Page 46 of The Quiet Wife
“Mrs Caldicott was both sensible and kind,” Lizzie said. “I do like her.”
“She was very kind and I for one truly appreciated it.” Rosa Caldicott had pointed out, very coolly, that it wasn’t a suitable conversation for the drawing room. Things had settled after that.
The door opened and Frederick stalked in. Lizzie raised her eyebrows, and Frances scowled at her, shaking her head when Frederick turned to close the door.
“Good morning, ladies,” he murmured without looking at them and went to help himself from the dishes.
“May I pour you some tea?” Lizzie offered in a bright voice. Frances gave her a long look that implored her to remain silent because this would only end badly.
“Thank you.”
Frederick sat down and shook out his napkin.
“What do you have planned for today?” Lizzie enquired with a bite of her toast.
“Work.” Frederick grunted, cutting a piece of sausage, and putting it in his mouth.
“Well, I hope you are a bit kinder to your work friends today, brother dear. Your wife and I had to endure some most unpleasant comments in a few morning calls with friends after what you said to Mr Bibby.”
Frances wanted to slide under the table. She felt the heat ride up her face and her hands trembled in her lap.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Although Frederick addressed her sister, his eyes turned to her. She swallowed as Lizzie enumerated the people who had made small but pointed remarks about him.
Frederick chewed, dabbed his mouth with his napkin, and set it down carefully.
“Do either of you imagine I care about that?” he shrugged.
Lizzie laughed. “Lord, no. I don’t imagine you do, but you might have regard for your poor wife who had to endure such humiliation.”
“And just how does my poor wife feel about this?’ Frederick continued to glare at her.
Lizzie shot her a look that she was sure meant, ‘tell him everything’, but Frances turned away.
“It was a little uncomfortable, but I’m sure that all will be well. People have very short memories.” Frances tried to reason, keen to keep the fragile peace.
Frederick nodded. “So, all is well?”
Frances cast an apologetic glance at Lizzie. “It is.”
They breakfasted in complete silence. Frances drank far more tea than she wanted to because she didn’t dare leave her sister alone with Frederick.
***
Later that morning, Frederick joined them in the parlour. Frances was certain it was to make sure that Lizzie didn’t carry on tittle tattling about him and his business. It was most uncomfortable, as he stayed there for the best part of half an hour, and she felt on edge the entire time.
She was enormously relieved when the footman announced the arrival of Jemie and Mr Rossetti.
Jemie put a hand in his coat pocket and produced some tickets with a flourish.
“I have tickets for the Haymarket Theatre to seePygmalionandGalatea. Would anyone care to join me?”
Lizzie squealed in excitement. Frances managed to contain herself, but only just. They had talked at some length about the play, but her husband had refused point blank to accompany them, considering the theatre a waste of an evening.
“I would LOVE to go,” Lizzie enthused. “You, sir, are a wonderful man!”
Jemie laughed and gave her a bow. “Well, if I’d known that the way to your heart was through a theatre ticket, I’d have done it sooner.”
“Leyland?” Jemie offered.
