''How is your mother?''
''Quite well, thank you for asking. Although Moat Hall has become a burden since our finances became so depleted. We have had to let three maids go, and she has to run the house with just a skeleton staff, it really is quite difficult. Do you know I can see your house from my room? I have to lean out, and crane my neck somewhat, but If I do I can just see it. It isn't far over the fields.''
''No, as the crow flies it really isn't far. If you take the road though, I believe it is three miles.''
There was a brief pause in the conversation, while they decided what to choose from the waiter who'd appeared with a stand, full of delicious looking buns and cakes.
''Peter, have you booked a room for this evening?'' Charlotte asked, curious to know where they would be spending the night.
''Yes, at the Savoy. We will go there after we have finished tea. I have booked a splendid room overlooking the Thames.''
*****
Emily spent the evening as usual by the fire. She was halfway through a sampler of a vase of roses, and she wanted to get it finished before Christmas. Tilly had beaten Flossy to the warmest place in front of the fire and she was snoring. Flossy got up and walked to the door, ears pricked. All of a sudden she started to growl. Milly jumped up and ran to join her. Their growls turned into barks and it was more than Emily's ear could stand.
''Girls, stop that awful noise, at once,'' she said, as she got up from the sofa and shooed them away from the door. Milly wasn't pleased though, and she turned around and ran back to the door again. ''What on earth is the matter with you two?'' Emily asked.
When someone tapped on the window, Milly and Flossy became very animated and barked loudly. Emily parted the curtains slightly and peered outside but could see nobody. She must have been hearing things she thought, as she walked back to the sofa. When it happened again she rang for Joesph.
''Someone is throwing pebbles at the windows. It is upsetting the dogs, please go and see who it is, would you,'' she asked.
He returned a few minutes later. ''My Lady, Sir John is here.''
''Sir John, what on earth does he want at this time of the evening? I suppose you'd better show him in.'' Joseph looked down his nose as he beckoned Sir John into the drawing room.
''Sir John, what are you doing here, and why were you throwing pebbles at the window? You frightened the dogs.''
When he opened his mouth, Emily could tell he'd been drinking. ''I wanted to see you. You wouldn't come to dinner, so I have come to you.''
''You've been drinking. Why do you think I would want to sit with a drunk man?'' Emily chastised.
''Lady Emily, I know you are unhappy, I can see it in your eyes every time I talk to you. Your husband neglects you. He is always in London, leaving you here in the countryside with precious little to do. Let me sit with you, and keep you company.''
''Sir John, as much as I value your concern, I must tell you that I am perfectly happy to sit here, and enjoy my embroidery. I have my dogs for company. I am quite content.''
''But your husband treats you so badly. You are beautiful and delicate and you deserve much more. I could make you happy. Do you not miss the warmth of a man?''
Emily did indeed miss the warmth of a man, and felt uneasy that Sir John had touched upon the subject. He was a very handsome young man, and she had reluctantly admitted to herself, on more than one occasion, that she was tempted by him. Her young body craved the feel of a man, and being denied by her husband, was beginning to test her self-control.
''I am a married woman, Sir John, and as much as I value the conversations we have when we bump into each other, you should never confuse my friendly approach to you, as being anything other than that. I am happily married and my husband is a great man, of whom I will hear no ill. Now please leave before I ring for Joseph and ask him to evict you.
When he'd gone, Emily sat in front of the fire and trembled. She did not like confrontation. She rang Joseph and asked him to bring her a small glass of whiskey, to calm her nerves.
*****
Peter closed the curtains in the suit he had booked at London's most expensive hotel, and turned to the beautiful woman standing next to the bed. Charlotte had changed into a nightgown and he into a robe.
''Charlotte, you are beautiful,'' he said as he stepped towards her. Her nightgown was of the thinnest material, and the neckline plunged in a V shape between her breasts. The hem was finished six inches above her knees and the sight of her soft thighs made Peter's manhood stiffen. He took her in his arms and kissed her. As he did so, he ran his hands through her hair.