Julia had elected to walk home. For the first time in many weeks the, vice always tightly wound around her chest, had loosened up a bit. She wanted to make the feeling last as long as she could. Seeing William, talking with him, even allowing herself to touch him had felt so good. She knew she should be feeling guilty about it, but for now she was ignoring the guilt and simply enjoying the moment.
Darcy, standing at the window of their house, saw her walk up the stairs and noticed the smile on her face. He took a long breath. She had not smiled in so long…..
Julia walked in and saw the luggage in the front entrance. She was taking off her hat as Darcy walked in. She looked at him questionably:
"You are going then?" Julia hesitated for a second before continuing:
"Perhaps I should go also. Perhaps I was too hasty in saying no. We have not seen your family in nearly a year after all."
Darcy took a long breath: "Yes. Quite so. That is why I suggested the trip, but now… "
Julia looked at him questionably: "Darcy. I don't understand."
"Julia. I know you are hurting…. Struggling with the memories of that horrible event. I've tried to help, but you won't let me in. You won't talk to me." Darcy stopped talking for a moment before he continued.
"I just saw you smile just now as you were walking up the stairs. You've not smiled in a long time. Do you know how it feels for me to know that Murdoch is the cause of that? Him. Not me. "
Julia opened her mouth to start to say something, but Darcy stopped her.
"Don't deny it Julia. I know you went to see him today. A short visit with him achieves more than … You talk to him for a few minutes and you smile? Do you know how much I've tried to make you smile in the last few weeks?"
Julia did not know what to answer. How could she deny the truth?
"I'm sorry Darcy."
Darcy took his bags. "I see the cab just arrived. I will see you in a month."
William was alone in his office. He abruptly threw the chalk he had in his hand at his board. Escape. James Gilles had escaped. How could it have happened? Gilles was out there. He had taken Julia once. He could do it again. William knew he had to tell Julia, but he just did not know how.
Thomas Brackenried saw Murdoch still sitting in his office. He went over.
"Does Dr. Ogden know yet?"
William could not meet his inspector's eyes.
"No Sir. I tried to get hold of her husband, but he is out of town."
Brackenried looked at his detective: "She needs to be told. It'll be in the papers by tomorrow. She should not have to find out that way." Thomas hesitated before he went on.
"Why don't I ask Margaret to go over. That was a horrible experience for Dr. Ogden and with Gilles back out there….. Margaret is good with that kind of thing."
William felt like a coward, leaving Margaret to break the news to Julia.
"But Sir. It should be me. It's my fault Gilles abducted her in the first place."
Thomas looked at his detective. "It's not your fault lad. The man has a deranged mind. You can't blame yourself for his actions. I know you feel it's your duty to tell her, but let Margaret do this. Trust me on this one Murdoch.."
William quietly nodded yes. Thomas left. William continued to sit in the dark. He would not sleep well again tonight.
Margaret was walking up the steps to Julia's house. She was not looking forward to the conversation, but she knew Thomas was right; she was the best person to tell her. Julia was having tea in her drawing room reading a book when Margaret was escorted in. Margaret sat down and looked at the younger woman. Julia immediately realized that something was wrong.
"It's William isn't it? Something's happened." Margaret quickly put Julia's mind at rest but still maintained a grave look.
"No. No. It's not. He's fine. It's Gilles."
Julia froze and whispered: "Gilles"
Margaret could see the shock on Julia. She took the younger woman's hands in her own before she continued.
"He escaped today while he was being moved to the Don's for hanging. "
Julia did not say anything. She just sat there frozen. Finally after a few moments she got up and walked over to the liquor cabinet. She was pouring a drink when Margaret stopped her.
"It won't help Julia. You know that."
Julia's shoulders hunched down in defeat and she whispered: "I know, but…."
Margaret guided the younger woman back to the sofa.
"Here. Here come over here." Julia sat down and slowly tears started coming down her face. She turned to Margaret.
"Oh Margaret. I'm so lost. Every night I'm afraid to go to sleep. The days are even worse. I…." Julia looked at Margaret, unsure how to explain. She did not need to.
"Oh Julia you don't have to say any more. I understand. I've been married to Thomas long enough."
Julia looked questionably back at the other woman: "Thomas?"
"He was in the wars Julia. Not all his scars are on his body." Margaret paused.
"You need help Julia. Perhaps you should call Darcy back from Buffalo?"
Julia had started shaking her head halfway through the sentence. "No. No. Margaret. It would not help anyway." Julia hesitated, her head down; a bit ashamed of what she was going to say next.
"We've been keeping separate rooms for a while now."
"Oh.." said Margaret.
Julia hesitantly answered back: "….but I have been thinking for a while now to call Dr. Roberts."
Margaret looked at Julia straight in the eyes: "You have to Julia. You cannot do this on your own. I will help you. You can call me anytime. I'll stay here with you tonight and tomorrow, well tomorrow we will call Dr. Roberts."
Julia smiled her thanks back: "Thank You Margaret. Thank you."
Note: Regarding the comments on the timeline…. Since we never really know how much time elapses between episodes I decided to put my own interpretation on Murdoch in Toyland. The scene at the cemetery takes place in late summer. Two months later Julia visits William at Station Four, the same day Gilles is to be transported to the Don for hanging. He escapes during transport. We are now mid to late October…..