The Mistress of Alderley by Robert Barnard Read Free Book Online Page B

mother at the front door.
    â€œThanks, Mum.”
    â€œYou use that young man, Olivia.”
    â€œUse, that ye be not used,” said her daughter. “He would if he could.”
    But he didn’t look at all like the type who would. All in all Caroline did not regard it as a satisfactory visit, and Alexander and Stella both made comments that included the words “prima donna.”
    Marius coming on Friday, early in the afternoon as he had promised, made everything right. He embraced her, and sat happily drinking coffee and eating some nibbly cakes she had made specially for him, deprived of the chance to cook him a special welcoming dinner. Then they went upstairs to bed and stayed there till it was time to drive to Leeds, braving some sardonic remarks from the children as they left. Caroline was so preoccupied with what Marius was about to reveal that she even forgot to ask her usual question, what Alex and Stella would do about an evening meal. Marius drove with his usual brisk flair and efficiency, and they were in Wellington Street by seven o’clock, and had had an aperitif, chosen their meal, and been seated in their little alcove by half past.
    â€œI told them when I booked that we would like to be as alone as possible,” Caroline said.
    â€œThey probably took you for a teenager,” said Marius.
    â€œThey know me, know my voice,” said Caroline. “I think they’ll try and keep the other tables vacant if they can. Now —”
    â€œWait. Here comes my swordfish and your lamb.”
    She looked at him—at the lock of brown hair that occasionally fell over the warm brown eyes, at the high forehead and full cheeks, the red, almost feminine lips. The tiny surge of irritation she had felt vanished. She looked down at her plate and took up her knife and fork. And it was after five minutes of satisfying eating that Caroline again said: “Now.”
    Marius shifted in his chair.
    â€œThis is going to come as a bit of a surprise to you. I know it did to me.”
    Caroline said nothing, just kept looking at him.
    â€œSheila is pregnant.”

Chapter 5
Reactions
    There were all sorts of questions Caroline wanted to ask but felt it would be unwise to. In the end the question she did ask came out sounding slightly absurd.
    â€œHow old is Sheila?”
    â€œForty-three. Five years younger than me.”
    And seven years younger than me, Caroline thought. Marius had left his wife for an older woman. Somehow she felt that must have hurt more than if he had left her for a bimbo. Even if he hadn’t, strictly speaking, left her: he had merely supplemented her.
    â€œGo on, ask the question you want to ask,” said Marius.
    â€œNo. You know I tr—”
    â€œGo on—ask it.”
    The understanding between them was too total for Caroline to hold back any longer, though she was still reluctant.
    â€œAre you the father?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDo you know who is?”
    â€œNo.” Marius’s face screwed up into an expression of puzzlement. “As you know, Sheila and I are just friends, though perfectly good ones, and with a long history behind our friendship. It’s because it works so well, our friendship, that we’ve never opted for divorce. Why change something that, by and large, works well.”
    â€œSo you’ve discussed it?” Caroline asked.
    â€œOh yes.”
    â€œI thought it might be the children.”
    â€œThat was the other thing. I’m afraid I’m rather traditional. I believe children need stability. I can become the heavy father if necessary. You can’t do that coming from a position of weakness.”
    â€œSo you’ve stayed together, but both gone your own way.”
    â€œSheila has had a lot of—let’s say pals, something more casual. She goes around with them to charity dos, arts events. I thought she’d gone off sex, though I did suggest it might be that