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distraught, and Jonathan blamed himself for not having stopped the boys from riding out that day. You see, the Fitzwilliams lost young Edward on the same day. Oh, it was a dreadful time for all of us!"
Noting his grave expression, she stopped and said, "I did warn you they were not all happy stories."
"And your story, Emma, is it one of the happy ones?" he asked, quietly. Taken aback by his question, she was embarrassed and tongue-tied.
Seeing her discomfiture, he was immediately contrite, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to pry. It was not unkindly meant. If I have offended you, Emma, I apologise."
Emma found her voice in time to assure him that she was certainly not offended. How could she be? "I know you were not intending to pry, and I do thank you for your concern, but there is very little to tell. It was not very long after the deaths of William and Edward. I was very young, very sad, and rather lonely in London. I fell in love and married David. At the time, I believed I was the happiest girl in London. Everyone told me I was the most fortunate."
He persisted, though gently, taking her hand in his. "And are you happy now?" he asked.
One of the children stirred and glancing quickly at her, Emma gently withdrew her hand from his--but in that instant, meeting his eyes, she knew she could not lie. Uneasy, she bit her lip and shook her head.
His entire expression changed as her meaning sank in. Looking most concerned, he turned to her and said, "Emma, is there anything I can do to help?"
When she said nothing, he continued, "It grieves me that you have joined our family and you are unhappy. I would certainly like to help. I know you cannot speak of it now, but at a more appropriate time and place, will you tell me about it?" He sounded anxious and concerned.
Looking directly at him, but unwilling to speak lest the nurse or one of the children should hear, she nodded and said, "Thank you, yes," in a voice that was hardly audible.
Darkness had fallen as they reached the outskirts of London. The streets were busier and noisier. James returned to his place beside the window opposite Emma, but before he moved, placed his hand on hers to reassure her. Without understanding why, Emma felt she was not as alone as she had been before. While nothing had happened to relieve her situation in any way, the merest glimmer of hope, which had resulted from their brief conversation, seemed to lift a weight from her heart as the carriage pulled up before the house in Mayfair.
They had travelled as expeditiously as possible, breaking journey only for a meal and to rest the horses, arriving around dinner time.
Mrs Wilson, who was entertaining a couple of old friends from Bath-- a Colonel and Mrs Barclay--welcomed them home. She was happy to see them, especially Victoria and Stephanie, who were her particular favourites.
She informed them that David had not yet returned, having gone out directly after tea with another Member of Parliament. "I assume he will be back for dinner. We shall wait half an hour for him, no more," she said for the benefit of the hovering servants.
Emma was genuinely pleased, and the relief she felt lightened her manner as she greeted her mother-in-law. James Wilson noted that she had lost the look of apprehension that he had seen on her face as they approached the house. There was no doubt in his mind that she was relieved at not having to face her husband upon arrival, grateful to have time to prepare herself for their meeting. Clearly, she feared his disapproval.
James could only guess at the reasons for her trepidation. Neither his brother nor their mother had ever spoken of any problems between David and his wife. But, having observed his sister-in-law's demeanour, her happy, relaxed manner when she was at Pemberley with her family and friends, and her reluctant confession of unhappiness as they journeyed home, James Wilson was convinced that something was wrong, and he was quite determined to discover what it was.
Since