Page 116 of The Seven Sisters

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Bel woke the following morning knowing she must have drunk too much the night before. Or had at least experienced a rush of blood to her head. Why else would she have agreed to meet Laurent this afternoon at his apartment?

She rolled over and groaned. Last night, she’d lain in bed joyfully reliving every heated glance and word that had passed between them, but now she played out the dreadful consequences of Laurent’s presence here in Rio.

She had been married to Gustavo for less than a month. And yet she had confessed to Laurent that not only was she unhappy in her marriage, but that she still lovedhim. . .

What madness had possessed her?

The madness of love . . .

Whatever affliction it was, the consequences of Gustavo finding out about the relationship they’d had in France, let alone if it was continued now, were too awful even to contemplate.

Bel stood up and went to the bathroom. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, asking it what she should do. The safest option was simply not to visit Laurent at his apartment this afternoon. If she stayed away, she was sure he would accept it and not bother her again.

Laurent’s eyes immediately took the place of her own in the glass, full of love, promise and fulfilment, and she shuddered with pleasure despite herself.

*

Loen was in her bedroom when she came out of the bathroom.

‘How are you, Senhora Bel?’ Loen asked as she hung up the beautiful silk dress Bel had discarded in a heap on the floor last night.

‘I am . . . a little tired,’ she admitted.

‘He was here last night, wasn’t he? Your sculptor?’ Loen said as she continued to tidy the room.

‘Yes, he was. I . . . Oh Loen.’ Bel sank onto the bed, put her head in her hands and wept. Loen came to sit next to her and put an arm round her mistress.

‘Please don’t cry. Surely you must be a little happy he has come to Brazil?’

‘Yes . . . no . . .’ Bel looked up at Loen. ‘I’ve done something very silly,’ she admitted. ‘I told him I’d meet him at his apartment in Ipanema this afternoon.’

‘I see.’ Loen nodded calmly. ‘Will you go?’

‘How can I? I am married and I have agreed to meet another man! What would you do, Loen? Please, tell me.’

‘I don’t know,’ Loen sighed. ‘I want to tell you that of course it would be wrong to meet with him. But if it was Bruno, I doubt I could stop myself. Especially if I knew he might only be here temporarily.’

‘You’re encouraging me, Loen,’ Bel said as she eyed her maid, ‘when I need to be told that it’s madness.’

‘It is,’ Loen agreed, ‘but you know that anyway. Perhaps it would be best if you met him just this once and told him that you can’t ever see him again. And said a final goodbye.’

‘And how would I do that? Senhora Aires Cabral watches my every move.’

‘You have a fitting in Ipanema with Madame Duchaine at two o’clock this afternoon for your new season’s wardrobe,’ Loen replied. ‘We can attend, then perhaps you could say you felt unwell and leave your fitting, giving you enough time to meet with your sculptor. It would give you at least a couple of hours together.’

‘Loen, what are you doing to me?’ Bel said despairingly, knowing her maid’s plan was all too easy to execute.

‘I’m being your friend, Bel, as you have been mine. I’ve seen the misery in your eyes every day since your marriage. I want you to be happy. Life is very short, and marriage to one you don’t love is very long. So,’ Loen said, rising from the bed, ‘you make your decision and I will do whatever you wish to help you.’

‘Thank you. I will think,’ Bel agreed.

*

‘Good morning,’ Luiza greeted her as she arrived at the table. ‘Did you sleep well, my dear?’

‘Yes, I did, thank you.’