Page 48 of Missing

Violet did not wish to be near William. She needed time to think and decide what to do with all the information that kept her awake at night.

Thus, she asked her niece, Madeline, to receive her at her house for a few days.

She told Mrs. Gardiner that she desired to allow William and Elizabeth some privacy, and her niece was only too happy to oblige.

For their part, William and Elizabeth noted that Violet was not the cheerful and amiable lady she had always been, yet they attributed her melancholy to how much she missed her husband.

They themselves were so happy to be reunited that they scarcely realised what was happening around them.

Almost ten days apart had taught them how deeply they needed each other and how much they wished to make the most of their time together.

"William, I loved the opera. The theatre was magnificent, and the music was exceptional. Thank you so much for taking me to such a splendid place," Elizabeth said, as she removed her gloves and coat. They had only just returned, yet Elizabeth could not stop speaking of all she had observed.

"I also enjoyed the music, and I must admit that the quality of the musicians and singers is far superior to what is offered in Manchester."

"Did you go to the theatre and the opera very often?" Elizabeth asked.

"Every time I could. My father purchased a small box about ten years ago. It is a modest theatre, and there is not as much variety as in London."

"So you do have a box at the theatre in Manchester?"

"We have a box, Mrs. Dalton. But I must warn you, it is small and cannot be compared to Mr. Barrett's."

"That does not matter. If there is room for you, me, and our mother, I shall be delighted to attend frequently," Elizabeth replied, kissing her husband on the cheek.

"I am glad you love my mother so dearly; she is very important to me," William said. Then he cupped his wife's face and kissed her passionately. "I think it is time for us to retire, my dear."

"Do you mean to sleep, William?" Elizabeth asked with a mischievous smile.

"You know very well what I mean, Mrs. Dalton," William answered, sweeping her into his arms.

When they reached Elizabeth's room, and while William was ardently kissing her neck, she spoke in a way that confused him. "William, I must ask you a question before… well, you know."

"My dear, can it not wait until tomorrow?" William said, silencing her with another passionate kiss.

"William, please…"

"Very well, what do you wish to know?"

"Why were you so harsh with Mr. Oliver Barrett? I thought you were friends."

William grew serious, removed his cravat, and replied with studied calm. "I am a friend of James Barrett, Oliver's elder brother. I hardly know him."

"I had the impression you did not like him."

"And did you like him?"

"He seemed a pleasant gentleman, but I have only just met him. I have learnt that first impressions are often deceptive, which is why I preferred to ask you."

"The truth is, I know nothing of him."

"And why were you so unfriendly?"

"Because he kept looking at you, and sometimes I cannot master my jealousy… I am sorry, my dear, I am a fool."

"My love, you are a fool, but a fool I love with all my heart. And also, a fool who did not notice how many women were looking at you."

"Elizabeth, you are the only woman who interests me. My love, you cannot imagine the depth of my affection for you."

Elizabeth wished to hear no more and kissed her husband tenderly. William took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. They made love more than once that night and fell asleep, happy in each other's embrace.

The following morning, Elizabeth awoke before her husband.

William was fast asleep, unaware that she had been observing him for almost ten minutes.

She studied his face and recalled the portraits she had seen at Darcy House.

William's countenance was decidedly masculine, and she loved the sight of his features, shadowed by a growing beard.

She also noticed once more the curious mole behind his left ear, small but with the peculiar shape of a crescent moon.

Elizabeth knew William was adopted and wondered if such a mark might be distinctive of his birth family.

Her curious instinct prompted her to peer under the covers, for her husband was quite unclothed.

"And can you explain what you are doing, Mrs. Dalton?" William asked with a smile.

"William… I—" Elizabeth stammered, her face flushing red.

William drew her into his arms and began to kiss her neck while she laughed. At that moment, he wanted to think of nothing but Elizabeth. Yet he knew he could not continue to conceal all he had recently discovered.

"Elizabeth, I must tell you of certain matters that have been troubling me," William said, his tone suddenly grave.

Elizabeth, alarmed to see her husband so serious, asked at once, "William, is something wrong? Have I done anything to distress you?"

