Page 114 of The Quiet Wife
She drew a breath that was more of a wobbly hiccup. “Thank you.”
Some of the bluster went out of him. He came to her and pulled her into his embrace and held her. She sank into him for a moment, but then reluctantly broke away in case Frederick unexpectedly returned.He let her go, but not before he’d pressed a kiss to her temple.
“He can be very unkind and very cruel.” She said it with a note of warning. “He’s also vindictive and can bear a grudge for years on end. I’ve always found it best not to react.”
Jemie cupped her chin. “He’s like this all the time with you, isn’t he?”
Frances nodded.
“If I could take you away from him, I would. You know that don’t you?” He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them softly.
“I know you would.”
“Would you come? If I asked, would you come?”
Frances’ throat closed.
He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Would you run away with me?”
“If I could, I would,” she faltered.
He wore a look of sad resignation. “But you can’t?”
She shook her head as tears filled her eyes.
“Don’t cry,” he murmured.
“Our time together here…” she choked at the realisation.
He ushered her into his arms again. “Hush now. It’s not over. He will disappear into his work again soon and we will be together again. This is not the end, it’s the beginning.” He promised her. Frances wished she could share his optimism, but she knew her husband too well.
***
The family retreated to the Queen’s Gate house leaving Jemie at the new house to continue his work. The wrench of parting was awful. She missed him so much it was a physical ache. She had grown accustomed to all but living with him like man and wife and to have that snatched away was heartbreaking.Her husband appeared to have calmed down, but as she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him in almost a week, she couldn’t be certain.
She was deliberating over what to do next when Lizzie joined her in the parlour.
“How are you holding up?” She kissed Frances’ cheek before heading for the tea tray.
“Well enough. Have you seen your fiancé recently?”
Lizzie tsked. “Not since your husband returned and was rude about his artwork.”
“Me either. I think it’s time we paid the Prince’s Gate house a visit.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “My, that’s… decisive.”
“If I cower away it seems as though there was something to hide. We have been visiting Prince’s Gate since we arrived in London. I’m going to continue.”
“Bravo!” Lizzie said and hugged her. “Good for you. Let’s send word to Edith and William. Alastair too if he’s not busy.”
“That would be perfect.”
They arrived at the Prince’s Gate house later that morning alongside Edith and William, just as the heavens opened. They dashed in amid much laughter as they shook themselves off.
The footmen took their damp outer clothes, and as they stripped off wet gloves, Jemie came into the grand hallway wearing a smock daubed with paint, carrying a paintbrush.
“I thought I recognised those voices,” he grinned.
