Page 132 of The Quiet Wife
“I didn’t dare write to you in case your husband saw. It was an age before I could leave London and the mess Leyland landed me with. I went to Liverpool,” he mumbled against her neck. “I went to see you there, but you’d left.”
“Oh, Jemie,” she whispered, holding him tight. He hadn’t abandoned her at all.
His mouth sought hers and they kissed. It was like coming home.
When they finally slowed and pulled away, he lay his forehead against hers.
“When I heard what you’d done… Read your letter. When Lizzie told me…” He closed his eyes and swallowed. “What he did to you.”
“Hush. It’s all over and done with now. I’m here. I’m so glad you are too.”
He cupped her face in his hands and inspected every inch before kissing her with exquisite tenderness.
“Will he really let you go?”
“I doubt it, but he has agreed that we can live separately, and we have a legal agreement in place. I’m buying a house in Chelsea not far from your mother. I hope she won’t mind.”
“She will be delighted.” He kissed her again. “As will I.” He looked at her. “Your own home?”
A smile lifted her lips at the thought. “My very own.”
He smiled and kissed her softly. Their lips lingered.
“Are you still going to Vienna?” she asked after a while, fearing she knew what his response would be.
He gave her an anguished look. “I must. I can’t stay. Leyland has dragged my name and reputation through the mud so comprehensively I’m ruined. He’s bankrupted me and made it impossible for me to stay. I have nothing.”
Frances closed her eyes on a wave of tears. Jemie had lost everything because of her.
“I have a good chance of recovering my reputation and making money in Vienna away from your husband. If I stay here, I doubt I’ll recover.”
“I would come with you if I could. You do understand that don’t you.” Frances’ chin wobbled as she patted his chest.
“Of course I do. I wish we were free to do as we please, but at least I can see you now. For a long time, I thought I’d never see you again and I didn’t know how I would manage. I even thought of kidnapping you and the children and whisking you off to America.”
She chuckled weakly.
He squeezed her tightly. “I amsosorry for the way I behaved. The argument, making you walk with me… I can’t believe I did that, and I can’t believe you will forgive me.”
“I forgive you,” she whispered and kissed him again. “It took me a little while to understand, but I do. I think it hurt you more than me.I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger. Sorry I didn’t put a stop to it. I knew what Frederick was capable of.”
They held each other. An edge of desperation in the embrace.
“When do you leave?”
“In four days.” His eyes were wet, and Frances felt tears spring to hers.
“Four days.” She nodded, lips trembling. “Well.” She stroked his beloved face. “We have a lot of making up to do.”
EPILOGUE
LONDON – CHELSEA – EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
Jemie stood in his mother’s parlour like a terrified schoolboy as she twitched at his jacket.
“She hasn’t forgotten me, has she?” Deep down, he knew she hadn’t. They had corresponded regularly over the past months, but he needed to hear it.
His mother tutted. “Silly boy. Of course she hasn’t. She hasn’t so much as looked at a man all season. She’s been busy settling into her new home and escorting her girls to the best parties.”
