A Suitable Wife by Lorna Peel

Author:Lorna Peel [Peel, Lorna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-05T05:00:00+00:00

To Isobel’s relief, Will ate a hearty luncheon before leaving the house. She left the house herself a few minutes later, walked around the gardens to number 55, and was shown into the morning room.

“Alfie.” Her brother was alone in the room, seated at the writing desk, and he twisted around to look at her. “Where’s Mother?”

“Out to luncheon with a new acquaintance.” He put his pen down and got to his feet. “You look flustered.”

“Fred Simpson died yesterday evening,” she told him and Alfie’s eyes bulged. “A heart attack.”

“A heart attack? At his age? Good God, I don’t know what to say.”

“When you see David, could you ask him to please keep an eye on Will? To say he’s distraught doesn’t even begin to describe…” She tailed off and sighed.

“Yes, of course,” he replied. “I’m meeting David this evening. When is Fred’s funeral?”

“We don’t know yet, but I hope Will’s friend, Jerry, can come over from London. Will needs to talk about Fred with someone who knew him longer than I did.”

“Please give Will my condolences?”

“I will. And, Alfie, while we’re alone – and please don’t be angry – I need to tell you I went to see James Ellison and I asked him about Mother.”

Alfie’s eyebrows rose. “Oh?”

“We had quite a frank conversation and the upshot is that James loves her and he’s loved her ever since Mr Henderson introduced her to him. And when the first anniversary of Mr Henderson’s death has passed, James will marry Mother.”

“James?” Alfie echoed. “You’re on first name terms with him? It must have been a very frank conversation.”

“I had to question him, Alfie. He will be her third husband.”

“I know, and I’m not angry. I just wasn’t sure if I should interfere. Have you spoken to Mother about it?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t had a chance. But I will.”

“How’s John?”

“Very well. But still not talking.”

“Do you think he will?”

“I don’t know,” she replied simply.

“I’ll come to number 30 when I get a chance.”

“How’s the studying going?” she asked, looking past him at the textbooks stacked on the writing desk and at the open notebook beside them.

“Very well. It’s hard work, but I love it.”

“I’m glad,” she said and he nodded, turning back to the desk.

“Poor Fred,” he murmured, picking up a textbook then putting it down again. “I hope it was quick.”

“What is it?” she asked gently.

“I found Father after he had his heart attack.”

“Oh, Alfie.” Grabbing his hands, she squeezed them. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I was in the garden and I heard a crash from inside the house,” he explained. “I knew Father was in his study so I went there and he was on the floor beside his desk. I think he was dead before he even fell.”

“I’m so sorry, it must have been terrible for you.”

“Telling Mother was worse. I didn’t know how she would react, but she was remarkably calm. And, talking of frank conversations, we decided there and then that we should leave

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