Page 59 of The Quiet Wife (Stately Scandals #2)

London - Kensington

On the first of January, Frederick became the majority shareholder of Bibby Shipping. Frances read the reports in the newspaper about his success while sitting in the parlour of the Prince’s Gate house.

She was pleased for him. At last, he had what he wanted. A mistress that he could truly love. Looking back, Bibby had been his only real love his entire life.

The Queen’s Gate house was now sold, so there was nowhere to retreat to.

Here at the Prince’s Gate house, Jemie simply surrounded her.

Everywhere she went, everything she did, he was there.

He lingered in the paintings in the hall, in the dining room, in the portrait of her that now hung in the drawing room.

But more than that, it was the echoes of his voice, his laughter.

His kindness, tenderness, and his love. Memories of him were everywhere.

When she curled up in her bed, the bed she’d shared with him, she could feel him.

She had sent word to him from Liverpool telling him about what she had done, what she had achieved, but there had been no reply. That hurt even more than his absence in the house.

She laid the newspaper down and finished her tea.

She was due to go shopping with Edith later in the morning.

She was planning the furnishings for her new home, and there wasn’t an artist in sight.

It was all her own ideas. Frederick had agreed to purchase a charming property for her in Chelsea and she was determined that this would be a place she could truly enjoy.

She got up and straightened her skirt, just as the door opened and the footman showed in Jemie.

She stared at him, shocked. It was all she could do. She took in every inch of him and opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out.

“Oh, Frances.” He strode across the room, and she met him halfway. They wrapped their arms around each other and held on. He buried his face in her neck, and she felt him tremble.

“I didn’t dare write to you in case your husband saw. It was an age before I could leave London and the mess Leyland landed me with. I went to Liverpool,” he mumbled against her neck. “I went to see you there, but you’d left.”

“Oh, Jemie,” she whispered, holding him tight. He hadn’t abandoned her at all.

His mouth sought hers and they kissed. It was like coming home.

When they finally slowed and pulled away, he lay his forehead against hers.

“When I heard what you’d done… Read your letter. When Lizzie told me…” He closed his eyes and swallowed. “What he did to you.”

“Hush. It’s all over and done with now. I’m here. I’m so glad you are too.”

He cupped her face in his hands and inspected every inch before kissing her with exquisite tenderness.

“Will he really let you go?”

“I doubt it, but he has agreed that we can live separately, and we have a legal agreement in place. I’m buying a house in Chelsea not far from your mother. I hope she won’t mind.”

“She will be delighted.” He kissed her again. “As will I.” He looked at her. “Your own home?”

A smile lifted her lips at the thought. “My very own.”

He smiled and kissed her softly. Their lips lingered.

“Are you still going to Vienna?” she asked after a while, fearing she knew what his response would be.

He gave her an anguished look. “I must. I can’t stay. Leyland has dragged my name and reputation through the mud so comprehensively I’m ruined. He’s bankrupted me and made it impossible for me to stay. I have nothing.”

Frances closed her eyes on a wave of tears. Jemie had lost everything because of her.

“I have a good chance of recovering my reputation and making money in Vienna away from your husband. If I stay here, I doubt I’ll recover.”

“I would come with you if I could. You do understand that don’t you.” Frances’ chin wobbled as she patted his chest.

“Of course I do. I wish we were free to do as we please, but at least I can see you now. For a long time, I thought I’d never see you again and I didn’t know how I would manage. I even thought of kidnapping you and the children and whisking you off to America.”

She chuckled weakly.

He squeezed her tightly. “I am so sorry for the way I behaved. The argument, making you walk with me… I can’t believe I did that, and I can’t believe you will forgive me.”

“I forgive you,” she whispered and kissed him again. “It took me a little while to understand, but I do. I think it hurt you more than me. I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger. Sorry I didn’t put a stop to it. I knew what Frederick was capable of.”

They held each other. An edge of desperation in the embrace.

“When do you leave?”

“In four days.” His eyes were wet, and Frances felt tears spring to hers.

“Four days.” She nodded, lips trembling. “Well.” She stroked his beloved face. “We have a lot of making up to do.”