Stunned by his change in behaviour, she stared at him in the half-light. His hair was still damp. She wanted to stretch a hand out and touch him but she was paralysed, uncertain, wrong-footed, dismayed. Eventually she said, ‘I don’t trust you. I don’t trust you at all. Mrs Shipley-Thomas was right. You are a rude, ill-mannered man with no courtesy or consideration.’
‘Who on earth is Mrs Shipley-Thomas?’
’Never mind. You have treated me in an appalling way and should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. I too am ashamed for letting you put me in this situation.’ She filled her lungs and expelled the air quickly. ‘This is quite literally the most horrible thing that’s happened to me since my father died. Go away and let me go to sleep.’
Douglas was still sitting at the end of the bed. Evie waited for him to get up and leave the room, but he didn’t move. They both sat motionless and silent for more than a minute At first she thought he’d fallen asleep sitting upright.
Suddenly he got up and moved around to the other side of the bed. He sat down on the edge, closer to where she was.
‘Here’s the situation as I see it. This morning we were both prepared to go into this marriage with our eyes open. We were both prepared to take the risk. Then Veronica Leighton comes along and throws a party, knowing bloody well it is the last thing on earth I want. According to Arthur you got caught up in her little coven of bitches and heard some things you didn’t want to hear and which were almost certainly all untrue. This kind of thing is exactly why I didn’t want a wedding party. If I could kill that woman I’d happily do it. I tolerate her only because Arthur, who is the only truly decent person I know, is lumbered with her. Since neither you nor I has any time for the woman, why are we letting her ruin our marriage before it’s even started?’
‘Veronica Leighton is not the reason I’m leaving. You are.’
‘Fair enough. And I’ve apologised. But she is the reason I behaved the way I did today.’
Evie’s patience was wearing thin. ‘For heaven’s sake. She threw a party you didn’t want to go to. That’s no reason to dump me among a bunch of strangers then send me home alone. That’s no reason for you not being able to stand the sight of me enough to have dinner on a single occasion since I’ve been in this godforsaken country.’
He sighed. ‘You’re right. When you put it like that. I’m sorry, Evelyn. I’ve behaved badly to you.’
She couldn’t help snapping back at him. ‘And call me Evie. No one’s called me Evelyn since my mother.’
Recognising the accusation he’d made himself the evening they’d met, he smiled. It broke the tension and she found herself smiling too. He reached a hand out and touched her arm, taking her hand in his. ‘Give me a chance, Evie. Forgive me. I’ll try to make things right between us.’
Evie was uncertain. Still bruised from what had happened, she wasn’t ready to trust Douglas.
‘I don’t know. When we talked that first night I thought we’d got things straight but it seems we hadn’t. I can’t cope with a marriage where my husband won’t even eat with me.’
He shook his head. ‘What more can I say? I’m sorry. I’m not great company. I don’t like small talk.’ He sighed. ‘Look. I’m going to be as straight as I can. I married for love the first time. Maybe this time round if it’s on a more practical footing we may just make a go of it. I can’t love you, Evie. But I can be civil to you. I’m not a great conversationalist but if you don’t mind long silences I’ll sit down and have dinner with you whenever I’m here in George Town. I don’t–‘
‘What do you mean whenever you’re in George Town?’
‘I’m a planter. That’s where I’ll be most of the time.’
‘But I’ll be there too.’
‘No.’
She shook her head, mystified. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You’ll live here. You and Jasmine. Not at the estate.’
‘Why not?’
‘It’s a rough and ready place. A place of work. It’s not comfortable. You wouldn’t like it.’
‘I should be the judge of that. I’m very adaptable. Luxurious surroundings aren’t important to me. Besides we can make it more comfortable. I can help make it a home.’
He raised both hands, palms towards her. ‘No. That’s not up for discussion. I don’t want either you or Jasmine there. Far better that you stay here. I promise I’ll come to George Town at least once every two weeks – I have business to deal with here anyway. And Jasmine needs to be at school. I’ve decided she’s not going back to the nuns. She can stay with you and go to school here in Penang. It will do her good to spend time with you. She needs a woman to care for her.’ He paused, before adding, ‘She needs a mother.’
‘Jasmine won’t even speak to me.’
‘She will. Once she gets used to you. That will happen sooner if I’m not around.’
‘But–’
‘No buts. That’s the deal, Evie.’
She felt numb. What should she do? It was a strange kind of marriage if they were to spend most of their time apart. And he was such a cold person. So indifferent to her feelings. Yet returning to England would be an admission of failure. There was nothing there for her to go back to. And maybe, given time, Douglas might start to feel differently about her. Once they knew each other better. He might even become fond of her if she made herself useful to him – indispensable. And in particular if she could give him the son he wanted.
‘But when you wrote to me you said you wanted a companion.’
‘I do. I need you to care for Jasmine and be here when I return. From time
