A Taste of Honey

by Iris Leach

  He looked up at her. “Did you say something?”

  “More salad?”

  “No, no thanks,” he said, looking across at Charli. “I want you to read this manuscript.”

  She reached for the proffered sheets, thrilled that he was asking her opinion. “Do you think it has promise?”

  “It looks good.”

  “What genre?”

  “A murder mystery. One of the best I’ve read for a while. You’ll never guess who dunnit.”

  “I don’t know, I’m a whiz at picking the murderer. Agatha Christie fan from way back.”

  He smiled. “Don’t read it now — over the weekend will be fine.”

  “I’m anxious to read it now. I’ll start it later in bed.”

  “Up to you.”

  “Coffee?”

  He stood up and came to her side. “Let’s have coffee in the lounge. I’ll light a fire and we’ll have a brandy.” He laughed softly. “I’ll have a brandy, you can have a lemonade.”

  A warm glow spread through her as she followed him into the lounge. She loved this time with him. Just the two of them. Let’s play house. All she wanted to complete the perfect picture would be your bed or mine. Don’t kid yourself. This was a complete sham. Two people each playing a specific role. Will the perfect loving husband, and she the devoted wife. She wondered how long they could put up the pretense and what would happen when it all tumbled down around them.

  How would they pick up the pieces?

  Will lit the fire and she sat in an oversized lounge chair. He stood in front of the roaring, open fire, one elbow resting on the mantelpiece. “I’d like to invite our parents next weekend.”

  “Do you think your mother would want to come?”

  “You still don’t feel comfortable with her?”

  “To the contrary,” she lied. “I’ll look forward to the weekend.”

  Unexpectedly, he moved from his place by the fire and came to her side. He reached down and laced his fingers through hers, warm and strong. Pulling her to her feet, his mouth came into contact with hers. Hot and firm. A liquefying rich reaction infused her, drawing her compellingly to him. Her mouth opened under his pressure, and their kiss deepened to a romantic touch of tongues.

  She arched to him with a little moan of hunger.

  “Want to come to bed?”

  He was a sensual man and needed sex; she wanted their marriage to be as normal as possible; besides, her need for him was forever within her and she wasn’t strong enough to ignore it.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  A wife’s proper role is to love, honor, and obey her husband, as her marriage vows stated. A wife’s place in the family hierarchy is secondary to her husband, but far from being considered unimportant, a wife’s duties to tend to her husband and properly raise her children are considered crucial cornerstones of social stability by the Victorians.

  Women seen as falling short of society’s expectations are believed to be deserving of harsh criticism.

  Mrs. Plunkett had prepared a sumptuous meal for their parents. Seafood chowder followed by roast pork loin, scalloped potatoes, and green salad, and the pièce de résistance — a triple-layer chocolate cream cake. The table was grand; the wine chilled. Perfect.

  The biggest surprise came when their parents arrived together. Charli peered outside, one car, her dad’s. Her father had picked up Ester Knight. Interesting. Her father on a date with Will’s mum? They were so opposite in character, the way they lived, the way they thought, and yet it seemed they were attracted to each other. The farmer and the society woman. Good title for a romance.

  She kissed her father’s cheek. “Dad, come in, make yourself at home.” She kissed Ester’s cheek. “Ester, how lovely to see you.”

  Her dad helped Ester with her coat, fussing around her as if she’d lost a limb or two. And when he curled his arm around Ester’s shoulders, Charli knew the truth. They were a couple. They had a thing going on. My God, were they in love? Charli didn’t know whether to be pleased or shaken.

  “Nice place,” her dad said as they followed them into the living room.

  “It belonged to my husband’s brother, Will’s uncle. I’ve always loved it,” Ester explained. “It’s been neglected over the last years.”

  “I don’t know,” her dad said. “Seems to me it’s lived in now, and pretty rightly so.”

  Thanks, Dad.

  “Beer, Steve?” Will asked.

  “Please,” Steve answered.

  “Mum?”

