Chapter 26 #2
Jane knew there was something more behind it all, but she did not wish to force her husband to speak of something that troubled him so deeply.
Instead, each night she nestled in his arms and told him how much she loved him until he drifted off to sleep.
Whenever she felt him become restless, she embraced him and whispered words of love until he calmed down.
After she had done the same for two consecutive nights, Matthew no longer became agitated and was finally able to relax and fully enjoy the remaining days alone with his new wife.
“I shall miss all of this, my love. Once we return to London, I have a very important matter to resolve. After that, we shall travel to Liverpool to meet my sister and her family,” Matthew said cheerfully. He was happy, and he felt that Jane’s love and patience were a balm to his soul.
“I very much wish to meet your sister. From everything you have told me, your mother and father were always very close. Do you have any family in Spain? If we ever visit your mother’s family, I should like you to teach me some Spanish so that I may speak with them. ?Por favor, senor!”
Jane meant the remark playfully, but she immediately saw her husband stiffen and realised that he did not like speaking about them.
“I have no contact with my mother’s family, and we shall never have any dealings with them, so you need not concern yourself about that,” Matthew replied curtly.
Matthew immediately realised that he had spoken too harshly and quickly sought to lighten the conversation.
“I am sorry, my love,” I should not have said that. But also, if I teach you Spanish, I shall no longer be able to whisper all those things you seem to enjoy so much without you discovering that your husband is rather indecent.”
Jane blushed and asked sheepishly, “Are those things you whisper to me when we are together really so improper? You always say the same words: ‘Mi amor…’”
Matthew could not help laughing heartily.
“I see you are an excellent student. I shall have to be more careful in future.”
“Well, there is this,” Matthew continued, and he leaned over to whisper, in his most seductive-sounding voice, "Tu cuerpo es precioso. Quiero morderte el cuello… durante horas."
He translated, "Your body is beautiful. I want to bite your neck... for hours."
Jane replied, "Mr Andrews de la Garza... I am scandalised!" her voice filled with faux outrage and mirth because she was anything but.
"Now you understand why I only say them en espanol!" grinned Matthew.
Then she smiled. "Do you really think I am... precioso?" she asked shyly, doing her absolute best to match his Spanish accent, not knowing she should say "preciosa" in reference to herself to match her gender.
"?Es la verdad! ?Absolutamente, sin duda alguna!" He replied happily.
**It is the truth. Absolutely. Without a doubt!
“What other phrases do you use?” Jane asked curiously.
Matthew smiled and drew her gently into his arms.
“Come here, and I shall explain. Mi único y gran amor,” he whispered, “That means, my one great love.”
After that, neither of them spoke another word. They wished only to savour the last evening of their honeymoon together.
◆◆◆
The day after Henry had called upon Lady Emma, she returned his visit without delay.
Without the slightest encouragement, she approached him most suggestively, and he took advantage of the opportunity.
That very day, he succeeded in making her his mistress, and from then on she visited him daily, often remaining with him for more than a single night.
For years, Henry had imagined how he would exact his revenge, and now he followed his plan exactly as he had intended.
He persuaded Lady Emma to write him letters filled with indiscreet descriptions of everything they did together whenever they shared his bed.
The next step was to have his servants quietly spread rumours among the servants of neighbouring houses about Lady Emma’s frequent visits.
Finally, he intended to slip one of her letters to the scandal pages of a newspaper before returning to his former life in India, satisfied that the woman who had toyed with his innocence would bear the consequences for the rest of her life.
Everything changed, however, when, one morning, he met Lady Claire walking in the park.
Such a scandal would inevitably harm that sweet young lady, who was soon to be married.
There could be little doubt that Lady Emma’s downfall would drag innocent people down with her.
Yet his heart broke when Lady Emma, embracing and kissing him, confessed that Claire was his daughter.
At first, Henry believed she had invented the story in an attempt to manipulate him. Yet Claire bore a striking resemblance to his little sister, and the dates of her birth corresponded exactly with the months he and Lady Emma had spent together at the Sinclair estate.
For the first time, Henry understood that he had been the victim of his own folly.
Without thinking, he had allowed himself to become involved with a married woman.
