Free Blood to Blood by Elaine Bergstrom Page B

look at him, a smile dancing on the edge of her lips. "Did Rose tell you that?"
    "Actually, my mother. She was giving advice on the sort of woman I should not marry. I've always found the other sort boring, though." He hesitated, then made a quick decision and blurted, "Jonathan's a fool."
    "Arthur!"
    "Don't pretend to be shocked. He is. And I feel… I feel as if we are all related now through what we have been through. And if Jonathan wishes a separation or divorce, then may I be considered as an alternate?"
    "We scarcely knew each other before this all began."
    "And no one else will ever know us as well as we know each other because they can never understand what we have been through."
    "That bond won't be enough."
    "Won't it?" He pushed himself and took an unsteady step toward her. She would know he had far too much to drink, so he did his best to keep his speech clear as he added, "When you were Jonathan's wife, how could I have ever looked at you with anything more than affection?
    "I'm still Jonathan's wife," she reminded him.
    And even drunk, he was too much of a gentleman to disagree. "It's gotten late," he said, turning toward the open doorway, wondering if he had the ability to leave. It would be a long hike to the cab on the main road, but it would sober him up, at least.
    "So it has." She looked at him, undoubtedly realizing that he was somewhat unsteady on his feet. "I think you'd best leave in the morning. The sink and closet are at the top of the stairs if you want to get ready for bed. While you're up there, I'll fix us both some chamomile tea."
    She turned toward the kitchen while he pushed himself to his feet, uncertain whether to follow her suggestion or slump back in his chair. He did neither. Instead, he looked at the room around him. "Do you think his ghost is here?"
    She looked back at him, frowning. "Gance's? I haven't felt it."
    "I hope it is. I hope he possesses me and shows me what he did to possess you."
    "He convinced me that the act would be inconsequential. It was a lie I chose to believe."
    "Mina!"
    Later he was convinced that it was the anguish in his tone that made her stand where she was as he went to her, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. But though his passion was genuine, she did not respond.
    Instead, she stood passive in his arms, whispering gently, "And it was inconsequential in one respect. In the beginning, I didn't care a thing about what happened to either of us. I care far more about you, Arthur. And Jonathan."
    He backed away, certain the flush on his cheeks would be noticeable even in the dim light. "I've made a fool of myself. I'm sorry."
    "It's not foolish to say what you feel," she responded and went into the kitchen.
    He stayed where he was for a time, then joined her just as she was putting the kettle on the stove. "Is there any reason to hope?" he asked.
    "If Jonathan and I cannot come to an agreement, there would be reason enough," she said without a trace of the coy tone Lucy might have used.
    Would he be condemned to think of Lucy at the most inopportune moments? Perhaps he deserved it.
    He pushed aside the memory and grinned at his hostess. "Then something came out of my declaration. I can wait." He grabbed his bag from beside the rear door and started for the stairs.
    "You'd best take a light," she called after him.
     
    Gripping the banister, he carried a candle in front of him up the narrow flight of stairs to the second floor. Its dark woodwork seemed to absorb the rays as the thick carpet absorbed his footsteps. Even his breath seemed muted. The scent of the space was familiar, as if the smoke from Gance's pipe had merged so completely with the plaster that they could never be parted. Had he seen his friend standing in front of him, he would have been only mildly surprised.
    Mina had not invited him to explore the second floor, but once he was there, curiosity got the better of him. He lit the lamp in the hallway, a second beside the bathroom sink.