Page 40 of The Quiet Wife
Leyland let his guard down for a moment and looked tired. He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “It’s damnably frustrating.”
“What’s holding things up?”
“What isn’t?” Leyland sighed. “I have the backing, I have the finance in place, or I will have.” His face was wracked with guilt for a moment,making Jemie wonder at what he was having to sacrifice to raise the capital for his takeover bid. He shook his head and put one hand on his hip. “Old man Bibby wants me to retain the company name if I become the majority shareholder. Wants it to stay as Bibby & Sons.”
“Would you prefer to change it?”
Leyland looked him straight in the eye. “It will be the Leyland Shipping Line when I own it.”
Jemie noted the absolute conviction and telling choice of words, ‘when’ not, ‘if’.
Leyland snapped out of his reverie as quickly as he had fallen into it.
“But no more of that. Do you want me to sit for you today?”
The sudden change of topic took Jemie by surprise. “If you have time.”
Leyland nodded once. “I’ll make time.”
***
Frances came down the staircase of the Queen’s Gate house just as Frederick strode through the door with Jemie. She took a deep breath and pasted on her hostess smile whilst her chest ached with something akin to longing.
Jemie, it appeared, pasted on a smile too. His lovely blue eyes were guarded, and he appeared to be on his best behaviour.
“Jemie, how nice to see you! Can I offer you some refreshment?”
“Thank you. That would be most welcome.” He bowed and held his polite smile in place. She kept her own face completely neutral, trying not to be hurt by this sudden distance between them. Fredrick was thankfully oblivious to any tension between them.
“Whistler is going to work on my portrait later today. Where is it?”
“At my house in Chelsea.”
“I’ll have it brought over.”
“Then perhaps you will join us for luncheon. Lizzie is here, and I’m sure she’d love to see you,” Frances suggested.
“You are most kind.”
She gestured to the drawing room, but Frederick muttered something about an appointment and disappeared, leaving Frances alone with Jemie. She exhaled.
“Perhaps we will use the small parlour,” she led the way. She called for the tea tray, and they stood awkwardly in front of the fireplace.
“Please, have a seat.”
“After you,” he murmured.
She perched on the very edge of the chair, folding her hands on her knees. They waited that way until the tea tray was safely deposited and the door closed.
“Frances,” Jemie ran his hands through his hair.
Frances offered him a bright smile while he continued like a condemned man.
“I owe you an apology,” he said.
Frances blinked. “You do?” she wasn’t sure she wanted him to apologise.
“I should never have said all those things to you.”
