I am running away, Father, to begin a new life. I will not at this time tell you where I am gone or who I am fleeing with, but I promise in time to write again, once we have started a new life for ourselves, and we can be certain that my husband will not find us, should he be released from prison.
I know that our relationship can never be what it once was now, but I want you to know I truly wish the best for you. I hope that you can escape your own trap, bound as you are to your gambling, and that someday, we can be close again.
Your daughter,
Diana.’
Owen passed the letter back into her hands.
“It is good,” he said calmly. “It is to the point but fair too.”
“I am not too cruel?”
“No,” he assured her. “Who is this one for?”
“Gilbert.” Diana’s word made Jessie flinch as much as Owen. He lifted the letter to read the next one.
‘Dear Gilbert,
It will not surprise you to hear that when you return, I will not be at your house. I am leaving to begin a new life. You wished for a quiet and obedient wife, in a way, you will have part of this. I promise you will never hear from me again, just as I do not wish to hear from you.
Jessie is coming with me, and I hope that you will abide by our wishes, to not be contacted by you.
The money you made from your deceit I have spread amongst those who most need it. Part of it has gone to the tenants you hurt so much with your fires, and another part has gone to your children in the house in Bath. I hope your money can do some good where you could not.
Yours etcetera,
Diana.’
“What do you think?” Diana asked.
“It is firmly putting an end to your marriage,” Owen said with a smile as he passed the letter back into her hands. “You are certain of this? It is what you want?”
“Without a doubt,” Diana said, folding the letters back up and shifting herself to rest on his side. As she placed her head on his shoulder, he turned and placed a sweet kiss to her forehead.
Owen knew well enough the next few months could be difficult. Without a guaranteed income, there would be hard times, but with Diana beside him, he knew he could find a reason to smile every day, and that was all he had ever wanted.
“I am glad you married him, in a way,” he whispered.
“What do you mean?” Diana asked, jerking her head off his shoulder before her expression softened into a smile, understanding his meaning.
“Otherwise, I would not have met you and fallen in love with you.”
THE END