  “White wine, thank you, William.”

  He looked at Charli. “Apple juice?”

  “Lovely,” she said as she took a seat opposite to where her father sat, very, very close to Ester. Charli thought you couldn’t get a playing card between them. She was busting to know what was going on between them but didn’t know how to broach the subject. She couldn’t come right out and say, hey, are you two dating? She’d have to be patient and wait until they broke the news themselves.

  Will handed out the drinks. Her dad took a deep swallow from the can, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said, “We’ve got news.”

  Wow, she certainly didn’t have to wait long. She knew her dad was going to say something spectacular and braced herself for full impact. “News, Dad?”

  Ester giggled like a teenager on her first formal date. Had she heard wrongly? Ester giggling, it didn’t gel.

  Her father placed his beer on a table, placed his arm around Ester’s wide shoulders, squeezed gently, and said, “Shall we tell them, ole girl?”

  Ester looked adoringly, yes that’s the only word to use, adoringly into Steve’s eyes and simpered, “Let’s.”

  “We’re getting married.”

  The liquid spurted from Will’s mouth. “Wha — What?” Charli handed him a napkin and he dabbed at the offending splashes. He swallowed noticeably. “What did you say, Steve?”

  “I said your mum and me are tying the knot.”

  Charli was stunned into immobility. “Married,” she murmured. He could have said murdered for the shock that was trundling through her. Dating, yes. Having a bit of fun together, why not. But marriage? That was the last thing she’d thought, no, wait, she hadn’t thought of that at all.

  “Now don’t go on, children,” Ester said. “You heard correctly. Steven and I are going to be married, and we want you both to be happy for us.”

  “My God, Mum, I didn’t know you knew Steve — um, you know — ” He ran a hand around the back of his neck. “Intimately.”

  “Your mum and me haven’t been parted since the wedding,” Steve said. “We were attracted on first sight; and we went along with it.” He turned and kissed Ester on the mouth. “Didn’t we, ole girl?”

  “We got to talking about the wedding and the arrangements, when we suddenly went off the track,” Ester was saying.

  Oh, my God, please don’t let her go into the intimate details. Charli took a long swallow of juice.

  “Too right,” Steve said. “And the next thing we knew we were talking about our lives, how lonely we were and then — I mean it wasn’t planned or anything, but then — ”

  “I get the picture,” Will said. “You both fell in love.”

  Her dad and Will’s mum? Charli tried to come to terms with the suddenness of it. The mental pictures that were floating through her head of her dad and Ester coming down the aisle. She didn’t know how she truly felt. Pleased or disturbed? It was just so bizarre, that’s all.

  She glanced at the happy couple, at the way her dad was holding Ester’s hand, and it came to her how wonderful it was for both of them. They had found each other and they’d never be lonely or afraid again.

  Joy bubbled through her. She jumped from her seat and squashed herself between her dad and Ester. She threaded an arm around both their shoulders. “This is the most wonderful news ever.” She kissed Ester on the cheek. “You love my dad, and he loves you.” She sent Will the look.
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  He immediately stood and came over to the settee, forcing himself next to Ester. He kissed his mother on the cheek and said, “I couldn’t be happier for you, Mum.”

  “Are you, dear? Are you truly happy for me?”

  He nodded and reaching across took Steve’s hand. “Congratulations, Steve. Got anyone planned for best man?”

  “Yeah, you, you little bugger.”

  “And me for Matron of Honor,” Charli said.

  “I wouldn’t have anyone else,” Ester said squeezing her hand.

  “Do you want me to call you dad?” Will said.

  Steve laughed. “We talked about this, me and Ester, and yes, we’d like very much for you kids to call us mum and dad.”

  Ester took Charli’s hand. “Does it sit well with you, dear?”

  Charli smiled. “Yes, Mum, it surely does.”

  Will stood. “Calls for a celebration. I’ll get champagne.”

  “Mum?” Charli said.

