The Bird has got wings

– Come, my dear. – Jeremy's tone of voice made Vivian grow cold.

– Come to Wington Hall tomorrow," Vivian said to her friend in a level tone of voice. She said it loudly, so that her tyrant could hear her words. – My husband and cousin will be out hunting, and I shall be alone at home.

– I have not yet heard you propose to devote tomorrow to hunting, but, my friend, my consent you have just received! – Anthony said jokingly to his friend.

– And tomorrow, Cranford, I'll give you a hard time and shoot so much game that your horse will have to carry my trophy bags," Jeremy said ironically, but then looked at his wife again. – Come, Vivian.

– I'll be there! I'll be there! – Charlotte squeezed her friend's hand tightly, and the girls walked slowly towards the gentlemen.

– I apologise for our hasty departure, Miss Salton," Jeremy said apologetically as the Wingtons left Lillehus. – My wife's health is so fragile that a light breeze is enough to give her a cold.

– I understand, Mr. Wington. Besides, I shall see Vivian tomorrow, and the thought warms my heart," Charlotte smiled at him playfully.

– Cranford, are you with us? – Jeremy asked.

– If Miss Salton does not mind, I should like to stay here and take her round the garden once more," said Anthony, and the answer brought a surprised but grateful smile to the landlady's lips.

– I shall be glad of your society, Mr. Cranford," she said quietly.

– But how will you get home? – Vivian asked her cousin. – 'We came in the same carriage!

– I'll leave you my horse," Jeremy said without opening his mouth. – Please see that it is delivered to Wington Hall by this evening. I want to take him hunting tomorrow.

– Thank you, my friend. I shall be at your house by eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Goodbye, my dear cousin," said Anthony.

– See you and have a good hunt," Vivian replied with some sarcasm. Then she hugged Charlotte tightly. – 'I look forward to tomorrow!

The Wingtons got into their carriage.

– Touch it! – Jeremy shouted to the coachman.

The carriage moved off.

– I must confess that your flight has struck me unpleasantly," said Mr. Wington gloomily, as he watched Anthony and Miss Salton waving to their friends through the window.

– Escape, my dear? – Vivian raised her eyebrows.

Her husband's scowl and stern expression made her body goosebumps, but she decided she had had enough! She wasn't going to let him boss her around anymore! It was time to show him that she no longer intended to be his prisoner!

– What else would you call what you did? – Jeremy contradicted her.

– I only wanted to visit my friend… My best friend! – She lifted her chin. – I am a free woman! Not your slave!

– You are my wife! – Jeremy said sternly and grabbed her slender wrist. – And you dare not leave the house without my permission!

– Oh, well, divorce me, if you don't like such a naughty wife! – Vivian sarcastically exclaimed, as if she didn't mind the iron grip of his fingers.

– That will never happen. You are mine. Only mine. And I will never, you hear me, never give you a divorce!

– Then stop it! Stop commanding me like some maid! You're supposed to respect my choices and my wishes, not suppress them!

– We'll talk at home," Jeremy suddenly said in a completely calm tone and let go of Vivian's hand.

– Fine! – She said coldly and turned her face away from the window. – Tell me, did you come here on purpose to keep me away from Charlotte? Or perhaps you are jealous of my cousin too?

– And if I am? – her husband grinned unpleasantly.

– If so, I'll tell you that this idea of yours is ridiculous: there never was and never will be anything between him and me. We're brother and sister. Besides, if it makes you feel any better, Anthony is in love with another girl and wants to marry her," Vivian said quietly.

Her whole being burned with disgust at her husband and the fact that he had deliberately taken her away from her dear friend. He had spoilt her day. But she did not ask why her husband had returned so early from hunting.

– What luck! – Jeremy replied mockingly.

Vivian remained silent.

After that brief conversation, neither spouse said a word all the way to Wington Hall.

When the carriage pulled up to the front door, Vivian left it in a hurry and went into the house and went up to her and Jeremy's bedroom with quick steps, and did not leave it, not even for dinner. The girl had lost all appetite, and only waited impatiently for her husband to come into the bedroom to discuss with her again the accusations she had thrown in his face.

"I will not raise my voice and I will be calm. We will talk like rational beings, not like animals living only on instinct. He loves me and I'm sure I can convey to him what he makes me suffer" decided Mrs. Wington.

After Jane had changed her into her nightdress and unbraided her high hair, Vivian sent the maid to rest, and sitting down at the dressing-table, began to comb her long fiery hair with a thick brush. Her body and soul were tense, and her mind tried to catch the sound of footsteps approaching the bedroom.

And soon she heard them.

– You did not wish to dine with me," was the first thing her husband said as he entered the bedroom and approached her.

– I don't feel well. You were right: it seems that this evil wind has brought me a cold after all," Vivian replied in an even tone.

– That's a pity. But let's continue our conversation, my love," Jeremy said in a quiet, ingratiating tone.

Vivian shifted her gaze from her reflection in the mirror to her husband's. Her emerald eyes opened wide. Her breathing quickened.

Jeremy stood behind her, a few feet away from her, a long, thin whip resting on his open palms.

Chapter 7

– Are you going out again? This late? – Praying in her heart that he would answer yes, Vivian asked. She wanted her voice to be calm, but she couldn't contain the fear coursing through her soul.

"Lord, almighty, good, just! Save me from his wrath! He will beat me to death!" – The thought sent icy goosebumps running down the girl's body.