Undine -

Chapter 23

SOPHIE glanced the length of the ebony dining table, taking in the fact that there were only two place settings. Elizabeth, unfolding her napkin, peered at Sophie bemusedly.

'What are you waiting for? Sit down.'

Sophie picked up her fork and began to toy with the smoked salmon entree.

'Are you sickening for something?' Elizabeth enquired, glancing pointedly at Michael's empty seat. 'Or is that a stupid question?'

'I thought there might be three to dinner.'

'Yes, well, Michael won't be back until tomorrow evening.'

'I don't mean Michael. I mean Serena.'

'Serena?'

'I presumed she was staying overnight, although she did say it was only a fleeting visit.'

Elizabeth threw down her napkin. 'What are you talking about?'

'Serena. Michael's cousin. I met her at the lakeside about an hour ago.'

Elizabeth raised both eyebrows in surprise, and Sophie's heart sank. She knew what was coming next and wondered if preparation for the question might arm her sufficiently to fool Elizabeth.

'What did Serena have to say for herself?'

'Nothing pleasant.'

Elizabeth smiled grimly. 'No change there then.'

'I think she was looking for Michael.'

'No doubt. Do you speak to her for long?'

'No. I presume she's hasn't been to see you.'

'Your presumptions are correct.'

'I'm sorry, Elizabeth, but I'm afraid I don't like her.'

Elizabeth nodded, taking up her napkin again. She cut a slice of smoked salmon, squeezed a lemon wedge over it. 'I'm surprised Michael tolerates her.'

'Why does he?'

'Because they grew up together. Were expected to marry at one stage.'

Sophie asked the next question mechanically, as though it were expected of her. 'What happened?'

Elizabeth chewed her food methodically, swallowed before answering. 'I did.'

Sophie, dropping her eyes to her plate and in an effort to hide her discomfiture, began to eat. As she sliced into her salmon, Elizabeth eyes sliced into her psyche.

'She did tell you about Michael and I, didn't she?' Elizabeth asked at length. 'About my corrupting influence and unhealthy obsession?'

'It's none of my business.'

'You're embarrassed, and I'm sorry for it. Serena will go to any lengths to besmirch my relationship with Michael. She blames me, you see, for not letting go of him, for keeping him here at Fern Deane. But he's here by choice, I assure you, and not because I trap him here with my age and frailties.'

'I don't think she meant what she said, Elizabeth. She was just...being Serena.'

'Oh, she meant it, my dear. She wouldn't be Serena if she didn't.'

'Did you try to stop the wedding?'

Elizabeth placed her knife and fork together at the centre of the plate, then patted her lips with her napkin. She leaned forwards, both elbows on the table, stared intently at Sophie. 'Michael never loved her, and he never will. Not in that way, not enough to give all of himself. I know him. I know him down to his bones. That's what rankles Serena - that and the fact that you are here.'