Page 26 of Missing

Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana remained with Violet to protect her from the vipers' tongues.

Richard also wished to arrange a future visit for his cousin to the Daltons in London.

He knew well that Georgiana required friends she might trust, for he had not failed to notice Wickham circling her like a hawk in search of prey.

Richard understood that the long periods he and his parents spent away from London left his cousin exposed to that scoundrel's attentions.

Elizabeth proposed that they take the path leading to the northern boundary of Netherfield, where it adjoined Longbourn. After walking nearly half a mile in near silence, she resolved to speak.

"William, why are you so quiet? Do not tell me it is because of Miss Bingley. You were already silent before she began her ridiculous comments. Is something amiss with your business?"

William felt a little ashamed but chose to be honest and offer his apology. "Forgive my mood, and forgive, too, my reaction to that woman's insults. I know she spoke only to provoke you, and I ought to have ignored her. But I could not endure such disrespect towards you… and also…"

"What is it, William?" Elizabeth asked anxiously.

"I hardly know… I suppose I felt insecure seeing you converse so kindly with Fitzwilliam. He is the son of an Earl, and I am only an orphan… Elizabeth, I—"

"William, are you jealous of Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"No—well, perhaps… I do not know. Elizabeth, I love you so deeply that at times I feel I do not deserve you, and I live in dread of losing you."

"My dearest, do not speak so. I love you, and I shall always love you—" Elizabeth could not finish her assurance, for William caught her in his arms and kissed her.

They embraced passionately for several minutes.

Yet William knew he must not allow himself to continue, for he would not expose Elizabeth to malicious gossip should they be observed.

"I am sorry, Elizabeth, but we must not kiss in such a manner. Promise me, my love, that we shall marry soon, so that we may be together always."

"Yes, I too long to be your wife. What if we get married at the end of this month? We already have my father's blessing," Elizabeth said with a radiant smile.

"And I can purchase a license tomorrow," William replied with equal joy.

"Then there is no reason to delay our wedding, my love."

William offered his arm, and they began to return to Netherfield. Yet Elizabeth asked him to deviate slightly, wishing to show him a spot particularly dear to her childhood.

"It looks bleak now in the cold, but in summer this river is magnificent. Here, John Lucas taught his elder sister and me to fish," Elizabeth explained.

At once, William grew very nervous, though he strove to conceal it, pretending to listen while scarcely understanding her words. All he could truly hear was the sound of the river.

"On this rock we sat for hours waiting for a fish—"

As Elizabeth climbed upon the large rock by the water, she lost her balance, but William instantly caught her in his arms. He clung to her, uttering broken, senseless phrases as he kissed her forehead and cheeks.

"Never approach that river again; it is dangerous… No, I cannot do anything, it is dark and cold… Mrs. Wick— the river is deep… Elizabeth, my Elizabeth, never go near this river or any other, never. Do you understand me? NEVER."

"William, are you unwell?" Elizabeth asked, alarmed by his agitation.

She took his arm and gently guided him back to the path, speaking soothingly until he regained composure. At last, William confessed that as a child, he had once nearly drowned, and ever since, he had dreaded the water.

Elizabeth suspected there was more to the story than he revealed, but perceiving his embarrassment, she refrained from pressing him further.

"My dearest, I do not know what overcame me. I promise I shall not act so rashly again. Believe me, it will not happen again."

"Then let us forget it, William, and speak instead of our wedding."

"An excellent idea, my dear Elizabeth," he said, kissing her cheek, eager to dismiss the unpleasant memory.

When they returned to Netherfield, Elizabeth and Violet departed for Longbourn, while Jane remained with Mr. Bingley to arrange the last details of the wedding.

William, exhausted, went to his chamber and slept for nearly two hours. His dreams were again haunted by that night in the river, clinging to a tree branch. When he awoke, he was bewildered, for his nightmares grew ever more confusing.

Mrs. Wickham? Why does the woman of my dreams bear that man's name?

◆◆◆

Mr. Hill entered his master's study to serve him tea, for he knew that Mr. Bennet always enjoyed a cup after many hours of reading.

"Mr. Hill, can you tell Lizzy to come to my study?" Mr. Bennet wished his daughter to assist him with some papers and play a game of chess with him.

"Pardon me, sir, but Miss Lizzy is not here."

Mr. Bennet consulted his pocket watch and asked with curiosity, "Do you know where my daughter is?"

"I believe she is at Netherfield visiting Mr. Dalton. She and Mrs. Dalton left before noon for Mr. Bingley's estate."

"I see."

Mr. Hill placed the tray upon the table and withdrew. But Mr. Bennet could not return to his book, for a shade of uneasiness overcame him. Of late, he scarcely saw Elizabeth, and he realized that his daughter hardly spent any time with him.

'If this Dalton loves my daughter as much as he claims, he must be patient and wait. I am not willing to lose my dear Lizzy so soon.'