Demelza lay in bed unable to fall asleep next to her husband, as the words of Francis's letter plagued her mind. Among its contents were poetically phrased words from Francis detailing that he knew he was not first in Elizabeth's heart-that she did not truly love him; that she bore and became the mother of his child out of duty and not true love. He could never amount to what Ross amounted to in her eyes and heart. All Francis's concerns were synonymous with Demelza's own personal worries. She was not a woman content as second best, though she thought herself cursed to acceptance of that. She hoped that Elizabeth's conspiracy theory was true for her own marriage's sake. With Elizabeth free, would Ross abandon her? It seemed she lacked much confidence in herself and trust in her husband. She had to voice her worries to Ross or they would eat away at her. She and Ross were not a couple who excelled at communicating their emotions and discussing feelings. Demelza catered to her husband's more often than not. While she did lash out at him some of the time, she walked away leaving the issue unresolved.
"Ross," she spoke trying to wake him.
"hmmmm" Her husband answered sleepily.
"You won't abandon me, will you?" She spoke bluntly.
"What on earth...for God's sake, Demelza." Ross sat up. "Do you think so little of me? We made a vow. I promised to be true to you. I love you. Do you think me a libertine who shall abandon you without a thought? I say it again, I love you. Shall I prove it to you?" Ross then began to hover over his wife kissing her.
Demelza turned her face to the side looking away, her hands about her husband's neck.
"But...Prudie said..." Demelza began and Ross stopped his intimate affection.
"She saw you...that night...of Elizabeth's rescue...You held her...Elizabeth. Your bodies were bare together. You held Elizabeth, and you would not let go." Demelza continued.
Ross gave an exasperated sigh. "I told Prudie..." He then stopped his explanation, realizing he should not speak to Demelza of his warning to Prudie not to return to the room where he and Elizabeth lay together in each other's arms for the emergency transmission of warmth.
"You must know I had to...Elizabeth could have died. I could not let her die."
"Prudie said she witnessed the desperate tenderness you bestowed upon her..." Demelza responded.
"Demelza, I...as I told you before, she was dying. I was overwhelmed. What Prudie saw was my state of being overwhelmed with worry and sympathy for Elizabeth's state and condition." Ross then became annoyed with Prudie more than ever. She had not obeyed his order and more than that...why did she feel she should tell her mistress what she saw?...especially when what she sees involves Elizabeth.
"I wish I could believe that." Demelza answered, "Perhaps, it is not only sympathy but love."
Ross closed his eyes to sigh and rose from the bed.
"I suppose you no longer wish me near you. I shall sleep elsewhere tonight."
Moments later, Ross regretted not arguing a point against Demelza's last words to him that night. What further proof did Demelza need of his love? Ross knew that he could not deny that he loved Elizabeth, but he also loved Demelza and was bound to her. Must she bring Elizabeth into conversation? He would make no apologies for his actions to save Elizabeth's life that night; however, Ross knew it would be best for his marriage if he distanced himself from Elizabeth in the future, though he felt the obligation of taking care of her upon Francis's death. He wanted Demelza to know her worth and develop more trust in him. So many thoughts ran through his mind. His ponderings and contemplations were directly repugnant to his earlier argument with his wife. Perhaps his words to Elizabeth one time during the early days of his feelings of betrayal by Elizabeth were true. He and Elizabeth could never be friends...especially not with Francis gone. His absence would only fan the flames of Ross's passion for Elizabeth once more.