Page 7 of Bitterness of Spirit

“But who are you, sir? Wilson? Are you related to Madeleine?”

An answer never came as Mrs. Gardiner fainted in the arms of her husband.

***

The entire party in the drawing room was aghast as their unexpected guest related the story of his appearance from the unknown back to life—twenty-five years later.

Mr. Gilbert Drake Wilson spoke calmly while his sister—barely recovered from the shocking surprise—held his hand and stared at him in awe. On his wife’s other side, Mr. Gardiner was no less astounded.

“I believed you were gone…long gone…” Mrs. Gardiner said. “We have had no letter—no word—in the last fifteen years. Nobody knew anything of you.”

“Forgive me…I could not…nor did I want to… My main concern was to protect you. I knew you were well—and that was all that mattered. We shall talk more of this…at another time. I do not wish to ruin your Christmas with the strange, sad stories of a wanderer.”

“You have made this the happiest Christmas, brother! You are so changed…so different… I barely remember your face, but you still look very handsome.”

“You were a child when I last saw you, and now you are such a beautiful lady, dear sister. You look so elegant—I would not have recognised you for the world…”

“You have been wounded…” she said, touching his scar with trembling fingers.

“Yes… but it was a long while ago. I am so happy I found you. You left Lambton after all. We have no more family in Derbyshire.”

“No. Only some friends and distant relatives. We left twenty years ago, just after Mother died. The money you sent helped us move to Town. Father opened a small shop, and the business prospered. Then I met Edward and—here is the rest. I cannot believe that I am not dreaming. Are you truly here?” she asked tearfully.

The man kissed her hand lovingly.

“I am. This was the last wish I asked the Lord to grant me. For the past ten years, I was in no position to know anything about my friends or family. Then three years ago, although trapped on the other side of the word, I hired men to make inquiries and searches in my name. I discovered that our parents were long gone and some of my best friends had also passed away. I knew my sister was somewhere in the world, but nobody in Derbyshire knew of your fate. I was informed that you moved to Town, so I directed my searches there.”

“The other side of the world? Where would that be?” Lydia jumped in with the question.

The gentleman smiled kindly. “In many places, Miss Lydia. But most recently in India.”

“India? How fascinating!” Mary replied.

“True. Fascinating. And strange…and not always friendly. But fascinating indeed,” he agreed.

“I would love to know more of India,” Mary continued, encouraged by his amiability.

“Do you enjoy reading, Miss Mary?”

“Very much, sir.”

“Excellent—I have more books about India than I can count. You may choose whatever you wish.”

Mr. Wilson then turned to his sister again. “As soon as I had news of you, I decided to return to England and never leave again. I arrived in London two weeks ago, and I easily discovered your address. But your footman told me you are were visiting family in Hertfordshire. I know I should have waited for your return, but I simply could not. Two more weeks after twenty-five years seemed painfully long. I had to come and see you—and tell you of my arrival. But I shall leave now and allow you to enjoy your dinner. I am renting a house in Town and shall await your return.”

“I am so happy that you came,” Mrs. Gardiner whispered. “You could not possibly waste two more weeks of not being together. All these years I thought…” Tears stopped her from speaking, and Mr. Gardiner quickly took his wife’s hand and embraced her comfortingly.

“I have the most wonderful and loving husband and the happiest life one can hope for. I have four wonderful children and kind and loving relatives,” she said, looking around.” But all these years I still felt alone in the world. I know that sounds unfair but it is the truth.”

“It is not unfair at all, my dear,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “I am so grateful that such a miracle has happened—and at this time of year.” Mr. Gardiner kissed his wife’s hand, and she smiled tearfully.

Then she turned to her brother and squeezed his hand. “It is a miracle,” she whispered.

“It is a miracle that I found you healthy and well settled. You will not be alone any longer, my dear sister,” Mr. Wilson said, his voice trembling slightly.

He then rose and bowed to Mr. Gardiner. “Sir, I cannot thank you enough for providing my sister such a happy family. I shall spend the rest of my days showing you gratitude and repaying your devotion in any way I can.”

Mr. Gardiner stood too and replied rather severely. “Sir, I shall be offended at talk of gratitude or repayment. We are speaking of my wife and the mother of our children. You are most welcome, but do not presume you must compensate for your absence in any way.”