Page 82 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
He nodded. “I wonder. Am I a male figure you can fall in love with, but who is quite safe from your having to get more intimate with?”
“Oh.” It felt like a slap in the face. “No. Not at all.” She shook her head vehemently.
“You are still a young woman,” he went on.
Ellie had to smile. “I’m almost fifty-two.”
“Young at heart. You have been betrayed by one man, and so you make sure you don’t get too close to any other man, in case it happens again. But I am unreachable, therefore safe.”
“Oh no,” she said again, but then added quietly, “You may be right.”
“You might also consider that this is a temptation for me. You saw how quickly we established a rapport. We definitely felt a spark of shall I say attraction ... between us.”
“So you are telling me you don’t want me to come again.”
“Not at all. I’m just saying we have to make sure we understand that we must tread lightly, analyse our feelings. Be honest about this with each other.”
“Yes,” she said. “I would not want to cause you any embarrassment or discomfort.”
“Then I would suggest an occasional visit. Come with the ferry, and I will make time for you, but don’t rely on me and my comfort as your main support. Find that elsewhere. My words for you are that being alone is not healthy. That is why we men live in a community as we strive for holiness. Make sure you reach out to others. Believe me when I say that we are all going to need the support of those around us very soon. The war has not touched us yet, but it will. There will be sorrow and suffering and need, and we all must make sure that we do our part to bring a little light into that darkness.”
He got up then, took her hands, holding them for a long minute before he released her and gave a blessing. “Go with God,” he said.
Ellie walked away, her hands warm from his touch. She realized that everything he had said was true. She would have to be careful. She was already more than a little in love with him.
Chapter 33
Mavis returned from her honeymoon looking radiant. That pinched, hollow, sallow face had bloomed into a happy one. “We had the best time, Mrs E.,” she said as she arrived at the villa one morning. “It was this pretty little village with smashing views all over the countryside—lots of vineyards and olive groves, and Louis knew everybody, so we were being invited to people’s houses for one meal after another. They were amazed how quickly I learned French. Of course I didn’t like to tell them that the way they nattered on so quickly I could only pick up one word in a sentence. I did a lot of nodding and saying, ‘Oui, oui.’”
“I’m so glad for you, Mavis,” Ellie said. “I can’t tell you how glad I am.”
Mavis paused, looked around. “What’s up?” she said. “Something ain’t right, is it?”
“It’s Dora,” Ellie said. “She died last week.”
“Oh no. Poor Dora. Why didn’t you send a telegram? I’d have come home.”
“As if I’d disturb your honeymoon, Mavis.”
“But you were all on your own. You had to cope with her funeral yourself. I’m so sorry. I feel terrible.”
“You’ve nothing to feel sorry about. Everyone was very kind. She’s buried in the cemetery here. And she died quite content, I’m sure. She said this was the happiest time of her life.”
“But what are you going to do now? You’re all alone in this big place. Don’t worry. I’ll come and help you clean and manage the gardens and the chickens. And you’ve still got Bruno.”
“Mavis, you have your own life now,” Ellie said. “I’d certainly appreciate a little help now and then, and of course I welcome your company, but I don’t want you to feel torn between helping me and looking after your husband.”
“Oh, Louis won’t mind.” Mavis laughed. “He’s been on his own for so long now he’s good at taking care of himself. He’s quite a good cook, and his taste in food is really simple. If you give him bread, cheese and wine, he’s quite happy. You must come down to our house for a meal. If only it were a bit bigger, I’d invite you to come and live with us, but ...”
“Mavis, I wouldn’t dream of barging in on newlyweds,” Ellie said. “I love this house, as you know. And I’ve got Tiger, who has become quite affectionate. And Babette the goat. And the viscount has returned. I’ve been for lunch with him.”
“You want to work on him, ducks,” Mavis said, giving her a nudge. “Maybe he needs a wife.”
“Oh goodness, no,” Ellie laughed. “He absolutely does not want a wife. His great love was another man. Besides, he’s much younger than I am, and I think he’d be impossible to live with. He’s rather a spoiled little boy. Quite delightful to chat with, but I think one could take him only in small doses.” She paused, considering. “Besides, I can’t see myself getting married again. I had one selfish and annoying husband, and that was enough.”
“But what will you do once this new government starts throwing their weight around? Louis says they’ll do what the Germans tell them, even though we’re in the free zone. They might think that you’re the enemy.”
“I have to take that risk,” Ellie said. “I can’t go back to England, and I’ve nowhere else to go. Besides, I feel safe here. I think everyone will look after me.”
