Having shared her plans with Jane, Elara made a quiet request. “I wish you’d come with me—work in the same city. We could look out for one another.”
Jane hesitated, her fingers twisting the lace edge of her apron. “Elara, I need time to think. And besides—we’ve never left Lowood. How would we even find a respectable position?”
Elara had anticipated the question. She leaned forward, her voice bright with purpose. “I plan to place an advertisement in the newspaper. Will you join me? We could split the cost, make it more affordable.”
Jane considered it for a moment, then nodded. “When do you intend to do it?”
“Not for at least a year,” Elara replied. “I want to wait until Maria can fend for herself here. She’s still so young—I can’t leave her feeling abandoned.”
In truth, Elara longed to
