Page 22 of Missing

“I ask because I suspect you do not understand what it means to be married—least of all to a poor man, as most officers are.”

Violet explained the modest salary of an officer and the cost of maintaining a household.

“Since you are young, you would soon be with child. Without money for servants, you would do most of the housework yourself. Tell me, do you know how to cook or clean? Imagine that tomorrow an officer proposes. By next year, you are caring for a baby, cooking, and cleaning for your husband—while Kitty and Mary are with me in Manchester, attending balls, shopping, and meeting new friends.” She winked at Kitty and Mary.

“Mrs. Dalton, will you invite me to your house?” Kitty asked eagerly.

“Of course, my dear. We shall enjoy many amusements. I have friends in Manchester who always invite me to their parties during the season.”

“But I do not like to dance,” Mary said.

“I know you love the pianoforte, and so do I. We can practise together, and when we have company, we shall take turns entertaining our guests.”

“Do you play well?” Mary asked, her eyes lighting up.

“When I was a child, my best friend was the daughter of an Italian master. My father secured him many clients, and in return, he taught me free of charge.”

Violet chatted with Mary and Kitty for several minutes.

Elizabeth realised that her future mother-in-law was seeking to achieve two purposes at once: to return to Manchester and give her and William privacy, while ensuring that her sisters were welcome and entertained so that William would have no concern for her solitude.

Lydia listened keenly to all that Violet said. Though she would not admit it, she began to doubt the wisdom of marrying so young.

“Kitty, Mary, will you come with me to Meryton? I must buy lace to remodel a gown I never wore last year. Perhaps we can also find music books, Mary.”

“I should love to, Mrs. Dalton,” Kitty said brightly.

“If we buy music, then I wish to go,” Mary added.

“I shall go too,” Lydia said, less enthusiastic but unwilling to be left behind.

Violet ordered the carriage, and half an hour later, she set out with Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, Mary, and Lydia.

They spoke of the visit to Manchester and all that they might do there.

By the time they reached town, Lydia was so animated by thoughts of gowns and balls that when Denny greeted her, she exchanged only a few words before excusing herself.

When William arrived at Longbourn, Elizabeth greeted him with a radiant smile. “Your mother is just wonderful, William.”

“I know, my dear,” William replied, kissing her hand.

◆◆◆

As the wedding drew near, Jane grew more reserved than usual, conversing very little with her family.

Elizabeth assisted her in every possible way, and though Jane was cordial and did not express concern, Elizabeth perceived that something was amiss between them and that their relationship was no longer the same.

Two days before the ceremony, several guests arrived at Netherfield, among them Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and George Wickham.

Mr. Darcy sent a beautiful letter to Mr. Bingley, wishing him every happiness, and presented Jane with a set of china made especially for her.

Unfortunately, he could not attend the wedding, as he was still recovering from a severe cold, and his doctor would not permit him to leave the house.

Wickham had hoped Mr. Darcy would lend him one of his luxurious carriages to travel with Georgiana. But by the time he sought his godfather, Richard and Georgiana had already departed. Thus, Mr. Darcy lent him only a modest carriage with a single coachman.

Although Georgiana had not confided in her cousin, Richard perceived that she wished to avoid Wickham’s company.

It had been her idea to leave London without informing her father’s godson.

Richard hoped she would eventually explain what troubled her, but he knew he must proceed with caution, for Georgiana was shy and ever fearful of creating discord.

They arrived at Netherfield shortly before dinner. After being warmly welcomed by the Bingley sisters, Georgiana and the Colonel retired to their rooms to rest and prepare for the evening.

Meanwhile, William had promised Mr. Bingley to assist with certain documents the solicitor had sent.

Once he had received Bingley’s urgent express, Mr. Holt had found ample time to answer every question and supply the requested papers.

Mr. Bingley was greatly pleased with William’s generous help.

In his view, William Dalton was the only man who had aided him without expecting some favour in return.

Intelligent and industrious, William had, in three days, resolved matters that Bingley had struggled to understand for nearly a month.

“My dear, I would have loved to dine with you and my mother, but I promised Bingley my assistance. Sometimes I find it difficult to believe your brother-in-law is twenty-four. I cannot fathom why his father kept him from the family business only to encourage him to be an estate owner. The poor man knows nothing, and I fear many have noticed it and taken advantage of him.”

