Page 124 of The Quiet Wife
“You are all mad,” Frances laughed. “I cannot think of anything that might persuade him to accept such a suggestion. He would most likely murder me on the spot.”
“You tell him that unless he agrees to your wishes, you will make sure that ‘someone’ goes to the newspapers and to the society pages and tell them about his affair with Rosa Caldicott. That he was caught in his own home doing…” Aunt Agatha gestured regally with one hand, “with her whilst you and the guests were dining. You say you will tell them about the baby, how he abandoned her in her hour of need, tell them that Rosa’s husband has left her…”
Frances shook her head. “Men have affairs all the time. That’s not going to convince him.”
“However, if you were to mention going to the board of Bibby Shipping and informing them that this story was going to be in all the newspapers and the subject of endless gossip…?”
Frances’ mouth fell agape as it struck her. “They would pull out of the deal.” Frederick’s words came back to her. He told her she could not see Jemie anymore because any whisper of scandal could put paid to the deal. That his bid for Bibby would crumble under such news.
“Precisely,” Aunt Agatha’s intelligent eyes twinkled.
Lizzie’s smile was pure wickedness. “To sweeten the deal, I might be persuaded to release Jemie from our betrothal, and he won’t have to endure us living with you.”
Frances’ heart was racing. “It’s blackmail.”
“It is. Perfect, though. You could throw in his affair with Annie Wooster as well if you wanted to. I’ve heard Rosa is devastated,” Edith added.
Frances blinked. “He would be… livid.”
“If that doesn’t convince him, you could tell the world that his father was deported. He didn’t just leave the family to find work abroad, he was a convicted criminal.” Aunt Agatha delivered the killing blow with precision. So much so, Frances had to remember to breathe.
“Is that true?” she gasped.
Aunt Agatha just shrugged.
Frances studied her hands intently.
“If I did that, said those things, he would murder me. On the spot.”
CHAPTER 42
Speke Hall – Liverpool
They arrived at Speke Hall tired and bitterly cold from the chill in the mid-December air. Frances had thought of nothing but the proposal during the entire journey, and she had a headache. If she was going to do it, time was running out because once the Bibby deal was done, she would lose the upper hand. Did she have the courage? And what of Jemie? They had parted on an acrimonious note, and she had not had any opportunity to even speak with him.
The staff had fires lit, bedrooms aired, and refreshments ready and waiting for them, so they all sat down for tea in the parlour. That was, all of them except Frederick, who immediately disappeared into his study.
That time truly was running out for her hit hard later that day when she realised that all the Turner paintings in her husband’s collection were missing. Had he already packed them to be transported to Woolton?
He was in his study, so she tentatively knocked on the open door. He looked up and raised his eyebrows.
“Sorry to intrude, my dear, but I’ve noticed that the Turner paintings have all gone. Are you preparing them to be sent to Woolton Hall?”
He shook his head and picked up his pen. “I’ve sold them.”
Frances wasn’t sure what to say to that. “I see.”
He wrote something on the paper in front of him. “Was that all?”
“Might I ask why?” she ventured. She knew it didn’t matter to him, but they were her favourites.
“I needed the money.”
She was stunned. “Frederick, if we are short of money, should we be buying Woolton Hall at all? I’m sure we could manage…”
“Dear God, woman, don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped and slammed down his pen. “I needed to raise capital for Bibby. Once this is over, I’ll buy them back.” He glared at her, spitting his next words. “Is that all?”
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