Page 36 of Missing

"I shall see what I can do," Charles replied. Yet in truth, he had no intention of rehiring Randall she thought him controlling and manipulative, though she knew Caroline often exaggerated.

But on that subject, Jane found herself entirely in agreement with Caroline and Louisa.

Wishing to support her husband, she resolved to speak to Elizabeth and beg her to persuade Mr. Dalton not to take advantage of Charles's good nature, nor to influence him to do whatever he pleased.

◆◆◆

William had been estranged from Elizabeth for two days and was utterly miserable. His mother had advised him to apologise, but he was uncertain why he ought to do so. He had merely asked honest and open questions, and his wife had not answered directly.

Deep down, he did not wish to admit that he had failed to master his jealousy and had allowed himself to be carried away by Wickham's malicious insinuations.

He remained late at his office, returning home only in time for dinner to avoid speaking to his mother or quarrelling with Elizabeth.

After dinner, he went to his wife's chamber, read a little, and then slept beside her.

At least she had not asked him to leave her room, for that would have broken his heart.

Even while they were estranged, William needed to sleep near Elizabeth.

One morning, William was in his office reading complex documents regarding the movement of goods in the port when his secretary informed him that he had a visitor. To his relief, it was Colonel Fitzwilliam, with whom he always enjoyed conversing.

After greeting one another warmly, Richard told William that he would soon travel north and remain there for at least a month.

William, in turn, spoke of his business and of the excellent results his first investments had produced.

The firm already had a solid customer base and had secured a significant contract to supply several army departments.

"Dalton, you cannot imagine how grateful I am that you allowed me to invest with you. I have been reflecting much upon the prospect of retirement, and having a permanent source of income will greatly assist me when I make my final decision, probably in two or three years."

"I remember you mentioned that you wished to be at leisure to accompany your cousin when she makes her debut in society," William observed.

"That is correct. As you know, she is the sole heiress of my uncle George, and when he dies she will become one of the wealthiest women in England," Richard explained.

"I imagine that will make her the target of many unscrupulous men."

"You already know one who wishes to take advantage of her.

Fortunately, I spoke with my uncle, and he has resolved that the scoundrel shall only be admitted by special invitation, and he may never be near Georgiana unless another person is present.

Although my uncle has always defended that fool, I know that deep down he recognises the danger he poses to his daughter, and therefore he will keep him at bay. "

"I am glad your uncle has at last understood what kind of man Wickham is. I had the misfortune of encountering him a few days ago, and I nearly struck him again in the middle of the street," William said, and then recounted the incident in detail, for he wished to hear his friend's advice.

"I hope you did not heed his deceitful words, Dalton. That scoundrel is poisonous, and I am certain he hates you because you ruined his schemes to importune Georgiana. He knows that your weak point is your wife, and he will exploit that without hesitation."

"The thing is…" William hesitated.

"What happened? Did you quarrel with your wife because of that wretch?"

"Yes… I suppose he perceived that my love for Elizabeth is my weakness, and he said precisely what was needed to enrage me."

"I have known Wickham all my life, and he has ever been envious and vain. Do not allow him to interfere in your marriage," Richard urged. He continued speaking for several minutes, recounting stories from his youth that illustrated Wickham's cunning and manipulative ways.

"Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for your counsel. I believe I have behaved like a fool," William admitted, mortified.

The friends conversed a little longer, and then the colonel took his leave, promising to see William once more before travelling north. William too departed his office shortly thereafter, for he had some errands to perform before returning home.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth was seated near the window in the small room beside William's office.

She was despondent; she and her husband had been estranged for two days, and she missed him exceedingly.

She had not married to have a distant husband, and she longed for William to understand how unfair he had been.

Yet she was unwilling to apologise, for she knew she had done nothing wrong.

"Elizabeth," William said, as he saw his wife gazing almost absently out of the window.

Elizabeth rose, straightened her dress, and replied in an earnest tone. "I am sorry, William; I did not know you were here. Your mother is with the Gardiners. If you are hungry, we may dine now."

"It is still early for dinner, my dear. Please grant me a few minutes of your time, for I wish to tell you some things. I want to apologise for the childish manner in which I have acted. Elizabeth, I love you, and unfortunately, my love for you sometimes blinds me, and I feel very insecure."

"What do you mean you feel insecure? Do you suppose I could love another man?"

"No. I know you are an honourable woman and would never… Elizabeth, I am so afraid of losing your love."

Elizabeth bade her husband sit beside her and explain all that Wickham had said. It was painful for William, but he knew he must be honest with her. Elizabeth blushed, not from embarrassment but from rage at learning what that man had dared to imply.

