Page 31 of The Quiet Wife
“Hmm. You’ll do.”
“You are most kind,” she said, barely able to mask her frustration. He really was the master of damming with faint praise. Frederick scowled and looked puzzled. As though he knew vaguely that he might have been chastised but had no idea why.
“I’m going to show the children my dress before I go down. Why don’t you come with me?”
“Why would they want to see us?” He looked genuinely puzzled.
“They asked to see me in my gown. I’m sure they’d love to see you, too.” They were disappointed at being excluded from dinner yet again. They knew that their father simply didn’t trust them to behave in company. She felt he barely trustedherto behave.
He grunted and gestured for her to precede him out of the door. They walked in silence to the children’s rooms, and Frances entered Fannie’s room, as that was where they usually congregated, and found them all there. Her heart stuttered when she realised Freddie was with them. She could only pray he had enough sense to heed her earlier warning and not to say anything about his plans just as her husband was heading to dinner.
“Mama!” Fannie jumped up. “You look so pretty!” The others followed suit in ever more glowing terms about her appearance.
“That’s a very smart suit, sir,” Freddie got to his feet.
“Should be for what it cost,” Frederick muttered before turning a stern eye on them all, clearly seeing an opportunity.
“Remember what I said.Noneof you may go downstairs this evening. I want nothing to ruin this evening. It’s very important. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, sir,” the girls murmured. Freddie said nothing.
“No pranks, no dares, no nothing.”
She caught a glimpse between Freddie and Elinor. Sadly, Frederick saw it too and jumped on it.
“I will say this. If you do anything, and I mean anything, to interrupt this evening, I’ll confine you to your rooms for a month and there will be no more jaunting about with the Whistlers and definitely no trip to London. Understand?”
“Yes sir,” they mumbled in unison and Frances’ heart sank.
Frederick nodded and made to leave but Freddie spoke up.
“Father, may I speak with you?”
No no no no…
“Now is not a good time.” Frederick snapped.
“I want to leave school.” Her son spoke before she could stop him.
Frances felt ill. She could see disaster unfolding before her and was powerless to stop it.
Frederick seemed momentarily baffled. “Why? Do you have any idea at all how much it’s costing me to turn you into a gentleman?”
“I want to leave school and work with you. I want to learn the shipping industry.” He lifted his chin defiantly, but Frances could see the awful vulnerability in her son’s eyes. The hope. He so wanted his father’s approval, but this was not the way to earn it.
“Dear God. Do you understand nothing?” Frederick raised his voice.
“Sir?”
“No, you cannot leave school and work with me.” He held out his arm to Frances and she took it, shooting a warning look at her son. If she could just get Frederick out of the room this would cease.
“No, papa, no. You must listen to meproperly. I need to learn about shipping. I need…”
“Are you deaf, boy?” he hissed angrily.
“Sir, please justlistento me for once.” Freddie’s colour flushed. He was very nearly a man, but in that moment, he looked terribly young and innocent.
Frederick turned slowly, and Frances shivered, hating how powerless she was in this situation.