The Sinclairs, including Lord Rockwell, had always treated him and his family with kindness and respect.
Yet he had believed Lady Emma’s lies and used them to justify his own wrongdoing.
He also realised how much he owed the Sinclairs.
They had raised and accepted his daughter as one of their own, while Lord Rockwell had given her his name and the position of a lady.
Out of respect for the Sinclairs and for his daughter, Henry burned Lady Emma’s letters and resolved to leave England that very day.
Claire possessed everything she could wish for, and he would not become the cause of her unhappiness.
It comforted him to think that, at least once in his life, he had acted honourably.
For his daughter’s sake, he resolved to become a better man, to forgive Lady Emma, and, in time, to forgive himself.
Henry realised that he had wasted years consumed by resentment instead of taking pride in everything he had achieved through his own hard work.
On that day, he ceased to be the bitter man he had been for so much of his life.
“Sir, the carriage is ready,” the butler informed Henry.
“Thank you, Jackson. My cousin will arrive next week. Please treat her with the same respect you have shown me. She lost her husband only recently, and she and her children must feel welcome in their new home.”
“Do not worry, sir. We shall make them feel entirely at home. Have a safe journey.”
Before Henry could step into the carriage, Claire, who had just caught sight of him, came over to greet him. She had grown very fond of her new neighbour.
“Mr Parker, are you going away?”
For a moment, Henry found himself unable to answer. His heart was full of emotion. Life had granted him the chance to bid farewell to his only daughter.
“Yes, my dear Lady Claire. I must leave on urgent business. I know your wedding will take place soon, so allow me to wish you every happiness in your new life. I know you deserve it.”
“Will you be away from London for long?” Claire asked curiously.
Henry hesitated before replying.
“I do not know. Some things are better left unplanned. For the present, I know only that I shall be away for a long time.”
Claire did not entirely understand his answer, yet she replied with perfect sincerity, “I hope we shall meet again one day.”
Henry smiled warmly.
“So do I, my dear Lady Claire. It has been a great pleasure to know you.”
With that, Henry stepped into his carriage, while Claire returned to the house, thinking about all that awaited her that day.
That evening, Lady Emma dressed as provocatively as she could.
Two days had passed since she had last seen Henry, and she longed to spend the night with him once again.
When she arrived at his house, however, the butler informed her that his master had left and handed her a note Henry had entrusted to him.
Emma,
I have been obliged to travel to India on urgent business. I do not know when I shall return.
Henry Parker
Lady Emma returned home unable to understand what had happened. She could not explain why she cried herself to sleep that night.
Yet by the following morning, she had become once again the same cold and calculating woman she had always been. Even so, she could never entirely banish Henry Parker from her thoughts, for he had been the only man who had ever truly loved her.
◆◆◆
Eleanor went to visit Jane, who, together with Matthew, had returned to London two days earlier.
“Jane, I came to invite you to the ball in honour of my nephew Christian. I know you have very little time to prepare, but I hope you can attend. Marcus and I should feel much more at ease knowing that you and Matthew are there with us. My sister-in-law has invited all of London, and it will be my first grand appearance in society as the wife of General Sinclair.”
“Thank you, Aunt Eleanor. I promise that we shall be there to support you,” Jane replied, taking her aunt’s hand.
“Jane, there are other matters I wish to discuss with you and your sisters. After the Westcliff ball, I should like all of us to meet at my house. There is something of great importance that I must tell you.”
Eleanor was very anxious, uncertain how her nieces would receive the truth about Elizabeth’s parentage.
“Is it something concerning Lizzy?” Jane asked with a smile.
“Yes,” Eleanor replied, unable to say anything more.
“Do not worry, Aunt. We all know that you and General Sinclair want only what is best for Lizzy. You have my full support in whatever you need.”
Jane knew nothing of Eleanor’s secret, but she had realised that her father was, in some way, restricting Elizabeth’s freedom, and she did not approve. Moreover, after witnessing how he had dealt with Lydia’s affair, she had lost all respect for Mr Bennet.
“Then we shall see you tomorrow evening at the Westcliff’s house,” Eleanor said, rising to leave.