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Do you want me to arrange your wedding? I know a great wedding planner. She planned mine to perfection.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Women are expected to love one man, however it is accepted for men to have multiple partners in their life. If women do have sexual contact with another man, they are seen as ruined or fallen.

  Charli was ten minutes late when she arrived at Belgini’s, one of the most fashionable restaurants in Melbourne. Anyone who was anyone wanted to be seen here.

  Near the front entrance on a hallstand sat a beautiful ceramic vase filled with tall-stemmed irises. The exterior gave little indication of what to expect. When you entered and moved downstairs via a narrow staircase the restaurant dramatically opened out.

  Two beautiful high-ceilinged rooms flowing into one another had a quality of Oriental calm and simplicity. The background details were soft, not intrusive, unadorned windows and double French doors allowed for interesting natural light effects and lead to a delightful eating-out garden.

  Ester was already seated at the table. Charli waved as she weaved her way through the tables. She sat opposite Ester who smiled brightly at her. “Charli, I do declare you look more ravishing every time I see you. How do you do it?”

  Charli smiled back and gave a slight shrug to her shoulders. “It’s Mrs. Plunkett’s cooking. Before her I lived on take-outs, now she fills me full of greens.”

  “Well, whatever she’s doing is right.” She tapped the menu with a brightly colored fingernail. “I ordered watercress soup, followed by a light Scallop and Prawn with Avocado salad.” Ester patted her ample thighs and sighed. “Why I bother to diet I can’t imagine. The weight seems to stick to my hips like glue. Do you have to go back to work?”

  Charli hesitated. She had a lot of work in front of her. She glanced at Ester. “Not really,” she replied.

  Ester eyes lit up and it pleased Charli. “Feel like some shopping after lunch?”

  Charli nodded and took a sip of water.

  “I saw this most divine dress in Eliot’s as I whizzed past. It’s you, I know it’s you, and I insist we go and try it on.”

  Charli had the absurd image of Ester and her both squeezing into one dress and she smiled.

  “How’s my son? Don’t tell me, I know. As grouchy as always I suppose? Exactly like his father, believe me the trouble I had with that man is beyond telling.”

  The waiter placed the soup in front of them. As he moved away Ester caught his sleeve. “Where are the rolls, Andre?”

  “Coming Madam,” he assured her.

  Charli made a pretense of eating her watercress soup. She wasn’t the least bit hungry and eventually gave up trying.

  They chatted about generalities while they waited for their salad. The conversation was pleasant and the atmosphere warm. The waiter placed their salads in front of them.

  Charli had a nice feeling toward her soon-to-be mother. “Mum, I’m pregnant.” Not Mum, pass the salt, or Mum, can I have one of those rolls. Straight out. Go for the jugular.

  Ester had just taken a bite of buttered roll, and crumbs crumbled from the corners of her open mouth. Charli couldn’t work out who was the more shocked, Ester for the learning or Charli for the telling.

  Ester dropped the bread roll. “Pregnant,” she echoed. “Oh, my dear girl, this is too divine. A baby.” She patted her hair. “Although I’m far too young to be a grandmother.”

  “You can develop along with the baby,” Charli said drolly.

  “Your father will be beside himself. He was just saying the other night how much he was looking forward to being a grandfather.” She dabbed her mouth with a napkin, twisted off a piece of bread roll and placed it in her mouth. “How did William take the news of becoming a daddy? He’ll be shouting and hooting to the moon, he’ll be so excited and proud.”

  “He’s very excited. We both are.”

  A warm look passed across the older woman’s face. She reached across the table and pressed her hand on top of Charli’s “I know we haven’t really had time to get to know each other, but I want you to know how much I like you. Oh, I can see by the look on your face that statement surprises you. I admit that I was a little skeptical at first, but only because you were so different from the usual type of woman William took out.”

  “That’s because you love my dad; it’s made you mellow toward me.”

  “No, dear, that’s not it at all.” Ester picked up her fork and stabbed at a slice of ripe tomato. “I’m so glad you married my son and became my daughter,” she said sincerely and a gush of affection raced through Charli.

