Page 112 of Frankly, My Dear

“I know what that is,” Ellen said brightly.

“You do?” James and Selene asked at the same time, gaping at the dimwitted lady.

“Yes. Orulsis. It’s a kind of needlework pattern. I read about it in an embroidery book.” Ellen looked at her husband for approval, and he beamed as if she were a rocket scientist. Then she turned back to James. “What type of stitch did this article recommend?”

“Tongue and groove,” James answered without even blinking.

Selene literally gaped at him.

“And what kind of needle?” Ellen asked eagerly.

“Oh, pointed.” He waved a hand airily.

“Huh?” Ellen looked confused.

“And the article also suggested a sort of fluttery motion of the…needle.” James flicked his fingertips back and forth in the air to demonstrate.

I’m going to kill him, Selene thought.

He grinned at her and winked.

She shook her head in amazement and couldn’t help but smile at the comedic turn this dinner party was taking.

James tamed down for the remainder of the meal. But he looked so sad and miserable, sitting there tracing the rim of his coffee cup, that Selene almost forgot how sad and miserable she was herself.

When Andrew shifted in his chair, Selene stiffened with foreboding. “I suppose we should be going soon,” he told Ellen. “Shall I gather the girls and get the boat ready?”

A wild panic thrummed through Selene and she had to press her knuckles to her trembling mouth to keep from crying out.

Ellen nodded and stood.

“I suppose you think I love you,” James blurted out, his eyes locking with Selene’s.

Everyone gasped with surprise.

Selene’s heart stopped beating for a second, then jump-started into a wild, erratic thumping against her chest wall.

“I never thought that,” she said weakly, clutching the lacy edges of the tablecloth.

“Liar,” James accused her gently.

“I think we’d better leave before it gets dark,” Andrew blustered. His florid face flushed with discomfort and confusion as he led his equally confused wife from the room. He added over his shoulder, “It’s obvious you won’t be sending Selene with us now.”

“You won’t?” Selene asked James, tilting her head questioningly. “Be sending me away?” Suddenly, ripples of hope turned Selene’s deadened spirits alive.

James declined to answer, just continued to stare at her enigmatically.

“Well, it’s been nice seeing you again,” Pierce said mockingly as he stood. “I don’t suppose I’ll be passing this way again for a few years.”

“My pleasure, Pierce. I have you to thank for…a number of things today.” James inclined his head meaningfully at Selene.

Pierce chuckled, bending down to kiss Selene’s cheek.

James made a low, snarling sound but said nothing more.

Reba and Fergus departed, as well, leaving only Mrs. Baptiste. James’s mother looked from him to Selene and then back to her son, nodding with satisfaction. James stood when his mother did, and she hugged him warmly.

“I’m taking Etienne to sleep in the garçonnière with me tonight. You need privacy to resolve your issues, my son.”