Page 41 of Missing

Elizabeth was waiting for William to return from the office.

She needed to tell him something important.

Violet was unwell and constantly coughing, though she insisted she felt well and would not rest as she ought.

Elizabeth and aunt Gardiner had not been able to persuade her to remain in bed, and they both knew that the only person capable of making her see reason was her son.

Yet Elizabeth was also worried about her husband.

Since their return from Darcy House several days earlier, he had been withdrawn and absent.

Though he still slept beside her, he no longer sought her embrace or her love.

Before going to sleep, he would simply tell her “I love you” and kiss her cheek, and even with his eyes closed, Elizabeth knew he remained awake, distressed by thoughts he would not share.

It hurt her that he was so distant, but it hurt her more that he could not tell her what was troubling him.

She could not confide in Violet, who was ill and in need of rest, and who would only become alarmed if she knew her son was burdened. Elizabeth, therefore, spoke to aunt Gardiner, who advised her gently to talk openly with her husband.

William, meanwhile, was tormented by his recurring nightmares, which by now seemed more like memories.

It unsettled him to feel so little control over those unwanted thoughts when his life otherwise held so much happiness.

Worst of all, his unease was pushing him away from Elizabeth.

How could he explain to the woman he most admired and loved that his mind was full of images he did not understand?

She deserved better than to be married to a man plagued by foolish, inexplicable dreams.

Therefore, he preferred to remain all day at his office, arriving home late and excusing himself after dinner to lock himself in his study under the pretext of work. His only consolation was to feel Elizabeth beside him at night, even if he lay in silence.

When he came home that evening, the butler opened the door, and William was surprised to see Elizabeth waiting for him.

At once, he sought to excuse himself so he might escape to his study, but she stopped him.

With a serious tone, she asked him to accompany her to the drawing room, for she wished to speak with him before dinner.

“I am sorry, my dear, but I have much work to do. I shall ask you to be brief. I must write letters to my associates in Manchester,” William said, avoiding her gaze. He disliked lying to her, but he felt he had no other choice.

“Do not worry, William, I shall be brief. I know your work is the most important thing to you, and I do not wish to interrupt you more than necessary,” Elizabeth replied, her voice tinged with pain.

“Elizabeth…” William began, wishing to apologise, but she did not allow it.

“I want to talk to you about your mother. She has not obeyed the doctor’s advice and has been coughing all day.

Aunt Gardiner and I tried to persuade her to rest, but she would not listen.

This morning, we went with her to the orphanage, and she returned worse than before.

Please, you must insist that she remain in bed.

Tomorrow I shall ask the doctor to visit her again.

That is all; now, if you will excuse me, I shall ask the housekeeper to serve dinner in fifteen minutes.

” Elizabeth could not bear to remain near him; his distant manner hurt her too much.

“Elizabeth, please wait,” William said, trying to calm her.

“Do you want something particular for dinner?” she asked defiantly.

“No, dearest. I only wish to thank you for caring for my mother. She has always been strong and healthy, and she finds it difficult to accept being ill, much less to remain in bed.”

“Then I hope you can convince her, William. Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak with Mrs. Taylor.”

It pained William that Elizabeth was so cold, yet he did not blame her; he knew he had been distant. But he had another pressing task: persuading his mother to stay in bed.

Violet was in her chamber coughing when her son entered. “Son, what are you doing here? We should go to the dining room.”

“You are going nowhere, Mother. You must stay in bed, and I shall order a servant to bring you dinner,” William said firmly.

“Son, please do not insist; I am well,” Violet protested, only to be seized by another cough.

“Mother, if you had cared for yourself properly, you would be well by now. Please, go to bed and promise me you will remain there until the doctor sees you tomorrow.”

At last, after several minutes of insistence, Violet yielded. William saw that she ate, kissed her forehead, and then went down to dinner with his wife.

Throughout dinner, Elizabeth said nothing. She had hoped William would share something of his day, but he remained silent. Wishing only to end the uncomfortable silence, William ate hastily and excused himself.