  “Then I take it that you’re pleased about the baby?”

  “Where is that waiter?” Ester signaled for the dessert menu and Charli waited while Ester studied the menu.

  Charli half-rose in her seat. Ester spoke and she settled down. “Do you want mousse?”

  “No thanks, Mum.”

  “Oh dear, neither should I but I’m a weak woman for anything I like.” She smiled at the waiter. “Chocolate mousse, Andre, with just a dollop of cream.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Knight.”

  “Just a dollop, mind you,” she stressed. Then as the waiter turned to leave she tugged his coat. “Andre.”

  “Yes, Madam?”

  “And a dollop of ice-cream as well and some of those divine chocolate sprinkles.” She turned back to Charli. “What were we talking about?” she said vaguely. “Oh, yes, the baby. I know this delightful seamstress who makes the most wonderful baby layettes — ”

  Charli looked around the restaurant. A back of a head. So familiar. She knew who it was; it was Will. Sitting in a corner far out of sight, with a beautiful blonde.

  A sick sensation washed through her. She couldn’t handle this. She’d never thought him a cheat and a liar.

  Then, when Will rose in his chair, leant over the table, and kissed this beautiful woman full on the mouth, Charli’s heart died.

  Liar. Liar.

  He was having an affair. She wasn’t enough for him. He’d never be satisfied. Never have enough women to ease his ego.

  Of all the things she knew him to be, this wasn’t one of them. It dismayed her that Will was such a rat fink. That he cared for nothing in his life but women and sex. How could she have thought she loved him? Slobbering over his discarded dirty clothes as if they were a shrine to his male beauty. Curling up close to him each night breathing him in as if he were her life’s elixir.

  He’d betrayed her.

  She’d start a new life with her baby. Oh, she knew the velvet cords that tied them could never now be severed, that the baby held them together. Will would want to see his child, but as far as their marriage went, that was definitely over.

  She stared helplessly at his mother scooping mousse into her mouth, still speaking between mouthfuls. Charli could see Ester’s bright red lips moving. Her fingers splaying in the air as she accentuated a point, but she didn’t hear a word Ester said. All she heard was the pounding of her heart
.

  Gullible and in love. A perfect combination for such a beast as William Knight.

  How could she still love him?

  She looked over at the table just as Will stood and took the woman’s hand. Arm in arm they left the restaurant.

  Chapter Nineteen

  During the era symbolized by the reign of Queen Victoria, women did not have suffrage rights, the right to sue, or the right to own property.

  Charli threw clothes into a suitcase. She had to get away. She couldn’t face Will again. Tears burned; she blinked and they fell in torrents. A pain not unlike a knife pierced her heart.

  When she’d first met Will she hadn’t wanted to share her life with him. Now she didn’t want to think of what her life would be like without him. He’d awakened a passion so strong it scared her. He was the only man she would love. She’d given him a part of herself she could never take back. The essential intangible part of her that was vital to her very existence, now it belonged to him. Without him, she was an empty shell. He owned her, body and soul.

  She rummaged through her lingerie drawers, grabbing underwear at random and tossing them unceremoniously into the suitcase. She knew the man she had married. He was stubborn, yes, and he was determined to have his own way, but he was also sweet, kind, and generous and this was the part of Will she’d fallen in love with. She was wrong. Tragically wrong.

  Pull yourself together. You’re falling to pieces and it’s not a pretty sight. You’re not the first woman to fall in love with the wrong man, and you won’t be the last.

  She sat on her bed and twisted a tissue around her trembling fingers. She didn’t care. She would make herself not care. She had her child to think of.

  Maybe she’d buy property not far from her father. She would raise her child where the air was fresh and clean, away from his father’s empire. Away from the fast lane his father always traveled in.

  Ester and her dad had planned to spend six months at each other’s homes, that way pleasing both of them.

  She’d go to Rich River for a few weeks, until she was feeling better inside herself and could make sane decisions about their future.