A Suitable Match by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance; Contemporary; Fiction
ISBN: 9781459239135
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1990-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

MONDAY came too soon after a delightful weekend. Eustacia, conscious of her wifely status, got up early in order to breakfast with Colin. He was already at the table when she joined him, immersed in a sheaf of papers, and although he got to his feet and wished her good morning she saw at once that he would have preferred to be alone. She sat silently, drinking coffee, until he gathered up his papers and got to his feet.

‘You have no need to come down early to share my breakfast,’ he told her kindly. ‘I’m poor company, I’m afraid. You’ve only had coffee, haven’t you? You will be able to breakfast with the boys. I’ll try and get down tomorrow evening and I’d be glad if you would come back with me—we have to see Mr Baldock and arrange for you to be made the boys’ guardian.’

‘Very well. How do I get back here?’

‘I’ll drive you back.’ He laid a large hand on her shoulder and gave her an avuncular pat. ‘I’ll give you a ring this evening before the boys go to bed.’

Her ‘very well, Colin’ was uttered in what she hoped was the kind of voice a wife would use. ‘I hope you have a good day; goodbye.’

His hand tightened on her shoulder for a moment and then he was gone.

The boys were full of good spirits, and she saw to their breakfast, drove them to school, assured them that she would collect them at four o’clock and drive them home, and then she went back to spend an hour with her grandfather before being led away by Mrs Samways, who, with an eye to the fitness of things, considered that Eustacia should inspect every cupboard in the house.

Colin phoned after tea and the boys talked for some time before calling her to the phone. ‘Uncle’s coming home tomorrow evening,’ said Teddy. ‘He wants to talk to you now.’

‘It’s me,’ said Eustacia with a sad lack of grammar.

‘The boys sound very happy. You’ve had a good day?’

‘Yes, thank you.’ Her loving ear caught the note of weariness in his voice. ‘You’re tired—you’ve had a lot to do?’

His chuckle was reassuring. ‘No more than usual, and remember that I like doing it.’

She remembered something. ‘Shall I have time to do any shopping when I’m in London? Mrs Samways wants some things from Fortnum and Mason…’

‘We shouldn’t be too long with Mr Baldock, so there should be time enough.’ He added, ‘I shall be home about six o’clock, Eustacia.’

‘Oh, good.’ She had no idea how delighted she sounded.

It was nearer seven o’clock by the time he arrived the next day, but the boys, bathed and ready for bed, had their supper while he talked to them until Eustacia shooed them upstairs, to tuck them up and potter quietly around the room until they were asleep.

They drove up to London directly after breakfast, taking the boys to school first, and they went straight to Mr Baldock’s office. Eustacia signed papers,

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