Page 34 of Missing
“I hope so, my love. If he does not grow up soon, he could face serious financial difficulties. But tell me, how was your day?”
Elizabeth described her visit to Georgiana’s house and her impression of Mr. Darcy. “He is friendly and seems not at all pretentious like many gentlemen of his class.”
“When I first met him, he struck me as a serious man; of course, I only saw him for ten minutes,” William replied, pouring his wife a glass of wine.
“He is very kind, though I have the impression he is a man who has known great sorrow. Well, he lost his wife when Georgiana was only two.”
“I understand. If I lost you, I believe I should never be able to smile again,” William said so seriously that Elizabeth was alarmed. She kissed his hand and changed the subject.
“William, I shall tell you something that caught my attention, but I hope you will not laugh at me.”
William immediately softened, unwilling to dwell on the horror of losing his wife. “I promise not to laugh, unless what you tell me is too absurd.”
“It is a little absurd, but I shall tell you anyway. You know, you look very much like Mr. Darcy and his father. I saw a painting of Mr. Darcy at about your age, and you look very similar.”
“Elizabeth, I have a very ordinary appearance, and that is why I resemble many people,” William said, finishing the last sip of wine in his glass. They had finished their meal and now sat talking, their hands entwined.
“Believe me, William, you do not look like an ordinary man at all—quite the opposite,” Elizabeth said emphatically.
Seeing him look at her curiously, she added, “William, you are tall and handsome, and your face and form are like the statue of a Greek god I once saw in the museum. In other words, you have nothing in common with most men.”
She noticed him gazing at her intently, and she blushed when she realised she had spoken aloud the thoughts she carried every time she looked at him.
William stood, lifted Elizabeth into his arms, and carried her to her bed without a word. He kissed her passionately for a long while until at last they made love and fell asleep in each other’s embrace.
An hour later, Elizabeth awoke, feeling embarrassed. She was entirely unclothed. Since their marriage, it was the first time they had removed all their garments to make love, and the night was rather cold. She tried to reach her nightgown on the floor, but in so doing, she woke William.
“What is it, my love?” William asked sleepily.
“It is only that I am a little cold,” Elizabeth replied.
“Come here,” William murmured, wrapping his arms around her. “I love you, Elizabeth Dalton.”
“And I love you, William Dalton,” Elizabeth whispered, and she fell asleep again in the arms of her wonderful, beloved husband.
◆◆◆
“Do you like these gloves, Lizzy? I like the design but not the color,” Georgiana said as she looked at a pair of gloves in a shop window.
“Yes, the color is too bright for my taste. However, I am sure Caroline Bingley would love them,” Elizabeth replied, and Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley laughed.
Georgiana had asked Elizabeth to go shopping with her because it was Lord Matlock’s birthday, and the following evening, she and her father were invited to a dinner in his honor.
The truth was, however, that she sought any excuse to be near her new favourite friend.
To her, Elizabeth was the companion she had always longed for, a kind of elder sister who welcomed, advised, and valued her.
Mr. Darcy was feeling much improved and had almost entirely recovered from the cold that had left him so ill for many weeks.
But, as was usual since his wife’s passing, once restored, he devoted much of his day to work.
He could not yet travel to Pemberley, but from London, he continued to manage everything.
Thus, Georgiana preferred to spend most of her days at the Dalton house, which, although smaller and in a less fashionable neighbourhood, was full of love and joy.
There, she did not feel so lonely. Elizabeth and Mr. Dalton were so kind and so perfectly suited to one another that Georgiana often daydreamed they were part of her own family.
Mrs. Dalton, too, was most welcoming and had become an excellent friend to Mrs. Annesley.
Fortunately, her father liked Elizabeth very much, so he always permitted his daughter to visit, provided Mrs. Annesley accompanied her.
Elizabeth also found comfort in Georgiana, for Jane was not always available. Some days she spent the entire day with her, and they seemed like close sisters once again. But at other times, Jane would vanish for days and send only a note, claiming she was busy.
