Page 129 of The Quiet Wife
Her sister turned to Frederick. “So, you can add all of us as witnesses to this violent assault, nay attemptedmurder, upon your person when you go to Bibby and to the newspapers.” She said it loud enough for Frederick to hear.
Frances was shaking. Partly with relief that she could breathe, partly with fear about what her husband might do next.
“I suggest you leave, Leyland,” William ordered Frederick.
“You think you can throw me out of my own house?” Frederick snarled. “You think you can come in here and put yourself between a man and his wife?”
“When that man is trying to murder his wife, yes. I damned well can,” William insisted. Frances had never seen him so angry.
“Murder, don’t be ridiculous,” Frederick scoffed.
Freddie stood before his father, shaking. Face red, hands still balled into fists. “Yes. Murder. You had your hands around her throat. She could not breathe and was on the verge of collapse when we came in here. Look at her, man.Look!”
Frederick shook off William and looked at her.
Her throat was raw and throbbing. It was still difficult to breathe. Her eyes hurt, and her vision swam. She wondered if perhaps there were bruises forming. Perhaps that was why her husband was now watching her with dawning horror.
“Frances?” he said, hand outstretched.
She shied away, ducking into Lizzie’s protective embrace.
“That’s far enough,” William said.
“If you won’t leave, Leyland, we will take your family with us,” William continued. “They are not safe with you.” He observed Freddie’s bruised face.
“No,” Frederick said. “No, I… I should… I will leave.” He swallowed, dazed. “I…”
Frances peered out from Lizzie’s embrace, surprised at his sudden capitulation.
“I…” He shook his head as he saw her. “You have my apology. I will leave,” he said quietly.
He hesitated, studied his hands, then swallowed. He squared his shoulders.
“I… will also consider your request.”
With that, he bowed and left.
She heard his footsteps retreat, and her legs finally gave way. Edith and Lizzie guided her to a nearby chair as tears flowed in earnest. She sobbed until there was nothing left.
Edith was barking instructions at the staff, who were standing about in stunned silence.
“Can you speak, darling?” Lizzie asked when the storm had passed.
Frances tried and found she could, but her voice was weak and raspy.
“Let me see,” she croaked and Lizzie, after an initial hesitation, allowed her a glimpse in the looking glass.
Livid red and purple bruises were developing around her neck, and little red spots of what appeared to be blood dotted the white of one of her eyes. It was easy to see why Frederick looked so appalled. For once, he’d been faced with the consequences of his temper.
CHAPTER 44
Speke Hall – Liverpool
Frederick retreated to his Liverpool flat, and all his planned entertainments were cancelled. It meant that Christmas was a quiet, family affair. Everyone was subdued, but they were together which brought them some comfort and without Frederick, it was calm and peaceful. It was exactly what Frances needed to recover. Frederick joined them briefly on Christmas Day and they went to church as a family but then he left them alone.
Freddie had told his sisters what happened so the girls were unusually quiet. Frances hadn’t wanted them to know, but once they did it helped that she didn’t have to pretend, and they looked after her so well. Aunt Agatha and Miss Woodgrove hovered incessantly, and the staff rallied round her.
In quiet moments, Frances wished Anna could be with her. She missed her calm and warmth, but knew it was possible that she would never experience that again. When she thought of Jemie, it was as though someone had reached into her chest and gouged out her heart leaving her an empty and hollow husk.
