The Delanos

Proserpina

Lucien was away for a day. He kept calling to check on us and I was aware of Beston hovering around in the house, more than he usually did. I knew that something was happening but with my work, my children and the general running of the house, I had too much on my hands to really bother. My pregnancy was also not too smooth. On the day after he left, I woke up feeling queasy and had to stay in bed for longer than I usually did.

*

Ria had brought young Philippe to the kitchen for a glass of lemonade. He was a lanky young fellow and a few years older than her. Easily seven years older, I thought, as I watched the tanned young boy.

That he adored Ria was obvious. He did not take his eyes off her and followed her commands like an obedient slave. Piers had also trailed in after them to the kitchen and was fooling around with the puppy. I shooed them out soon enough but before that, I heard Ria excitedly tell Philippe,

‘We are having our birthday party next week.’

The young boy w