The Passionate Friends. Meg Alexander

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.”

      Judith was quick to sense his concern. “Are you worried about her? The doctor gave you a good report, I hope?”

      “Prudence is well enough at present, though I can’t persuade her to rest. Judith, I’d be grateful if you’d have a word with her. She is accustomed to be so active, but you are always a calming influence.”

      “I’ll do my best,” she promised.

      “Then come and see her now.” Elizabeth jumped to her feet. “Oh, I had forgot. We’ve ordered tea in the salon. The boys will be starving…” She held out her hands to her daughter, and led the way across the hall.

      Under their father’s watchful eye, the boys were on their best behaviour, and to Elizabeth’s evident relief, the carpets suffered no disaster. Her own girls ate little, and were clearly flagging after their walk in the park.

      “Time for bed, I think,” their mother said firmly. “Come, Judith, shall you care to see them bathed?”

      Her pride in her children was evident, and Perry smiled as the little party left the room.

      “Judith is such a dear,” he said warmly. “She’s looking better today, I think, don’t you?”

      “She’s at her best with children,” Sebastian agreed. “I was surprised to see her here this afternoon. When did she arrive?”

      “It must have been a couple of hours ago.” Dan’s attempt at a casual reply was unconvincing.

      “Why, you sly dog, you’ve been keeping her to yourself. What will the dreaded Truscott say to that, I wonder?”

      “She tells me that he’s gone away…”

      “For good, I hope?”

      “No such luck.” Dan’s glance at his companions was filled with meaning. “He is attending to some family business, so I hear.”

      “I wonder if we’ve flushed him out?” Perry’s eyes began to sparkle. “Odd behaviour…I mean, to leave so suddenly. Don’t you agree, Sebastian?”

      His brother frowned. “There may be a good reason. Why must you insist on jumping to the worst conclusions?”

      “Don’t like the look of the chap.”

      “I didn’t know you’d seen him. You don’t accompany Elizabeth to his sermons, do you?”

      “Just thought I’d take a look at him on the night we heard the news.”

      “Perry, you are the outside of enough! Did I not warn you not to make enquiries in his parish?”