Daughters of the Lake(74)

“I know every man hopes for a son to carry on the family name.” Jess chewed thoughtfully. “But I’d be just as happy with a little girl, as beautiful as her mother.”

Kate felt herself smiling. “Can you imagine how spoiled a little girl would be with you as her doting father?”

“We’ll need a bigger house for all of the dolls I’m going to buy for her.” Jess smiled. He stood up and dropped his napkin on the plate before him. “I’ll get right on that today. ‘Earn more money. Needed to spoil child.’”

“Excellent,” Kate said. “You do that, and I’ll keep busy growing the baby.”

Jess walked toward the door. “Don’t forget, darling, we have dinner at the Connors’ tonight.” At Harrison’s House.

“I remember,” Kate sighed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go. I don’t want to go.”

Jess turned and looked at her. “Why ever not?”

“Will it be just the four of us, or will other people be attending as well?” Kate could feel tension begin to build up in the pit of Addie’s stomach.

“I don’t know,” Jess said offhandedly. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m uncomfortable around some of the Connors’ friends. One in particular.”

“Which one?” Jess said casually.

“You know full well which one.” Kate could feel Addie’s determination to hold her husband’s gaze. She would not be the first to look away. She’s talking about the woman in the ballroom! She suspects something is going on! She’s confronting him! An uncomfortable silence fell between husband and wife. Kate felt it in the air, as tangible as fog.

“I thought we were finished with those silly doubts of yours, Addie.” Jess smiled at her. He’s too calm. Too collected. His wife is accusing him of infidelity, and he’s cool as ice water. He’s treating her like a child.

“I thought we were finished with you taking me for a fool,” Kate said, and walked away from him. She looked out the kitchen window toward the water. Kate could feel Addie’s heart racing. Her eyes were quickly blinking back tears.

“Nothing happened between Sally and me, darling,” Jess said, hurriedly gathering up some papers into his leather briefcase. “She’s just an old friend, that’s all. You’re making much too much of it.”

“I just don’t want that woman anywhere near us. Not now. The fact that she keeps coming to Wharton—to visit whom? Why does she keep appearing at dinners and parties thrown by our friends?”

Jess turned away from Addie and ran a hand through his hair. He took a deep breath and turned back to his wife.

“Yes, I courted some women, including Sally, before we were married. That I didn’t tell you about it myself—that was a mistake on my part. I know that now. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not telling you before, and I’m sorry for the way you found out about it, at that party in the Connors’ ballroom, in front of everyone. She has treated you horribly. But refusing to go to the Connors’—”

“I’m not refusing to go,” Addie said. “I’ve never refused to go. It’s just that—” Her words dissolved into tears.

Jess dropped to his knees in front of his wife, putting his head on her stomach. “Addie, I’m so sorry. Let’s not have angry words between us.”

Addie didn’t respond. She was looking the other way, anywhere but at her husband.

“Please, Addie. I’d rather die than hurt you. I love you more than you can imagine. You and our baby are my whole world, my whole life. You mean everything to me. And Sally? It’s not even appropriate uttering her name in the same sentence as yours.” His voice had a hint of desperation to it, Kate thought. As though he was trying too hard. “I will let Harrison know, discreetly, that you don’t want to be at any of the same functions as that woman—that we don’t want to be there. Would that make you happy?”

“And tonight? What about tonight?”

“Sally is not in Wharton at the moment.” Jess seemed to stumble over his words. “Not that I know of, anyway. She will not be at Harrison and Celeste’s tonight. It will be just the four of us. You like Harrison and Celeste well enough, don’t you?”

“I do, yes,” Addie admitted.

“Then, will you consent to go, or should I call it off?”

Addie sighed and smiled wearily at the man she had loved her whole life. “We can attend,” she said, stroking his hair.

“Spend the day pampering yourself,” Jess said. “Take a long walk on the lakeshore if you like.”

“I have the washing to do. I can’t be a lady of leisure today.”

“No, you don’t, and yes, you can, in that order.” Jess smiled. “Starting today, Harrison is sending down one of his girls to help you twice a week until the baby is born, and after that, we’ll talk about engaging her permanently.”

“A maid?” Kate heard Addie saying. “Oh, Jess, I don’t think—”

“That’s right, don’t think about it,” Jess interrupted, laughing. “It’s settled.”

Kate walked Addie’s husband to the door and felt his arms snake around her again. Kate felt herself wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She closed her eyes.