– Oh, it doesn't matter now. Don't worry, I won't shed tears when I see him leading his bride to dance…" Vivian coughed and turned to the gentlemen and shouted: "And what are you gentlemen discussing so heatedly?
– War, my dear wife! – replied Jeremy.
– Oh, the boredom of death! – said the girl. – But what a freezing day it is!
– If you wish, we will go back to the house, to the warmth," Charlotte said to her.
– No, no, I am not cold at all. – Vivian answered her hastily, immediately regretting what she had said.
– Miss Salton is right, my dear. You look very pale. We're going home: I don't want you to be sick again," Jeremy announced in a firm tone.
– But you and I, we've only just arrived! – Vivian frowned and looked at Charlotte regretfully.
– I'm terribly sorry! – Charlotte whispered to her with a guilty expression.
– No apology necessary! It was my own fault! – Vivian replied in a whisper. – And, when the butler brought his card, I knew he would not let us spend time together… .
– 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!
