The Perfect Happiness(118)
“I did, too.”
“It might not be Pete’s.”
He looked interested. “Really? Whose does she think it might be?”
“Someone she had a one-night stand with at the end of the summer.”
He didn’t look at all ruffled. “Does Pete know?”
“No, Pete thinks it’s his, which, of course, it might be.”
He shook his head and tutted disapprovingly. “She’s a very careless girl.”
“I’m not even sure that the man she slept with has a clue that he might have got her pregnant.”
“Let’s hope it is Pete’s, then.” He took a sip of wine. “Or someone is going to get a shock when the baby is born.”
Angelica was confused. If Olivier was the man Kate had slept with, wouldn’t he have been a little more flustered at the prospect that he might be the father of Kate’s unborn child? Unless he already knew, in which case he would have had plenty of time to hatch a plan. Perhaps that was why Kate had come around. Maybe she had seized the moment, as Angelica was away, to confront him and tell him about his possible child. Still, he was remarkably cool for a man keeping such a terrible secret.
The following week, Angelica avoided Kate as much as she could. Every time she saw her belly she imagined Olivier’s baby inside, looking just like Joe or Isabel. Her fear distracted her from thinking about Jack, but it inhibited her creativity. Much as she tried, she was unable to get back into her book, in spite of the flood of inspiration she had received in South Africa. To keep herself busy and away from her desk, she continued her Pilates classes three times a week and spent as much time as possible with Candace, for her friend confirmed over and again that she had done the right thing in cutting all contact with Jack, even though the absence of his texts and e-mails hurt her daily.
At the beginning of March, Kate invited Olivier and Angelica for dinner to meet Edmondo, the now infamous count. Diluted in the company of Art and Tod, Letizia and Gaitano, Candace and Harry, and Scarlet and William, Olivier gave no indication of intimacy with Kate, and Kate, all over Edmondo like a wiry octopus, barely tossed him a glance. If they shared a secret, they deserved Oscars for their ability to dissemble.
Edmondo was a central casting count: dark and handsome, with thick glossy hair, smooth brown skin, and a large, sensual mouth, almost bruised from so much kissing. He spoke with a strong Italian accent that Angelica found as attractive as Olivier’s French one, and he gesticulated with his hands. He was confident and funny and wild about Kate. Having expected an awkward evening pretending they all liked him, they were surprised to discover that no pretense was necessary.
Kate dragged the girls into her bedroom after dinner to discuss him. “I’m so grateful that he likes me, belly and all,” she said. “I mean, he’s never even had a child of his own, so having to put up with my two, and this one in here, is Herculean.” She looked so pathetically grateful that even Candace was unable to find anything cynical to say.
It was only when Kate texted her friends in panic a week later that Angelica pushed aside her suspicions and ran to her aid, leaving the children to have tea with Sunny. Kate opened the door and grabbed her by the wrist. “You have to hear this. You won’t believe it.” She didn’t look tearful and bedraggled like she had the day of the pregnancy test. Instead, she almost looked amused. The doorbell went again, and Candace walked in with Letizia. Angelica found Scarlet in a pair of black velvet hot pants drinking a cup of tea on the club fender. She beckoned her over with a wave of her hand, the rows of bracelets jingling on her arm like armor.
“Hi, doll. This is hilarious!” she said, flicking her blond bob.
“At least she hasn’t split up with Edmondo.”
“God, no, to the contrary, that seems to be rocking.”
“So what’s happened now?”
“I’m not going to spoil it. She has to tell you herself.”
“Did we all need to schlep out to hear it?”
“Yes. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.”
Letizia and Candace came into the sitting room. “Tea, anyone?” asked Kate breezily.
“Yes, please,” said Candace. “You can lace it with something stronger if you think we need fortification.”
“I’m the one needing fortification, but I’ve given up booze.”
“Really?” asked Letizia, sitting down on the sofa.
“Really. I’ve clearly got a problem, so I’ve joined AA. Edmondo is supporting me all the way.”
“I’m impressed,” said Candace. “Generous and sensible.”