Dorothy Eden by Ravenscroft

Author:Ravenscroft
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

IN THE MORNING BELLA sat up in her own bed, a frivolous lacy scrap of a cap on her neatly braided hair, her arms and throat modestly covered by a fleecy bedwrap. She was tapping the top of her egg, her face expressing a healthy anticipation for her breakfast, nothing more.

‘Good morning, Guy,’ she said composedly to her husband. ‘Have you brought me the papers?’

‘They’re downstairs. I’ll have them sent up, if you wish. I don’t recommend them.’

Bella opened her eyes wide.

‘Are they still slandering us? Didn’t they admire Lally and me last night?’

She wasn’t going to show a sign of her true feelings. Had she been shocked, badly hurt, resolved now that marriage must be endured, not enjoyed? Guy knew very well that neither of them were thinking of the fresh insults in the newspaper.

‘They don’t like people who flout conventions. It frightens them, makes them conscious of their own lack of courage. To the devil with them all!’

‘Guy, this is very serious for you, isn’t it?’

‘I’ve never pretended it was anything else.’

‘We mustn’t give in. We must fight. Do you still insist on Lally and me going to the country?’

‘Yes, I do.’

Bella sighed. Then she said, ‘I shall enjoy seeing Ravenscroft, of course. By the way, I’ve decided not to keep Louise.’

‘Louise?’ He didn’t know what she was talking about.

‘The maid Cousin Henrietta found for me. I don’t like her. I don’t see why I should put up with someone I don’t like. I intend to engage Tottie instead.’

‘Tottie?’

Bella burst out laughing.

‘I believe you did drink too much last night, my love. You forget everybody. Tottie’s the little dumb girl who was at Aunt Aggie’s. She’s been at Doctor Bushey’s, as you very well know. He’ll let her come to me, and I’ll teach her how to be a good lady’s maid. Let me do this, Guy. It will be helping with your own work. We can set an example by employing only these poor desperate people.’

He had sensed her strong will and her boldness, but he could scarcely believe that she would so quickly try to run his affairs. As if that deplorable episode last night had given her unlimited confidence.

‘If you want to struggle with a speechless maid, do so. That’s your province.’

‘Thank you, my love. I’ll see Doctor Bushey today. At least the country is the place for poor Tottie. And Lally, too. I wonder how Lally is this morning. I hope she didn’t have a nightmare last night. I feel guilty, deserting her.’ She shot a look at her husband beneath her long lashes. ‘By the way, that pretty little clock will have to be mended. I dropped it last night. Such a pity. Are you going?’

‘My secretary will be waiting.’

‘Oh! Of course.’ She lifted her face for his kiss. She was behaving as if they had been married for years. Her black hair on the pillow was an outrage. And he wouldn’t endure her interference. Yet his blood was beating again, violently.

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