“My dear, I shall work for several hours. You need not remain awake until I retire.”

“I think you had better sleep in your own room tonight,” Elizabeth said impulsively.

“If that is what you wish, I shall do it,” William replied quietly, and he left for his study.

Elizabeth meant to go to her room, but she remembered aunt Gardiner’s words. Resolute, she went to the study and entered without waiting for an answer.

“I am sorry, William, but I must tell you something.”

“Elizabeth, we can speak tomorrow… I have too much on my mind at present.”

“Do not worry, I have the solution to all your problems. Please be honest: have you ceased to love me, or do you regret marrying me? If so, I shall go to my uncle’s house this very night…” She could not finish, for she began to weep.

“My love, do not say that,” William cried, attempting to embrace her.

“No, William, do not call me my love if you mean to ignore me the rest of the evening. You are mistaken if you think I shall endure such treatment…”

“Elizabeth, it is only that I…” He held her tightly,

whispering words of affection. “Elizabeth, I love you with all my heart, more than on the day we married. Never doubt my love.”

“And how can I not doubt it, when for the past week you scarcely speak to me, and at night you will not even come near me?”

“Elizabeth, it is just… I love you and wish to be with you always, but…”

“But what? Why will you not trust me?”

“Because I do not want to burden you with my troubles.”

“William, I am your wife. It is my place to help and support you, just as you have always done, and would do, for me.”

“Of course, my love; you may always count on me.”

William led her to the small sofa in his study, sat, and drew her into his lap.

Resting his head upon her chest, and soothed by her caresses, he finally told her how Violet had found him in the river more than twenty years earlier.

He could not bring himself to confess his doubts about the Darcy family—he was too ashamed—yet he admitted that his dreams troubled him deeply.

“Sometimes I have nightmares, and I do not know how to bear those emotions.”

“William, thank you for telling me, and forgive me for my impatience. Your distance pains me more than I can say.”

Elizabeth kissed her husband, and he surrendered to the comfort she gave him. At that moment, he understood that her love was the only cure for his despair.

“You do not need to apologise, darling. I am the one who has been a fool,” William said thickly, his voice overcome by passion. “My love, let us go to your room.”

“And your work?” Elizabeth asked with a playful smile.

“The only thing on my mind is loving my wife,” William said, lifting her into his arms.

That night, they shared their love and spoke of fears and joys. William swore he would be more open and honest with her.

“I love you, Elizabeth.”

“And I love you, William.”

He embraced her and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, free from fear.

The following morning, William received an express message from one of his associates in Manchester.

Two new investors wished to participate in one of his latest projects—industrial production of wool and cotton.

They insisted on closing the deal with him personally, so he had no choice but to travel.

What at first seemed an inconvenience became an opportunity: he might travel with Elizabeth, spend several days together, and show her his house in Manchester and all his businesses. It would be like a second honeymoon. Elated, he worked only half the day and then returned home with the news.

“Elizabeth, I have excellent news for you,” William said as he led her into his study. After kissing her for several minutes, he smiled. “Tomorrow we shall travel to Manchester for a few days, and I shall finally show you your house and the business my father built with his labour and dedication.”

He was about to kiss her again, but was surprised to see she did not look pleased.

“You did not like my surprise? After last night, I thought you had forgiven me.”

“William, it is not that. Your mother has a high fever. The doctor says it is not serious, but she must be cared for.”

“Elizabeth, I must travel. I have waited nearly two years to bring this project to life.”

“I know, my love. You may travel, and I shall take care of Mama Violet,” Elizabeth replied with resignation.

“Thank you, my dear. Still, I cannot deny that travelling with you would be far better than going alone. But if my mother needs you, I must resign myself.”

“I could not feel easy leaving her to the care of servants.”

“Thank you, my dearest, for loving my mother as much as I do.” He kissed and held her close.

The following morning, William bade farewell with passionate kisses, wishing only that he might return to her as soon as possible.

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“It is good to see you better, Mama Violet,” Elizabeth said, taking a seat beside her mother-in-law’s bed.