The Butterfly Box(137)

‘He certainly isn’t!’ she exclaimed hotly. ‘I can’t stand him.’

‘Well, it’s time you had someone to think about you for a change. Your mother didn’t think about you when she left Chile, did she? Your father didn’t put you first either. You need someone to put you first.’ He pulled out another rug and wrapped it around her. She suddenly felt emotional but didn’t know whether it was because she was talking about her father or because he had said that he was too old for her. She wanted to tell him that he wasn’t too old for her, but she didn’t have the courage. Silently she opened her heart to him and hoped that he might notice.

‘Don’t be sad,’ he whispered, watching her eyes glitter like the water of the Thames.

She shook her head. ‘Oh, I’m not sad,’ she replied and smiled wistfully. ‘I’m very happy. I’m happy to be here sharing this beautiful night with you. You’ve been sweet listening to me. Don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve had a magical childhood and I’ve been very happy. Some people, like you, suffer the death of a

parent, sometimes a whole family. I really have nothing to complain about. Papa’s not dead, is he?’

‘No, he’s not dead, just thoughtless,’ he said, squeezing her. ‘I’m going to make you very happy,’ he avowed. He lifted her chin with his hand and wiped away her melancholy with his thumb. ‘I’ve found you now,’ he said before kissing her salty lips. She responded with eagerness as his rough face scratched at her skin and his wet lips parted hers to penetrate her innocence and claim it for himself. In those moments of intimacy Federica forgot Sam’s tender kisses because she had finally found a man who promised to love her and protect her and erase the scars of abandonment.





Chapter 30


‘Fede’s in love,’ Hester said to her mother who stood at the foot of the Christmas tree directing Sam with a vague wave of her hand.

‘No, darling, a little more to the left, there,’ she said, ‘now let’s see if Angus will fly in.’

Sam stepped down from the ladder and looked up at the nest that he had secured firmly onto the top branch. ‘Who’s she in love with?’ he asked, folding the steps away.

‘He’s so handsome you’ll faint,’ said Hester. ‘He’s dark with the palest green eyes you ever saw. Sends her presents all the time. Do you know, Mum, he flew her off to Paris just for the day and bought her bags of clothes. You won’t recognize her now. She’s so sophisticated.’

Sam flopped onto the sofa, stretching his legs out in front of him and placing his hands behind his head.



‘To think she was once in love with you,’ Hester added with a grin.

‘No she wasn’t,’ Sam replied aggressively. ‘At least not since she was a child.’

‘Where’s Angus. ANGUS!’ Ingrid shouted, casting her eyes about the room. ‘He was in here a moment ago,’ she complained, her agitated fingers playing with the monocle that hung between her large bosoms.

‘He’s probably flown outside,’ Sam said irritably.

‘In this cold, I doubt it,’ she replied, sweeping into the hall with the skirts of her ethnic dress billowing out behind her like the sails of a ship. ‘Molly, have you seen Angus?’ she said as Molly wandered past her into the sitting room.

‘Yes, he’s in the library with Nuno. He’s trying to teach him to read.’ She sighed, rolling her eyes. ‘For God’s sake, he’s a dove, not a parrot!’

‘So, Mol, what’s Federica’s new boyfriend like?’ Sam asked, recalling out of the mists of his memory the innocent evening he had shared with her in the barn and the brief walk they had enjoyed on the hill.

‘He’s nice,’ said Molly, sitting down next to her brother. ‘Great tree!’ she exclaimed. ‘But I don’t think Angus is going to like it in there, he’s happier in Dad’s dressing room.’

‘Is that all? Nice?’ he persisted curiously, wondering why he felt rattled.

‘Well,’ said Molly, pushing her auburn hair off her face. ‘He’s handsome and charming . . . but. . .’ She paused, trying to put her thoughts into words. ‘He’s

a little too good to be true,’ she said decisively. ‘Mind you, Fede looks marvellous. I tell you, Sam, you won’t recognize her.’



‘She really does,’ Hester agreed.

Molly loathed talking about Federica and Torquil. Every time she saw them together she felt a nagging jealousy and hated herself for it.

‘Is she happy?’ Sam asked somewhat grudgingly.