"No, my dear, last night was wonderful. Please do not be anxious, and let me explain." William gathered her into his arms, and as she rested her head upon his chest, he told her everything.

"I do not know whether what I see in my dreams is memories or merely imagination, but I feel ready to face the truth, whatever it may be."

"William, I want you to know that you have my unconditional support," Elizabeth said, kissing him.

"Thank you, my love; I know that when I must face my past, I shall need your love more than ever."

They talked for almost an hour, not only of William's unease, but of their future life in Manchester, their plans in London for the coming days, and even of the names they would give their future children.

◆◆◆

William took a few days' respite to visit several places with Elizabeth in London. They went to the museum, strolled in the park, and enjoyed their time together. He wished only to relish the calm days with his wife, for he knew that such peace and tranquillity would very soon come to an end.

At length, the day of the dinner at Lord Matlock's mansion arrived.

William and Elizabeth were a little nervous, though for very different reasons.

Elizabeth did not quite understand why they had been invited and was suspicious of their intentions.

She feared the gentleman would use his influence to compel William into business with him.

William, meanwhile, dreaded the possibility of discovering information for which he was not prepared.

Upon their arrival, the Countess received them warmly, while the Earl was somewhat more reserved, though civil. Richard greeted them with great effusion, sincerely delighted to welcome his dear friend and wife to his home. Georgiana, who had also been invited, was happy to see Elizabeth again.

Lord Matlock spent a few minutes conversing with William, inquiring about his business in London and his company in Manchester. Being aware that Richard had invested a significant portion of his savings, he was eager to know more. He himself was contemplating investments in trade.

"Mrs Dalton, allow me once again to express my gratitude for assisting my dear cousin when she most needed it," Richard said sincerely, approaching Elizabeth to thank her for what she had done for Georgiana.

He greatly admired his friend's wife, for she was not only pretty, but intelligent and generous.

"I was pleased to be of use to my dear friend, though I hope she shall never again be obliged to flee her home," Elizabeth replied anxiously.

"Fortunately, my uncle has at last perceived Wickham for what he truly is, and he has assured me that man shall never again set foot in Darcy House or at Pemberley."

"I am delighted for Georgiana, but also relieved that Mr Darcy has at last come to his senses," Elizabeth said. "It is difficult to comprehend how an intelligent gentleman such as he could allow himself to be so abused by that odious man."

"It is a most painful matter, but my uncle has ever felt indebted to Wickham, because his mother lost her life attempting to save my cousin," Richard explained.

"Georgiana told me of her deceased brother, but I did not know he had perished in an accident."

"It was most unfortunate. My cousin fell into a river, and Wickham's mother endeavoured to save him, but they both drowned."

"What a dreadful tragedy! Poor Mr and Mrs Darcy," Elizabeth exclaimed.

"The worst part is that my dear cousin's body was never recovered. My uncle and aunt were not even afforded the consolation of a grave to mourn at."

Richard continued to tell Elizabeth more about the tragic loss of the Darcy heir, whilst she could not help but glance repeatedly at her husband.

There was something about the story that unsettled her deeply, though she could not say why.

Her haunting thoughts were interrupted, however, by the arrival of the Viscount and his wife.

Lord Matlock introduced his other son and daughter-in-law to the Daltons, after which they proceeded to the dining room.

Following dinner, the ladies retired to the drawing room to speak of the new opera and other matters of London society.

The Countess and the Viscountess were much taken with Elizabeth, listening with pleasure to her lively and engaging conversation.

Meanwhile, in Lord Matlock's study, Roger was telling his father of the latest horse he had purchased, while the Earl advised him to economise and invest wisely.

The harvests of the last two years had been poor, and the Earl did not wish his son to face financial difficulties, for he himself would be unable to assist him.

Across the room, Colonel Fitzwilliam was confiding to his friend his plans for dealing with Wickham. "Tomorrow I shall go to that wretch in the slum where he lodges and tell him that if I so much as catch him near my uncle's house or my cousin, I shall kill him."