The Perfect Happiness(34)
“She’s married to a Frenchman. Looking good is what he expects,” Kate said. “Betsy Pog told me to dress for Pete, so I went to Selfridges and bought a whole heap of lingerie. Pete is a real silk-and-lace man. Betsy says it’s worth putting on just so that he can take it off.”
“So what have you got on now?” asked Angelica.
Kate pulled down her jeans to reveal red lace knickers. “The bra is adorable.”
“Divine,” breathed Letizia.
“Nice,” agreed Scarlet. “But I’m more fascinated by your stomach.”
“What stomach?” Candace exclaimed.
Kate pulled up her sweater to show off her belly, still brown from her summer in the Caribbean, but as flat as a board. “Oh, it’s growing,” she said, patting it.
“Only you’d know,” said Angelica.
“Has Betsy Pog told you to eat more?” asked Candace. Kate frowned at her. “She should. There’s a starving baby in there!”
“It’s early days,” said Kate.
“Well, the poor creature can’t survive without food.”
“Speaking of which, don’t forget my surprise dinner for Art next Thursday.” Art was Kate’s best friend, married the year before in a gay ceremony to Tod. “He hasn’t the slightest idea, which is astonishing. I’m not known for my ability to keep secrets!”
“You’re on your way,” said Candace. “Which is a great shame.”
• • •
When Angelica returned home, she set about doing the usual duties: homework, tea, bath, and bedtime stories. Every time she passed a mirror she glanced at herself with pleasure and a growing sense of unease. What on earth was she doing having lunch with Jack Meyer? And without telling her husband? She didn’t dare consider the consequences were she to get caught. Candace was right, she was crazy. But she was confident that she would be able to keep it to a friendly flirt. That she’d be in control. That the last thing in the world she would do would be to risk the good life she had.
Olivier came home early to find her sitting on Joe’s bed with Isabel on her knee, reading Stone Soup, her favorite children’s book. Olivier stood in the doorway watching the trio in the soft light of the bedroom, noticing at once his wife’s new hair and appreciating her changing figure. She caught his eye and smiled, registering the admiration in his gaze.
She finished the story and took Isabel to her room. As she walked past her husband, he took her arm and looked at her intensely. “You look really good, Angelica.” She walked on, guilt clawing the inside of her stomach. She kissed her daughter and tucked her in, placing Splat the duck against her chest for her to cuddle. Then she put her son to bed, wrapping her arms around him for the Full Joe. He liked the routine and held her tightly. Olivier kissed their foreheads and chatted a little about their day and what they’d been doing. It was rare that he returned home in time to see them before bedtime.
They met in their bedroom. Angelica recognized the look on her husband’s face from those long-ago trysts at Claridge’s and the irony was not lost on her. He had taken off his jacket and tie and stood appraising her lasciviously.
“You look different tonight,” he remarked, narrowing his eyes.
“I’ve had my hair colored.”
“It’s not just that. You’re looking slimmer, too.”
“I noticed you didn’t like me wearing belts.”
He looked surprised. “So you decided to make an effort for me?”
“Why not?”
“I’m flattered. Women don’t often go to the gym for their husbands.”
“What are you suggesting? That I have a lover?”
He dismissed such a ridiculous idea with a laugh. “Of course not. Women go to the gym to compete with their friends.”
“I couldn’t begin to. They’re all taller and thinner than me.”
“But you have sex appeal, Angelica. That’s what I like about you. So you worked out for me, eh?”
“Yes.” Her lie prevented her from looking him in the eye. She made to walk past him, but he pulled her into his arms.
“Just because I told you not to wear a belt?”
“You said my waist was the widest part of me.”
“I did not!” He was genuinely apologetic. “Did I?”
“You did.”
“I’m sorry. What a careless thing to say. If I hurt you, I apologize. So what do you do?”
“Pilates, Olivier. I realized I’d let myself go. I didn’t want to be voluptuous anymore.” She squeezed his firm shoulders. “Especially as you work out. I didn’t want to end up looking ten years older than my buffed husband.”