Free The Women of Eden by Marilyn Harris Page A

together."
    She laughed. "It's not exactly insomnia that I'm suffering," she said. "As I told Peggy, we'd better go and see Eden's new grandeur for ourselves before the hordes arrive tomorrow."
    "I would have been happy to escort you."
    "I didn't want to bother you. You've had so much—"
    "It would have been no bother. You know that."
    After this brief and self-conscious exchange, they stood silently, John aware of Peggy's hovering presence behind them.
    "This is the new library," he began, trying to bridge the awkward silence.
    "So Peggy told me."
    "Have you visited the Great Hall?"
    "I have," Harriet replied, "and Peggy's eyes didn't miss a thing."
    At that moment the watchdog herself stepped forward, primly adjusting the collar of her black dress. "We've taken the complete tour, Mr. Eden," she said. "Now I believe Her Ladyship is fatigued and should be returned to—"
    "Oh, Peggy, nonsense," Harriet intervened. "I'm not fatigued at all."
    Encouraged, John suggested, "Then why don't you sit with me for a few minutes? You are right about tomorrow. Our daily visits may have to go by the boards for a while."
    He suggested mildly to Peggy, "Why don't you retire? I'll see Her Ladyship back to her chambers."
    But the protest on Peggy's face was nothing compared to the sharp "No!" which issued from behind the black veil. Harriet lowered her head and when she spoke again her voice was soft though

    determined. "I'll sit with you, John. But, Peggy, you wait near the door. I'll only stay a few minutes; then we shall retire together."
    Reluctantly, John agreed to the arrangement, privately loathing the look of triumph on Peggy's face. But it had always been thus. Not once since his return ten years ago to Eden had Harriet ever occupied the same room with him alone. Others did. She spent hours alone with Lila and the children. And Elizabeth, when she visited Eden, enjoyed endless teas with Harriet, and even Dhari could seek her out in private. Everyone enjoyed Harriet alone except John.
    He should have accustomed himself to the ritual by now, knowing full well the point and purpose behind it. The passion that had brought them together in physical union years ago must not be permitted to flourish again. The first penance had been costly enough and was still not complete.
    As Peggy retreated to the door, John guided Harriet toward the armchair and dragged a second chair into place until they were seated side by side, facing the shrouded canvas of "The Women of Eden."
    For a moment neither spoke, as though the insignificant movements had drained them of all energy. Just as John was on the verge of uttering something witless in an attempt to fill the silence, she asked quietly, "Why couldn't you sleep? I should think that you would be exhausted, and certainly you will need all the rest you can get in order to face the ordeals which you've plotted for yourself."
    He smiled and shrugged. "If only one could will sleep."
    "I have an elixir I'd be happy to share with you, a wicked concoction, Peggy's private recipe."
    "No, thank you!" He laughed. "More than sleep, I need my wits about me tomorrow."
    The small intimacy moved him and gave him courage to speak more freely. "This once was the Banquet Hall, if you recall."
    She nodded. "It always seemed misplaced to me, so far removed from the Kitchen Court."
    "And the painting," John went on, "the Alma-Tadema painting, has Peggy told you about that?"
    Harriet leaned forward, sharing his excitement. "No, and it was curiosity about that painting that led me here. Tell me!"
    "Most scandalous, it is," John whispered, enjoying the new ease between them. "If you hear an explosion on Friday, it will merely be the gentlemen of the Royal Academy."

    *Tell me all about it, John. Describe it in full. Is it in this room? Is it near?"
    As her head turned in all directions, John soothed, "Yes, it's directly before you."
    "You've seen it, then?"
    "Indeed I have." As he launched forth into a detailed description