One week later
It had been a week she had seen him. A week that William was no longer appeared at her side. A week that he "spoke" tohim but he did not answer. But it also had been a week that Julia peered around. She took very few carriages, preferring to walk a few minutes to get downtown or to the asylum. She went to lunch at the restaurant where she had lunch with James Newport a few days earlier. And finally, day after day, she was immersed in her work, taking interest in life, at least when it was day. Because the nights were still hard. She spent most of the time reading, ruminating in bed, crying. By day, she put on a mask and she showed to the world that she was recovering from the loss of her husband. But every man in the dark eyes and black hair she met was always stared. Just as those with hair and gray mustache and top hat. Well then Julia convinces herself that the man she had recently met had been "sent" for saving her life and that now she had to forget him and live.
She had left the asylum in the early afternoon, taking advantage of this sweet, sunny day for a walk in the park. She had finished reading her latest novel, and so decided to take the path of the library before going to the park. The old woman in the store knew her well, and they talked for several minutes before the young woman took refuge in the background of the to choose her next book. She remained there for several minutes to resume the path of the entrance and checkout. Her heart skipped a beat when seeing the man standing in front of her, plunged into a poetry reading in the beam. She looked at him in silence, a few seconds before slowly, he looks up at her. She met his eyes and a huge smile appeared on her lips. He smiled in turn and walked toward her.
-Mr Newport, she said tenderly.
-Doctor Ogden, he replied in the same way, I am delighted to see you.
He gently took her hand and kissed it softly without leaving her eyes. Julia blushed and pressed her lips to flee before left his eyes and feel him letting go her hand. He simply cleared his throat and the eyes of Julia landed on the book he was holding.
-The Poems Bayley and Shirley? She said stunned.
-A good works as what someone told me, muttered William.
-I did not imagine you read this kind of stuff, Julia said making a face, it is pretty ...
-This book saved my life, the young man replied.
-Really? She said, laughing.
-It is a long story.
Seeing that Julia kept her gaze in his, he realized that she was expecting him to say more.
-I had an altercation with a man one day and he... stabbed me . The knife was planted in the book that I kept in the inside pocket of my suit.
-But the question I wonfer is; why having a copy in your suit?
-My girlfriend read this book ... and I was curious to see what these poems could get her, so I borrowed his copy.
-I hope for you that you had offered her another, Julia continued, smiling.
-Oh no, I never told her she would be worried.
-And I understand, Julia sighed looking at the ground, anyway, I wish you a good read, if you plan to read it of course. But if you plan to offer your wife, do not tell her about the accident. She may not appreciate that you have lied.
-She is not my wife, William whispered, she ... I lost her.
-Oh, Julia sighed, I ... I am sorry.
William smiled shyly and she did the same before speaking again.
-I suggest you read this book, I did it there for a few years but I have not had time to finish it, I lost my copy and I have never had the opportunity to buy another. I suspect my husband to steal mine when we were not married yet, she says with a laugh, he does not like Bayley and Shirley.
William laughed with her, happy to hear what was for him the most beautiful melody. He loved her laugh more than anything in the world and he could not help laughing with her. When they calmed down, they remained just one in front the other, in an embarrassing and long silence. The young man dying to get his wife against him, to testify a long, deep kiss on her lips and his heart was pounding in his chest crying to him to tell her the truth. Julia felt again the heat win her entire body, she had felt with William for years. Once again she was totally lost. It took days to forget this man and at that moment, she had fallen under his spell. Without realizing it, she spoke the words she had sworn never to tell any man.
-Mr. Newport, Julia began in a whisper, I find that the weather is beautiful today and I wanted to take a walk in the park. Would you like to join me? In all good honor, she added quickly, I do not have too much opportunity to talk about poetry and literature with anyone since the death of my husband.
William then was silent a moment, a moment that Julia thought to be an eternity. Well then, the memory of William came back to her and she immediately regretted her proposal.
-I should not have to ask you this, she stammered, I ... I apologize.
She bowed and walked past him, but it only took a second to William that he tenderly catches up wrist to meet her eyes.
-I will be happy to talk with you Doctor, he says, in all good honor.
She smiled and the next moment, they went to the cashier to pay for their purchases and leave the library at the same pace, starting a conversation that lasted several minutes about their favorite authors.
The young woman brought to her checks one last touch of makeup when two small knocksx were given at the door of her office. She jumped and closed her small mirror to turn around and see the young woman standing in the doorway.
-Emily? She said, rising.
-Good evening Julia, replied her friend before entering, how are you?
-Well, I am fine.
-Really? I have not seen you from a week Julia . I was wondering if you were going better, if the loss of the Detective do not relapse.
- I miss William, Julia sighed, sitting down on a chair while her friend sat in front of her, and I think about him every day, but ...
-But?
Julia was silent for a moment before looking up Emily and sigh deeply.
-Emily, I have to tell you something but promise me not to tell anyone.
-I am listen to you, threw the young woman approaching closer to her.
-I ... I date a man. I know this is wrong and that William has just leave me. I also know that I will never love anyone like I loved him and I feel guilty. I feel betrayed him but ... I can not put aside those feelings.
-Who is this man?
-James Newport, a wealthy businessman from Vancouver, he came in town after losing his fiancée two years ago.
-Did you see him often? Emily asked, feeling her throat tie, recognizing that assumed name.
-Three or four times. We have lunch and we talk about literature and this evening he invited me to the theater. I accepted because I feel so alive with him. He is not physically as William except his eyes, he has the same eyes as him and I am deeply troubled. He has the same way of looking at me, some of his actions as well. I like seeing the man I love in him and yet I know it is too early and I know that I appreciate this man for the wrong reasons, because I need to find William . But he is not William, Julia murmured, looking at her hands tied on her knees, I do not know what to do Emily.
She was silent for a moment. She understood what was happening. She knew who this man was and why her friend was attracted to him. Appearances were deceiving, yet hearts could not be mistaken. Julia knew deep within herself that she was with the man she loved. She was afraid of the events, she feared that the Detective would put them both in danger also feared the wrath of the young woman when she will learn the whole truth. So Emily felt her heart sink in her chest, knowing she could not help the young woman. She gently placed her hand on hers and smiled tenderly.
-Take the time you need Julia, do not rush into the arms of this man. Doing so may make you suffer and do not find this man tonight.
-But I have an explanation to do, I can not let him expect me if I do not come.
-You will give him these explanations, but tonight your mind and heart are misty. This is an advice from a friend that I give you, do not go to find him you may regret it.
Julia then was silent a moment and she just nodded.
-You are right, she whispered, I will go home and take a long hot bath and try to put my ideas clear.
Emily nodded, smiling, and a second later she got up.
-I am going to leave you, I have work at the morgue. I will see you tomorrow if you like and we can go to lunch together.
-I would be glad, Julia replied smiling, thank you Emily.
-You are welcome.
They smiled and quickly Dr. Grace left the asylum, determined to go talk with the Inspector Brakenreid about the events because it was clear that if they did not act quickly, the consequences could be terrible.
to be continued ...
I know "Bayley and Shirley" is not the right spelling, but you know what I mean? Last episode of season yes indeed, it was a gunshot which almost killed William, not a knife, but he couldn't tell the true to Julia, she is too clever, right? ;)