Summary

The first section is titled “Part One: Jane.” The first chapter takes place in February. The narrator, Jane, begins her story in present-tense. She drives to Mountain Brook from Center Point in the rain to walk Campbell Reed’s dog. Jane used to work at a café, but now she makes money by walking dogs in the ritzy neighborhood of Thornfield Estates. She resents her wealthy employees and wants to steal earrings and jackets from them, but warns herself it is too risky. Her favorite house in the neighborhood is also the biggest. She stands outside looking at it and nearly gets run over.

In “Chapter Two,” Eddie Rochester gets out of his red sportscar and apologizes to Jane. She is struck by how handsome he is. He invites her inside for coffee.

In “Chapter Three,” Jane has coffee with Eddie. He flirts with...