“William, I am proud of you for helping Charles and devoting time to concerns that are not your own. That proves that, besides being handsome, you possess a generous heart,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

“Do you truly think me handsome, my dear Elizabeth?”

“Do not be vain, William. In the future, I shall say nothing more of your appearance.”

He gazed at her silently for several moments, then replied in a voice shaken by emotion. “No, my love, I ask because it moves me to hear you say so. I find you so beautiful and perfect that at times I can scarcely believe you have chosen to love me.”

Elizabeth blushed and answered softly, “Of course, I find you handsome and wonderful; that is why I love you so much. To me, you are perfect.”

They were outside awaiting William’s horse and, for a brief moment, alone. William took Elizabeth’s face in his hands and kissed her lips—first tenderly, then with ardour. But when they heard someone approaching, they broke apart.

“I shall see you tomorrow, my sweet love,” William said, pressing her hand to his lips.

“I shall be waiting for you, my dear William,” Elizabeth replied, watching as he rode away from Longbourn.

When William arrived at Netherfield, he changed for dinner, prepared to spend the evening resolving Charles’s difficulties. But upon entering the room, he was pleasantly surprised to find Richard Fitzwilliam in animated conversation with Mr. Bingley.

“William Dalton! I was astonished when Bingley told me you were here at Netherfield. And even more astonished when he told me you were engaged and soon to be married,” Richard said with his usual humour, greeting his friend warmly.

“And how is it that you know each other?” Caroline asked with disdain.

“Dalton is not only my business partner, Miss Bingley, but also my friend,” Richard replied.

“Business? I did not know an Earl’s son could be so familiar with a tradesman,” Caroline said mockingly.

She despised Mr. Dalton more each day. She and Louisa could not deny his beneficial influence on Charles, though they would never admit it.

Worse still, he looked particularly handsome that evening, reminding her that Eliza Bennet would soon have a husband of striking presence.

“Because I am the son of an Earl, I am accustomed to a comfortable life. I must therefore invest wisely to preserve it. And there is no man I trust more than my intelligent and honourable friend William Dalton,” Richard retorted sarcastically.

He had never understood the Bingley sisters’ eagerness to repudiate their own origins.

William merely smiled, unmoved by Caroline’s flippant remarks and Louisa’s scornful glances. He cared little for their opinions, though he could not understand why Caroline watched him so closely and sought his attention when it was evident he did not value hers.

“William, allow me to introduce you to my cousin, who is more like a little sister to me,” Richard said, beckoning Georgiana. “This mischievous young lady is my lovely cousin, Georgiana Darcy. Georgie, this is my friend William Dalton, of whom I spoke to you recently.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dalton,” Georgiana said softly. As she lifted her eyes, she started, for something in his countenance seemed strangely familiar, as though she had seen him before.

William, too, was taken aback when he beheld her pale face. He was certain he had seen it somewhere, though he could not recall where. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Darcy.”

Caroline, unwilling to be excluded, soon inserted herself into the conversation.

At dinner, William and Georgiana exchanged a few words, yet they often looked at one another and smiled.

Georgiana noted his bearing and features—so like her own family’s—and she thought that, had her brother lived, he might have resembled the gentleman.

The notion filled her with sudden affection, strengthened by the tenderness in William’s gaze.

After dinner, the company remained together in the drawing room for some time before the new arrivals, fatigued from their journey, retired early.

Mr. Bingley, his brother-in-law, and his sisters sat down to cards, while William withdrew to the study to examine maps and contracts.

Once he had put everything in order, he retired, exhausted.

Meanwhile, Bingley continued to play late into the night and lost a considerable sum to Mr. Hurst.

◆◆◆

“Son, let me read you your favourite story...”

“Mrs. Da—, you should rest; you are still unwell...”

“I am quite well, Mrs. Rey... I only wish to spend time with my son... Fitzwilliam, come to your mama...”

“Yes, mama, I love this story... Miss Darcy, why are you my mother?”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam, I am your mother, my dear boy.”

“No! My mother is Violet Dalton!” William cried, awakening in horror.

His body was drenched in cold sweat, and his breath came in hurried gasps.

For several moments, he could not distinguish dream from reality, until the familiar sight of his chamber assured him he was awake.

The dreadful vision had vanished, yet his heart continued to race, tormented by shadows of the past he could not comprehend.