Jeremy was thrilled by her forwardness. “It would be my pleasure.”
She slipped her hand through his arm, and turned to Cate. “You know, Cate, you could do with a few more cakes. You’re in danger of disappearing altogether.”
Cate wasn’t used to Henrietta speaking to her like that. She cast her eyes around the room, searching for her husband, but even he had made an effort to avoid her.
“My car broke down a mile outside town so I had to walk. It’s a lovely evening,” Jeremy said, descending the steps to the pavement.
“It’s been very warm, hasn’t it? Do you think it means we’ll have a good summer?”
“We usually have a hot week in May. June might be warm, but I think July will be a scorcher.”
“Are you saying that on authority because you’re a farmer?”
“No, because I’m an optimist.” She giggled and Jeremy’s spirits soared.
“I’m an optimist, too,” she said.
“It suits you.”
“Do you mind walking a little, after you’ve walked so far already?”
“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather walk with.”
Henrietta felt her belly fill with bubbles. From the sincerity in his voice, she knew he meant it.
XXXI
White blossom of the may trees and blackthorn in the hedgerows
That night Miranda couldn’t sleep. She was convinced that David was indeed having an affair with Blythe. She felt sick with hurt and fury, but had no concrete proof of her suspicions. She wondered how he could make love to her, play so naturally with the children, look upon her with such tenderness, if all the time he was betraying them.
David slept the peaceful sleep of a man without a conscience. Miranda debated silently in the dark. Should she confront him? Should she confront Blythe? Should she telephone Theo Fennell himself and find out what the mystery item was and what was engraved on it? She envisaged the scene. The row. The horrid things they’d both say to each other. The irreparable damage that would shatter their family life forever.
After breakfast the following morning the children ran outside to the hollow tree, leaving Miranda washing up in the kitchen. Blythe linked her arm through David’s. “Right, m’lord, show me around your estate.”
“Darling, I’m going to take Blythe around the garden. We’ll go and watch the children for a while. They might like to join us. Do you want to come?”
“No thanks. I’ll finish the dishes then I’d quite like to wash my hair.” She winced at the underhand way they had manipulated her in order to spend time alone together. Her instincts told her to go with them, but she remained by the sink. This might be her only opportunity to catch them at it.
Blythe and David walked to the hollow tree where the children resumed the game they had been playing two days before. Jean-Paul was nowhere to be seen. They’d have to make do without the crocodile. Blythe and David stood watching them scamper around the tree like squirrels and then headed off towards the vegetable garden.
“I love greenhouses.” Blythe inhaled huskily. “They’re hot and humid. They make me feel horny.”
“This isn’t a good idea,” said David weakly.
“Of course it is. We’re quite alone. I’ve missed you.”
“It’s got to stop,” he added, thinking of his children and longing to be with them. “This affair must end. It’s been fun, but you deserve better,” he said tactfully.
“There is no better than you, David. Every time we part I think it’s going to be the last time. I love Miranda, I love your children. I don’t want you to jeopardize that, I’m not that kind of girl. But then I see you again and my resolve weakens. I’m afraid I can’t resist you. I didn’t come here to betray Miranda. She’s my oldest friend, for Christ’s sake. If you hadn’t turned up I wouldn’t have minded. Please believe me. I don’t want to seduce you in your own home. I just can’t help myself.”
“We haven’t done anything wrong this weekend.”
“And we won’t,” Blythe agreed. “It’s just a bit of harmless flirting.”
“So you agree that it has to come to an end.”
“Most definitely.”
“It’s not because I don’t desire you, but because I respect my wife.”
“That’s okay. I respect her, too. We should never have embarked on an affair in the first place.”
They reached the greenhouse and slipped inside. “Wow!” Blythe exclaimed at the neat rows of orchids and tuberoses. The smell was intoxicating. “This is incredible. Your gardener is a wonder!”