The Wanton Princess

Georgina, now very flushed, swiftly intervened, 'John! Before we married it was understood between us that when I went to London 1 should be free to lead my life as I pleased. I'll neither confirm nor deny your allegations against Roger. But this is not your house; 'tis mine. And I'll have whom I will to stay in it. Even so, 1 am with you that Roger has behaved most unbecomingly towards you. He will apologize and that is to be the end of the matter.'

Never before bad Roger seen John Beefy even approach losing his temper. Realizing now that he had every justification for doing so, he regained control of himself and said quietly, ‘I pray you forgive me, John. I had become overwrought by brooding on this terrible peace that has been imposed upon England. As for myself and Georgina, I plan shortly to go abroad again; but if it is your wish I will depart now and send my seconds to you.'

Beefy shrugged his broad shoulders, 'I accept your apology for the slur upon my patriotism. But as an honest merchant unused to handling weapons I'd be out of my senses to engage in a duel with a professional killer. Regarding Georgina's claim that I'd not call into question any associations she might form during her stays in London, she is in the right. But for her to expect me to sit at table with her lover is another matter.' Drawing himself up so stiffly that he looked slightly ridiculous, the injured husband stalked from the room.

Georgina and Roger stared ruefully at one another for a moment, then they both began to laugh and he said, 'How prodigious pompous he was. Head in air and his back as stiff as a ramrod. But there it is, we are caught out.’

'Alas, yes,' she chuckled. 'If only he could have seen himself as the honest merchant looking down his nose at the professional killer. But 'tis no laughing matter. He is a dear fellow and loves me to distraction. One cannot wonder that knowing you now to be my lover he cannot bear having you in the house.'

Roger shrugged, 'In the world to which we have been used a few husbands elect to defend their honour, but most accept such a situation gracefully. Since he'll do neither, what's to be done? Shall I order that my bags be repacked and get me hence?'

'No,' she said firmly. 'I am mistress here, and that I'll not allow. Moreover, while you were quarrelling with him, both your backs were to the hall door, and it was half open. James, the footman, appeared there for a moment and was about to enter then, witnessing the rumpus, quickly withdrew. He cannot have heard much but if you leave tonight the servants will put it down to that and provoke an open scandal. 'Twill be all over the county within a few days. Then, like it or not. John will have to call you out or stand disgraced. I'll tell him so, and that until after tomorrow night he must grin and bear your company.'

On that they parted and went up to their rooms to change for dinner. Fortunately, two couples had been invited: so their presence, together with that of the urbane Colonel Thursby, prevented any further rupture between Beefy and Roger. The former was sullen and morose throughout the evening whereas Roger, being so practised in concealing his feelings when a difficult situation arose, talked with his usual carefree gaiety. And, as none of the other guests had yet heard the peace terms, he deliberately refrained from bringing up the subject, in order to avoid giving Beefy a new cause to quarrel with him.

As soon as the guests had gone they went up to bed. Half an hour later, Georgina came to his room. Sitting up in bed, he smiled at her and said, 'What a delightful surprise. You have never paid me this compliment since you married your Mr. Beefy.'

With a frown she shook her head, 'I've not come to pleasure you tonight. But I have to talk to you, and we'll have no chance tomorrow. It's chilly here. Move over and make room for me.'

As she got into his bed he gave a laugh and put his arm round her. 'We'll talk later, be it your wish. But how can you think I'd miss such an opportunity? Take off that robe, my dearest love, and all that you may have on beneath it.'

'No, Roger, no!' she exclaimed impatiently and broke his embrace. 'This is a serious matter. I have had a talk with John and must tell you of it.'

'Oh, damn the fellow! Still, if you must. What has the pompous ass to say?'

'He has issued me an ultimatum. Either you go from this house the morning after the party and do not return, or he will leave mc.'

'Let him 'then,' Roger replied angrily. 'Why you should ever have married such an oaf passes my comprehension.'

'He is not an oaf,' she retorted, her black eyes flashing, 'but the dearest, sweetest-natured man that I have ever met in my whole life.'

'Including myself?'

'For me you are a man apart from all others, but had we married it would have been calamitous to our abiding love. I mean as a husband and a father to the children. He has given me a new and happy life with which I am utterly contented.'

'Until you feel the itch to go to London and wanton in your bed with some more civilized and amusing gallant.'

'Nay: there I refresh my mind with intelligent conversation and indulge my love of gaiety. But I'd have you know that since I married Mr. Beefy, excepting with yourself I have been faithful to him.'

'Then the leopardess has certainly changed her spots and I am more honoured than I knew,' Roger commented sarcastically. 'But surely you cannot seriously mean that you will never have me at Stillwaters again?'

'I do. I had hoped to argue him into adopting the complaisancy shown by many husbands; but I failed in that. Like most simple, straightforward persons he is impossible to move when once his mind is made up, and I'm determined not to lose him. To ask me to do so would be to behave like the veriest dog in the manger, Roger. Why should I sacrifice my happy existence while you live abroad, sometimes for years on end? When you do return again to England we can still enjoy ourselves in Berkeley Square.'

'True, true; but never to come to Stillwaters again...

'Is that so hard'?'

'Can you think it otherwise? Many of the happiest hours of my life have been spent here with you. Then there are the children.'

'They can stay with me at times in London and you can see them then.'

' 'Twould not be the same. No lake to take them on; no place for them to ride their ponies safely; no woods in which to ramble with them and find them birds' nests.'

'That I cannot help. My contentment means more to me than the pleasure of having you here for a short time once in a year or two. You are to me each time we meet anew like a draught of rich golden wine, but John is my bread and butter. I'll never find another like him, and nothing will induce me to let him go. That is my final word; and so, good night.'

As she spoke, she slipped out of bed and walked quickly to the door. Sitting up he called after her, 'Georgina! Come back! We cannot leave matters like this. That I must have sounded monstrous selfish. I admit. But returning to Stillwaters has meant so much to me. Each time I love it more. Surely we can find some way to reach a compromise?'

His last words fell on deaf ears, for Georgina had left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Thinking the matter over, he soon admitted to himself that there was everything to be said for Georgina's point of view and nothing for his own. To expect her to part with a husband who suited her so well in order that a lover, whom she could see as often as she liked when he was in London, could pay occasional visits to her country home was utterly unreasonable. Nevertheless, Roger felt extremely sore about the matter. From the age of nineteen, when Georgina was married to her first husband. Sir Humphrey Etheredge, to whom the house had belonged, he had stayed there as a privileged guest, and on most of those occasions they had been free to do as they liked in it; so it was not altogether unnatural that he should look on John Beefy as an interloper.