Well Behaved Wives(64)

Shirley seemed surprised by Harriet’s candor, but didn’t seem to know exactly what she meant.

Ruth did know and, while it flustered her, she took offense on her mother-in-law’s behalf. It was one thing to be mad at Ruth, but it was entirely unfair to take it out on Shirley. “Harriet, that’s not nice,” Ruth said.

Shirley was aware enough to know the air in the room needed calming, and she raised her arm as if to forestall any argument that might erupt. “Lillian and I do approach things differently, but I can assure you it’s the same lesson.” She smiled. “I suppose I can begin by telling you what I remind myself every day—it’s not only my job, but my privilege to make someone feel comfortable in my home. Elegance is just another way of saying refined. Elegant doesn’t have to mean fancy.”

The doorbell rang. “Ah. There’s Carrie,” Shirley said.

Ruth slouched a bit; anxiety had tightened her muscles and straightened her posture—and exhausted her. Shirley walked to the front door alone, and the girls could hear the door open and Shirley greeting her guest.

But when she returned to the room, it was Lillian, not Carrie, who was by her side.

Lillian, who appeared fresh and well, not ill at all.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Shirley said.

Wasn’t this considered extremely rude, coming unannounced?

Ruth stood. “Where’s Carrie?” She noticed all the eyes on her and realized she’d spoken out of turn.

“Hello to you too, Ruth,” Lillian said.

“You’re feeling better?” Irene asked.

“I am. I had a hectic day yesterday, and thought I needed a lie-in, but once Peter and my daughters left, I realized it was the last thing I needed. Especially knowing Shirley made lunch.”

“We’re staying here, then?” Harriet asked.

“We are. It would be rude to leave, don’t you agree?” Lillian raised her chin as if she wasn’t going to let another lesson get away from her like lesson three had.

“I suppose.” Harriet looked at her hands, somewhat humbled by Lillian’s subtle admonishment.

“I know this is different from what we’d originally planned, but there’s no shame in needing a break,” Lillian said. “I had a busy weekend, but you girls are good medicine. Entertaining can be very therapeutic. It surrounds you with pleasant people.” She took a moment to smile at each of them.

Ruth couldn’t tell if she was more surprised or relieved that Lillian was being gracious to her. All her friends had told her to mind her own business; Harriet and even Irene were standoffish today. Lillian wasn’t. Ruth decided that probably had more to do with elegant entertaining and etiquette than Lillian’s real feelings toward her. She remembered the discomfort of being ushered out of Lillian’s house all too well.

Shirley looked at her watch. “Should we get started?”

Ruth squirmed. The seat beside her was still empty. “I’m sorry, I know manners and lunch are important to all of you, it’s just that Carrie’s not usually late.” Her voice sounded shaky, and she hoped the others didn’t notice.

Irene raised an eyebrow and Harriet gave a little huff. They clearly had their own ideas about why Carrie hadn’t shown up. Or they didn’t care.

“I’m sure she’ll be here any minute,” Shirley said. “Why don’t we wait in the dining room?”

They left their seats in the living room and converged around the dining room table. As the girls fumbled with notepads and pencils, the doorbell rang again.

The sound jarred Ruth, yet no one else seemed to take it as anything more than what was expected. Ruth was worried about Carrie; the others were nonchalant. Had they heard anything Ruth said? Didn’t the suspicions linger in their thoughts?

“See?” Harriet said, looking pointedly at Ruth.

She was so relieved, she didn’t take offense at Harriet’s haughty attitude.

If Ruth’s suspicions were correct, Eli wouldn’t stop what he did to his wife, and Carrie would need friends more than ever. She had no family or other friends in this town. Ruth spun around, anxious to answer the door herself.

“Lil, would you get the door?” Shirley asked.

Ruth’s shoulders tensed as Lillian nodded and walked away. Shirley babbled on about table arrangements, invitations, and seating charts, and the girls scribbled furiously in their notebooks. Ruth barely heard any of it, her attention focused on Carrie’s entry to the room.

A moment later, when Lillian returned, she returned alone.

Ruth’s breath choked in her throat. No Carrie. Where was she?

Lillian headed straight for Ruth and, tugging on her arm, whispered in her ear. “Can I see you for a moment?”

Ruth was perturbed. What now?

Lillian raised her hand and spoke in an audible voice to the others. “Carry on, ladies, we’ll be right back.”

“Everything okay?” Shirley asked.

“Yes.”

Satisfied, Shirley pointed to the food and began to describe each dish to the assembled guests. Lillian tapped Ruth’s shoulder. “Come.”

Once they were in the hall, Ruth asked, “What’s going on?”

“Follow me.”

They walked back into the silent living room, where a strange woman was sitting at the edge of the recliner. Way overdressed for the time of year, she wore a long coat, sunglasses, and a scarf around her head. The woman wore no lipstick, or even makeup, and her lip looked puffy . . .