Page 44 of The Quiet Wife
She was enjoying a moment of quiet when Mrs Caldicott paid her a call. Frances was delighted to receive her as she enjoyed her company enormously during their various meetings through the season. She was becoming a good friend. One who had been born into an aristocratic family, whose understanding of the rules of etiquette were ingrained from birth, but one who was always kind and offered a gentle nudge when needed without making Frances feel she had committed some awful social solecism. She was an absolute treasure.
“I’m so happy to see you,” she handed Mrs Caldicott a cup and saucer. “Everything has been so terribly busy with the new house.”
“I believe it is to be a thing of grandeur,” she ventured, taking a sip.
Frances laughed. “He might not show it, but my husband is very enthused about it all.”
They laughed together and talked about wonderfully inconsequential things. Of shopping and fashion, with Frances receiving some very useful hints and tips about the most up to the minute styles and where to purchase them which she hoped might please Frederick the next time they hosted guests. Also, Mrs Caldicott was an absolute fount of knowledge when it came to gossip and very entertaining. She had Frances in stitches about Lady Aranthwaite’s latest musical soiree.
“I must go,” she said eventually. “I have enjoyed your company enormously.”
Frances stood and took her hand. “And I yours. Thank you so much for calling. We must do this again back in Speke.”
“I would love to,” she squeezed Frances’ hand tightly.
Frances rang for the footman and watched her friend leave. She had barely sat down when her husband walked into the room, a frown etched on his face.
“Hello my dear,” she greeted him. “Would you like some tea? I can ring for a fresh pot.”
“No. Was that Mrs Caldicott I saw leaving?”
Frances nodded. “It was indeed. She paid me a call.”
“What did she want?”
Frances supressed a sigh and maintained her smile. “It was a morning call. We have got to know each other quite well.”
“What do you mean?” he demanded.
“It was just a call. Do you not approve? I thought you held Mr Caldicott and his wife in high regard.”
Frederick grunted.
“Was there something you wanted?” she asked.
He shook his head and left. Frances felt her headache returning at yet another of her husband’s difficult moods.
***
Jemie wasn’t entirely certain about Leyland’s portrait, but his patron deemed it completed. He didn’t agree for there were a few things that he wanted to amend, to change, and the temptation to start again was so immense it made his fingers itch.
“Absolutely not. If I have to take it from you and lock it up, I will.”
Jemie laughed at the man standing before him, dressed in black. “Do you really feel it’s done?” he asked. “I think I could improve on it.” He grinned at his patron.“I could make you look even more imposing.”
Leyland rolled his eyes and strolled over to scrutinise the work. He tilted his head and gave it his full attention.
“No. It’s just what I want. It’s perfect.”
“As you wish.” Jemie bowed his head.
“You should now paint my wife.”
“Of course.” He could barely wait to paint Frances, but on the other hand, he wasn’t sure being locked away with her for long periods of time looking deeply into her soul would be healthy for him, given the feelings he was fast developing for her. At the moment, simply having dinner with them made him twitch. It was all he could do not to just sit and stare at her.
“Have you finished your mother?”
“My Arrangement in Grey and Black?”
