Meg Alexander - The Passionate Friends

Judith returned his smile. “I couldn’t get a word in,” she teased gently.

“But you are still writing? Are they still short pieces?”

Judith hesitated. “No…”

“Then what?” Dan looked at her averted face, and his eyes began to sparkle. “Judith, have you started on a book at last? You always meant to write one.”

She blushed. “I don’t know how good it is. It is just that…well…I was trying to make sense of the world, and it helps to put my thoughts on paper.”

“But that is splendid!”

“It is probably quite trivial.”

“No, I won’t have that. You haven’t got a trivial mind. How much have you done?”

“Just a few chapters,” she murmured. “Perhaps I’m wasting my time. I’m not the best judge of my own work, I fear.”

“Then I’ll indulge in a great impertinence. Will you let me see it?”

She flushed with pleasure. “I’d be glad of another opinion,” she confessed. “You always used to read my things, and I found your comments helpful.”

“Then it’s settled. When can you bring the manuscript?”

“I don’t know.” Judith’s eyes grew shadowed. “I…I have other commitments…”

“Ah, yes, I understand.” Dan’s manner became formal, and for the first time a silence fell between them, though the forbidden subject of her marriage occupied each of their minds.

Judith found the tense atmosphere unbearable. She thrust out her hand and prepared to take her leave.

“Too late!” a merry voice cried. “We’ve caught you and we won’t let you go.” Elizabeth swept into the room accompanied by a chattering group of children.

Judith smiled in spite of herself as Sebastian’s three boys bowed politely to her. They were clearly impatient to reach Dan’s side.

Then Perry walked in, holding his elder daughter by the hand, and carrying his younger girl. He was quick to dismiss an anxious tutor, and a hovering nursemaid.

“No, leave them be!” he ordered. “Here is a lady who will be glad to see them. Judith, shall you object to a nursery invasion?”

“Of course not!” Judith smiled warmly at the children, and took Perry’s eldest girl upon her knee.

“We met them as they were coming from the park,” Elizabeth explained. “As Judith is here we must have a treat. Tea in the salon, do you think?”

This suggestion was greeted with whoops of delight from the boys, and Perry laughed.

“As you wish, my love.” He rang the bell and gave his orders. “You spoil them, dearest. Prudence will have your blood! Think of her carpets…”

“We’ll be careful, Uncle Perry.” Eleven-year-old Thomas stood upon his dignity, clearly affronted by Peregrine’s reference to the nursery. “Henry doesn’t drop things.”

“And I don’t drop things either.” The youngest boy glared at his eldest brother.

“Yes, you do, and they always land with the butter side down.” Thomas directed a quelling glance at Crispin.

“He won’t do so today.” Judith reached out a hand to Crispin. “Have you had an exciting day?”

“We went to the Tower to see the wild animals.” The little boy’s eyes grew round. “There were lions, you know…”

“And were they very fierce?”

“I didn’t like it when they roared.”

“He put his hands over his ears,” said Thomas in disgust.

“I expect I’d have done the same myself,” Judith announced mildly. “An unexpected noise can be frightening…” She looked at Henry. “What did you like best about today?”

Henry was dear to her heart. Less ebullient than his brothers, he had a retiring nature. She and he had struck up a friendship based upon long silences, trust, and occasional conversations when the boy had opened up his innermost feelings to her.

“I liked it all,” he said. “I made some drawings of the animals. They were all so strange and new. Would you like to see them?”

“I’d love to, Henry, but I must go home. Next time, perhaps?”

“No, Judith, I won’t have it.” Elizabeth sprang to her feet. “We see so little of you nowadays. You must stay and dine with us—”

“But, my dear, I can’t. I am expected. In any case, I am not dressed for dinner.”

“Then I won’t change. After all, we are dining en famille. Dearest Judith, may we not send a message to your home?”

“Oh, please!” The three boys stood in a semicircle round her. “We haven’t shown you the presents which Dan brought for us.”

“Judith may be expecting her betrothed,” Dan said stiffly.

“No! He is away at present.” Judith spoke without thinking.

“Then there can’t be the least objection.”

“Objection to what?” Sebastian had come to join them.

“To Judith dining with us. Sebastian, how is Prudence?” Elizabeth gazed at him with anxious eyes.

“Perfectly well, and all the better for her rest. She will come down for dinner.”

“There, you see!” Elizabeth turned to Judith. “Now you can’t refuse. Prudence will be so glad to see you.”

Judith wavered. The temptation to enjoy the warmth of this happy family circle was almost irresistible, if only for a little longer. Still she hesitated.

“Mrs Aveton dines from home this evening,” she murmured. “She will require the carriage…”

“Then let us send it back with your message.” Elizabeth clapped her hands. “We shall see you home, and since Mrs Aveton will be out you won’t be missed.”

The circle of pleading faces was too much for Judith.

“Very well,” she agreed. “I shall be happy to stay.”

Elizabeth beamed at her. “I’ll write a note myself,” she insisted. “Then there can be no objection.”

“Of course not,” Perry said dryly. “Who will stand in the way of a force majeure?” He turned to Judith. “Eight years of marriage and two children have not yet reduced my wife to the shrinking violet whom I’d hoped to wed.”

Elizabeth laughed up at him. “You gave no sign of it when we first met, my love.”

His look of affection was disarming. “No!” he agreed. “I like a challenge and I haven’t been disappointed. You continue to surprise me.”

Judith looked down as a small hand stole into hers.

“I’m glad you’re staying,” Henry told her. “Now we can show you the things which Dan brought back for us.”

Thomas came to join his brother. “Mine is a dagger from India. It has a jewelled hilt. I can’t carry it yet, of course, but when I’m older I shall do so.”

“And yours?” Judith turned to Henry.

“It is a wooden mask. Dan says that it will ward off evil spirits.”

“A useful item.” Perry twinkled at his nephew. “And certainly a thing which no gentleman’s household is complete without.”

“Perry, I believe you’re jealous!” Judith began to smile.

“Of course I am. I was tempted to send Dan away again to fetch a similar thing for me.”

Two small fat hands reached up to touch his face. “Papa, you won’t do that, will you? I love Dan. I don’t want him to go away…”

Perry hugged his daughter. “I’m teasing, Puss. Dan won’t go away again.”

“I should think not, after such an unsolicited testimonial.” Sebastian looked amused. “Now, boys, off you go. Judith will call in upon you later, but your mother wishes to see you.”

Sebastian settled himself in the great wing-chair and Judith lost her charge as the little girl struggled from her lap and ran to climb upon her uncle’s knee.

“A daughter next, Sebastian?” Perry asked with a grin.

“Only if she is as pretty as our little Kate here.” His brother dropped a kiss upon the child’s head. Then his face grew grave. “I shall not mind, as long as Prudence and the babe are well.”