Page 79 of The Quiet Wife
“Well, as the inestimable Mr Dickens once said, all’s well that ends well.”
Albert appeared faintly baffled but nodded and hurried on his way.
Jemie plunged his fingers through his hair and sighed. It was exactly as he’d feared.
***
Frederick’s punishment for poor behaviour had always been to ignore Frances completely. As a young woman, a young wife in the early days of their marriage,it had caused her a great deal of distress, and she’d tried all manner of things to earn his forgiveness. To make him smile again. To get into his good graces. As she grew older, she learned to deal with it. She fared well enough without his attention, but it didn’t do to let him realise it. So, after the argument, she made a few attempts to speak to him, to make peace, and let him brush her aside to play the part he expected.
She headed for breakfast and was relieved to find Anna, Jemie, and Lizzie in there already with Frederick. At lease she wouldn’t have to deal with him alone. She helped herself to toast and sat down.
“Tea?” Lizzie offered, holding up the pot.
“Thank you.”
She watched as Frederick ate a piece of bacon, then dabbed at his mouth with a napkin and put it down.
“Whistler, I’m thinking that I would like to make progress with the work on the Prince’s Gate house. Jeckyll is ready to start on the dining room. Are you ready to begin the hall panels?”
Jemie nodded. “I’m ready whenever you want me.”
“Then you’ve finished my wife’s portrait?”
“Not completely, but I can do both. It would be no trouble.”
“Very well.”
Jemie nodded but didn’t look at Frances. “Are you thinking of returning to London soon?”
Frederick sipped his tea. “In the next few weeks. Things will be picking up and many of the people I need to see are based down there.”
“Are you planning to stay for long?” Frances asked, wondering if she were to be consulted on his plans.
Frederick shrugged. “Probably until the New Year.”
“We can begin to plan the older two girls’ season for the spring,” Frances said, not looking directly at him. “I imagine hosting balls and parties in the Prince’s Gate house will be something to behold. I presume you will have completed everything with Mr Bibby by then, too?”
Frederick just snorted inelegantly.
They finished the rest of breakfast with forced civilities. Frederick was the first to leave, and Anna and Jemie followed. Frances smiled as she watched him go.
“You like him, don’t you?” Lizzie asked quietly once the door closed behind them.
“Who? Jemie? Of course I like him. He’s been wonderful.”
Lizzie looked uncharacteristically serious. “I mean more than like him.”
Frances swallowed. “It doesn’t really matter, does it?” she fiddled with her napkin. “Even if I did, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m married to Frederick and that’s that.”
“You’re not…” Lizzie gestured vaguely.
“Not what?”
Lizzie sighed and spoke more boldly. “Are you having an affair with Jemie?”
Frances was stunned. She opened her mouth and shut it again. Did a kiss constitute an affair?
“No. I am not,” she said. Guilt making her snap.