"William, I shall not deny that when I first met Mr. Wickham, he appeared to be a pleasant gentleman. But now that I know his true nature, I wish never to see him again."

"I know, and I apologise for yielding to my jealousy. I was unfair to you and to our beautiful relationship."

"William, I, too, feel jealous when I perceive how other women look at you. Yet I do not permit such harmful feelings to come between us, for I trust you."

"And I trust you, my dearest… Oh, my beautiful Elizabeth, you cannot imagine how much I have missed you," William said, kissing his wife passionately for several minutes.

"My dear William, I too have missed your kisses," Elizabeth replied, her voice trembling with emotion.

"My love, there is one more thing I wish to clarify with you," William said. Taking his wife's hand, he spoke without pause. "Elizabeth, I know you have scarcely touched your pin money, and I do not quite comprehend why. Besides, I purchased this gift, and I wish you would accept it."

William drew a case from his coat pocket and placed it in her hands. Elizabeth opened it and was at once impressed and troubled. Inside lay earrings, a necklace, and a diamond ring. It must have cost a fortune, and she felt uneasy in accepting it.

"William, I value your thoughtfulness, but please, I do not desire you to spend so much upon me."

"Why not? Please be honest and tell me why you do not like my present."

"William, you are establishing a new business, and I…"

"Elizabeth, I am a wealthy man. I know how to manage money.

Pray accept my gifts, for it wounds me when you will not allow me to give you what you deserve.

Tomorrow we are invited to dine with a banker friend, and I wish my wife to appear as splendid as the wives of other successful tradesmen such as myself.

It is true that I am beginning a new business, yet that in no way alters the fortune I inherited from my father or the prosperity of my enterprise in Manchester. "

"I understand, and I beg your pardon if I offended you. My mother always spent more than she ought, and I do not wish to be like that."

"Then I believe we have at last cleared our misunderstandings," William said. He took his wife into his arms and kissed her for several minutes.

"William, my love… we must have dinner."

"I wish to dine in your room, my love," William said as he continued to kiss her.

"What will the servants think of us?"

"They will think I love you very dearly," William replied with a smile.

After dinner, and after speaking of what they had each done during the day, William and Elizabeth made love. Afterwards, they conversed for a long while and promised one another never to allow anything or anyone to create discord between them again.

"Thank you, William, for being such a good husband and making me so happy."

"Thank you, my darling, for forgiving me. I promise it will be the last time I give ear to the lies of that scoundrel or to anyone else who would sow conflict between us."

"I shall do the same, my love."

"I missed having you in my arms at night."

"William, you did embrace me yesterday whilst you were asleep," Elizabeth said, laughing.

"But it is not the same to embrace you when you are wearing your nightgown as when you are like this, my dearest. I love feeling your skin; it is so soft."

Elizabeth embraced her husband, and they kissed until they fell asleep. After several weeks of marriage, they no longer felt any reserve in sharing their bodies and their love freely.

Once William fell asleep, he again began to dream that he was in a place which, for reasons he could not explain, felt familiar.

'That toy is mine.'

'That is not true, Wickham; my papa gave it to me.'

'My mother told me that all this—the house, your toys, your pony, and everything—would be mine if you had not been born. My godfather loves me more because I am intelligent and do not stutter when I speak, as you do.'

'You are a bad boy, Wickham.'

'Do not cry, Master Fitzwilliam; do not listen to that spoiled child.'

'Thank you, Mrs. Rey…'

◆◆◆

Elizabeth was happy after having passed a delightful night with her husband. That morning, they had even breakfasted together in her chamber, and he had gone to his office much later than usual.

She was seated in the sitting room adjoining William's study, engaged in writing to her father, when a servant entered to inform her that Mrs. Bingley had come to call.

Elizabeth immediately went to receive her dear sister and conducted her into her favourite room in the house, a sunny apartment where she scarcely felt the severity of winter's chill.

Elizabeth was overjoyed that Jane had come to visit. She longed to tell her of all the happiness she had experienced during the past few days, but when she beheld her sister's grave countenance, she could not help but feel alarmed.

"Jane, forgive me for being so direct, but is something amiss? You appear uneasy."

"Yes, Lizzy, I have a problem."

Elizabeth seated herself beside Jane, took her hand tenderly, and said with affection, "Pray, dear sister, tell me how I may assist you."

Jane drew a deep breath, fixed her eyes upon Elizabeth, and said with unusual sharpness, "I want you to tell your husband not to interfere in Charles's affairs any longer, and to cease compelling him to do everything according to his will."

Elizabeth was struck dumb. She had never imagined that her beloved sister could speak of William in such a disrespectful manner.