“I think these gloves are much prettier, and they match the dress you plan to wear tomorrow,” Elizabeth said.
“You are right; these will look much nicer than those,” Georgiana replied happily. “And you, Elizabeth, what shall you buy?”
“I do not need anything, dear. I have no plans to attend a grand ball or elegant dinner.” Elizabeth had never liked to spend money unnecessarily, especially now that she wished to support her husband in his new business.
After buying all she required, Georgiana invited Elizabeth to take tea in one of London’s most exclusive tea rooms. They talked for almost an hour before it was time for both to return home.
George Wickham had indeed kept his promise not to visit Darcy House unless invited by his godfather and to remain at a distance from Georgiana.
But he did not intend to stay entirely away from her.
He knew his financial circumstances demanded that he guarantee the one connection that could solve all his difficulties.
Fortunately, he had secured an ally at Darcy House who reported Georgiana’s every step.
That day, his informant had learned from Georgiana’s maid that she would go shopping and afterwards take tea at her favourite tea room.
Thus, Wickham contrived to meet her by chance and seize an opportunity to speak with her.
But when he found Georgiana, to his surprise, she was conversing animatedly with the beautiful Elizabeth Bennet.
“Good afternoon, lovely ladies. What a pleasure to see you. How are you?” Wickham asked with a broad smile.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth replied in surprise.
“Good afternoon, George,” Georgiana said nervously.
Fortunately, Richard and Mrs. Annesley had already discussed Wickham and agreed that he must never be allowed an opportunity to speak with Georgiana.
“Mrs. Dalton, Mr. Wickham, unfortunately, we must leave immediately; Colonel Fitzwilliam must be waiting for us at home,” Mrs. Annesley explained.
“Yes, Lizzy, my cousin needs to talk to me. But I shall send you a note to let you know when we may meet for lunch,” Georgiana said.
“I am so sorry you must leave, my dear Georgiana, but it was delightful to see you,” Wickham answered with a feigned smile. Inwardly, he cursed Mrs. Annesley, convinced she had schemed with Richard to keep Georgiana from him.
Elizabeth escorted Georgiana to her carriage and bade her a warm farewell. Then she waited for her own, which was to arrive in a few minutes.
She did not perceive Wickham watching her intently. He thought her even more attractive than before. Married life, in his opinion, had enhanced her charms, and he began to consider that an affair with her might be most agreeable, even if it brought him no financial benefit.
William had finished his work as early as possible, for he longed to spend the afternoon with his wife.
In recent days, he had left the house very early and returned late at night.
He felt guilty for neglecting Elizabeth, though he thought of her constantly.
He loved everything about her—her face, her figure, her mind, her affectionate nature.
Every day, he was more deeply in love and more grateful for her tender passion, which filled his life with delight.
When William returned home, his mother told him that Elizabeth had gone shopping with Miss Darcy and would afterwards take tea. He decided to meet her there, and on the way, take her to a jeweller his friend had recommended, to surprise her with a gift.
But when William was less than a block from the tea room, he saw Elizabeth conversing with a man who looked uncomfortably familiar.
“Elizabeth, you do not know how much I miss our delightful conversations. I imagine you remember how often we talked when I was in Hertfordshire. Ever since we met at that assembly, we have always been excellent friends,” Wickham said, fixing his gaze on her.
“Mr. Wickham, I must beg you not to speak to me in that manner. Do not forget that I am Mrs. Dalton now,” Elizabeth replied indignantly. “My carriage has arrived. Goodbye, sir.”
She attempted to walk towards the corner where her coachman was waiting, but Wickham seized her arm and said in a honeyed voice, “I do not know why you treat me with such indifference now, when you were always so lively and playful with me before.”
“Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said, struggling to free herself.
“Elizabeth, why are you so elusive…?”
“Let go of my wife, Wickham,” William said, unable to contain his anger.