceived me, and so I will play the fool."

"If you act differently from who they know you to be, they will know, I promise you."

James smiled wryly, and for the first time, Jane could see that he had actually put effort into something that served someone other than himself. He had a plan to help her, and he introduced it with a taunting voice, "Marriage changes a person, wouldn't you say?"

"I– I suppose it does, yes." Jane glanced about the room, suddenly very uncertain in whatever plan James had in mind. If their marriage had anything to do with it, she didn't know how good of an idea it could possibly be. After all, their relationship was distant, and the prospects of that changing were poor.

"Well then, let them believe you've changed me." Jane couldn't help but roll her eyes since James was the last man on earth who could possibly change for the sake of someone else. He ignored her response and went on, "Obviously, I won't go overboard, but if you're going to convince them that you have my ear, then I'm going to have to show them that you do."

"I don't know if that's–"

"I know how to act; it'll be fine. Relax."

Knowing that no good could possibly come from fighting him, Jane wearily nodded in agreement and answered him, "Alright, but be careful. If they figure out that you know their plans, they'll punish me, not you."

Upon seeing the genuine fear his wife's expression, James's eyes drifted down to her hand, which was placed protectively over her belly. His chest tightened as he realized that Jane did not fear for herself, but for her unborn child. It irked him that she thought her grandparents would lay a hand against her, even now, and though he was not so keen to easily accept the life that was being forced upon him, he would be damned if the Pelhams should exercise their cruelty against any member of his family, Jane included.

"They will not touch you," James told her resolutely. "If they try, they'll answer to me, and they won't want to do that."

Jane nodded and forced the tears from her eyes. She was genuinely afraid to face her grandparents, her grandmother in particular, but with James's threat against them, she couldn't help but feel some degree of security. It was the last thing she had ever expected him to give her, but nonetheless, she was moved by it so much that her eyes began to sting with emotion. Regardless of how he tried to act, James cared for her and his child enough to defend them, and knowing that was enough for Jane to follow through with this plan of theirs.

"Okay, then," James said, looking squarely upon her face. "Are you ready to go?"

Blinking several times, Jane cleared her throat and sighed, "Yes, of course."

"Wonderful." James stepped past her and went through the open front door. "I look forward to hearing your story on the way there."

Jane froze as she watched her husband stalk into the night. She had nearly forgotten the request he had made of her, and as she was reminded of it, her anxiety made its swift return. How could she hope to tell him the truth when the truth would ruin her?

•••

I go back to school in a week and I'm low key hype bc then I can work at the writing center instead of the store I work at now #blessings

Thank you all for reading!! Love you💖
-kate💖