Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

Author:Madeleine Wickham [Wickham, Madeleine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Ì've spoken to Tom,' said Francesca. `He's coming round later.' Rupert's head jerked up.

`Tom?'

Ì've told him everything,' said Francesca, her voice trembling. `He says not to worry. He's known other cases like yours.' Rupert's head began to thump hard.

Ì don't want to see Tom,' he said.

`He wants to help!'

Ì don't want him to know! This is private!' Rupert felt a note of panic edging into his voice. He could just imagine Tom's face, looking at him with a mixture of pity and disgust. Tom would be revolted by him. They would all be revolted by him.

`He wants to help,' repeated Francesca. Ànd darling ...' Her tone changed and Rupert looked up in surprise. Ì want to apologize. I was wrong to react so badly. I just panicked. Tom said that's perfectly normal. He said ' Francesca broke off and bit her lip. Ànyway. We can get through this. With a lot of support and prayer . . .'

'Francesca-' began Rupert. She raised her hand.

`No, wait.' She came slowly forward, towards him. Rupert stared at her. `Tom said I must try not to allow my own feelings to get in the way of our . . .' she paused `... of our physical love. I shouldn't have rejected you. I put my own selfish emotions first, and that was wrong of me.' She swallowed. Ì'm sorry. Please forgive me.'

She edged even closer until she was standing inches from him.

Ìt's not up to me to hold back from you,' she whispered. `You have every right to touch me. You're my husband. I promised before God to love you and obey you and give myself to you.'

Rupert gazed at her. He felt too shocked to speak. Slowly he reached out a hand and put it gently on her sleeve. A look of repulsion passed over her face, but she continued staring at him steadily, as though she was determined to see this through; as though she had no other choice.

`No!' said Rupert suddenly and pulled his hand away. Ì won't do this. This is wrong! Francesca, you're not a sacrificial lamb! You're a human!'

Ì want to heal our marriage,' said Francesca in a shaking voice. `Tom said '

`Tom said if we went to bed then everything would be sorted, did he?' Rupert's voice was harsh with sarcasm. `Tom told you to lie back and think of Jesus.'

`Rupert!'

Ì won't allow you to subjugate yourself like that. Francesca, I love you! I respect you!'

`Well, if you love me and respect me,' said Francesca in suddenly savage tones, `then why did you lie to me!' Her voice cracked. `Why did you marry me, knowing what you were?'

`Francesca, I'm still me! I'm still Rupert!'

`You're not! Not to me!' Her eyes filled with tears. Ì can't see you any more. All I can see is . . .' She gave a little shudder of disgust. Ìt makes me sick to think about it.'

Rupert stared at her miserably.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.