Tender the Storm by Elizabeth Thornton

Author:Elizabeth Thornton [Thornton, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction - Romance, Romance - Historical, Romance: Historical
ISBN: 9780821773857
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 1991-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

"Divorce!" The roar split the stunned silence like the crack of a thunderbolt. "Divorce," repeated Rolfe in a more moderate tone.

His companion's lips were suspiciously folded together. Monsieur Housard lounged against the leather armchair in Rolfe's study in the house in St. James and studiously examined the amber liquid in the crystal glass in his hand. "This is excellent brandy," he remarked conversationally, "but it's not really my tipple. I brought a couple of bottles of burgundy with me, do you know? It would be a shame to let them go to waste."

Ignoring this non sequitur, Rolfe demanded in barely suppressed fury, "On what grounds, may I ask, has my wife divorced me?"

"Adultery," stated the Frenchman unequivocally.

"Adultery?" queried Rolfe. "A trumped-up charge, if ever I heard one. I have never committed adultery."

"She named several ladies."

"May I be permitted to know their names?"

"A certain Mrs. Roberta Ashton — "

"That was before my marriage," cut in Rolfe.

"An opera dancer with Covent Garden who goes by the name of Rosamund, and two others —now what were their names? oh yes, now I remember — Mimi and Fifi."

"Adultery? With the likes of those vestal virgins?" he said sarcastically. "That could never be considered adultery, surely?"

"I assure you, my lord, in France, under the new laws, a faithless husband has no more protection than a faithless wife."

At these inadvertently polemic words, Rolfe's eyes blazed, then glittered dangerously.

Hastening to amend matters, Housard offered, "There's talk of repealing the laws which put men and women on an equal footing. Oh yes, there's a definite swing to the right. Though, of course, I don't suppose that is any consolation."

"To the right? What does that mean?"

"Tradition." There was an ironic twinkle in Housard's eyes when he blandly offered, "Women are simply flocking to the courts to obtain divorces before the laws of the ancient regime are restored, and who can blame them?"

"I never heard of anything so insane —to treat men and women equally under the law. Men have always made free with women of a certain class."

"Quite," said Housard with mock commiseration.

Rolfe sliced his companion a hard stare, but Housard's eyes were carefully averted. There was a protracted pause in the conversation as both gentlemen made inroads into the brandy decanter. They sipped their drinks in considered silence.

Rolfe eased back in his chair. He crossed one booted foot over the other and surveyed his companion through half-hooded lids. Smiling languidly, he said, "And now, Monsieur Housard, perhaps you will be good enough to come to the point. What, may I ask, is the real purpose for this unhoped for visit?"

Housard settled himself more comfortably before replying. "I think you know why. It has come to my attention, my lord, that you are making plans for a little foray into France."

Rolfe took a long swallow of his brandy before responding, "Tinteniac told you, I suppose?"

"He did."

"And if I am?"

"Surely, there's no necessity?"

"Oh?" murmured Rolfe.

"Your wife has divorced you. She neither wants nor requires rescuing. And what could you

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