The adulteress

It was sad. Before his accident he would have been equal to the task of looking after an estate the size of Eversleigh. I knew now though that we could not wait too long before finding the right man. After the experience of Amos Carew we should have to be careful. I think I should always be suspicious of everyone after having known him. Sometimes I woke up out of a nightmare when I was looking into a masked face which I believed to be Dickon's. I would always awake with a terrible start and have to convince myself that it was all a dream; and in any case my would-be murderer had not been Dickon. He had been my savior.

I was in discussion with Mrs. Jethro one afternoon when one of the servants came to tell me that I had a visitor.

I was so certain that it was Isabel that I did not ask who it was.

"She's in the winter parlor, madam," said the servant.

I hurried down and opened the door, smiling. I stood absolutely still. The woman who rose from the chair was not Isabel. I felt a tingle of fear run through me. It was Evalina.

She came forward smiling.

"I thought I'd better be neighborly," she said.

I stammered: "It was good of you to call."

"Well, we live close now, don't we? You mistress of Eversleigh Court and me of Grasslands."

I nodded. "Would you care for some refreshment?"

"Oh no. I'm getting so fat. I'm a little too fond of the good things of life. Aren't we all?"

"I suppose so. Do sit down."

She did so. I sat too. I felt my heart beating uncomfortably.

"It seems a long time," she said. "But it's not all that time, is it?"

"I hear you have a little boy."

"My Richard." She looked straight at me smiling. "What a blessing! Nothing like little ones, is there? My poor Andrew ... he's overcome with joy. You can imagine. He never thought for a moment there'd be a child. Well, life's full of surprises, isn't it?"

"I am sure he is delighted."

"Just as your dear husband was when you told him you were expecting, I daresay. These men ... they do like little ones, don't they? ... particularly when they've given up all hope."

"I am sure the little boy has brought great happiness to you both."

"Yes ... just like your little girl. I say, what a little beauty, eh? Wait till she's a bit older! She'll have them all buzzing round her, won't she? Little bit of honey, that's what she is ... and you can't keep bees off honey. I told Andrew what a little pet she was. Nice laughing ways ... Frenchified, I said to Andrew."

She was baiting me. Why had she come here like this? I was beginning to wish I was back at Clavering.

But I was not going to let her intimidate me with her innuendos.

I said: "How is your mother?"

"Oh ... I never hear a word from her now... . She'll be off somewhere. Shouldn't be surprised if she's gone abroad. It wasn't her fault, you know. It was Amos. He always made her do what he wanted. There's some men like that. You and me ... we're lucky. We've got our two dear little children. It was funny the way they took to each other. My little Richard just laughed up at her and wouldn't stop looking. He don't do that to everyone, I can tell you. It was as though they knew they were two of a kind."

"Two of a kind?"

"Yes, my little Richard and your little Lottie. A sort of fellow feeling. Funny how these children are."

She was looking at me insolently. I was thinking: Dickon was here. They were together... . Was she telling me something? Did she mean that she and I were of a kind?

Her eyes were sparkling.

She said slowly: "I shall never forget the first time we met. You came to Eversleigh ... and there was that man over at Enderby, that French gentleman. He was a charmer, wasn't he?" She laughed. "Well, he went off, didn't he? Very different they are at Enderby now. The Forsters ... not the sort you'd expect to find in a house like that. The doctor's a fine gentleman. Have you met him? You'd like him." She laughed. "Different from the French gentleman. ... A bit on the gloomy side ... but a change is nice, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked suddenly.

"Oh, nothing. Just rambling on. I do, Andrew tells me. He likes it ... he laughs at me. He's a very grateful man. Well, who wouldn't be, presented with a son at his time of life? Just what he'd always wanted and never thought he could get."

She started to laugh.

I stood up. I said: "I know you'll forgive me. As we have only just come there is so much to do."

She rose drawing on her gloves. She was very properly dressed for the call.

"Well, we're neighbors now," she said. "There'll be plenty of opportunities for little chats."

She took my hand and smiled into my face.

I thought she looked sly, menacing.

I conducted her to the door and watched her walk away.

I felt more than a twinge of alarm.

The idea of giving a housewarming party came to me when I was with Isabel one morning. We were becoming good friends and I found her presence very comforting. She knew so much about the customs of the neighborhood and was on good terms with most of the people.