The blood appeared to drain somewhat from Ben’s face as he looked at something over Eric’s shoulder. Eric turned. There stood his wife, witness to his tirade. She had tears in her eyes ready to spill over onto her beautiful cheeks. It was for the best. He walked to her and took her hands in his, they were trembling. Eric realized then what he already suspected, and Ben had just pointed out, she was in love with him.
“You knew how it was to be Eva when you agreed to marry me.” She smiled, “Yes, I knew.” She wiped her own tears away.
“I just forgot my reticule in the carriage would you get it for me?”
“Of course.” She stood stoically as he walked off to gather her belongings from the carriage.
Ben watched her sympathetically, but did not intrude. Eric returned and handed her, her things.
“Thank you Eric.” She walked away.
Eva stopped in an alcove, she was still stunned by the fierceness with which her husband had denied loving her and stated he would never love her; but those statements did not come close to injuring her as his comment basically referring to her as his whore. She felt a sharp ache in her chest. How could she feel such emotion for him and he feel so very little for her.
Eva rejoined the ladies once she had regained her composure. The day went by too quickly. She was not ready to face Eric yet, but dinner was being served. Luckily she was sat between Ben and his mother. Eric was a few seats down. After dinner, instead of going along with the ladies to the sitting room she walked outside to the Garden for some air. She needed to think about how she was going to continue in her marriage. Was she going to accept the status quo or was she going to love him and do everything in her power to make him fall in love with her.
“The breeze is wonderful tonight.” It was Ben.
“Yes it is.”
“I am sorry you had to hear what Eric said, you should know the context in which it was said. I was teasing him, saying he was in love with you. He was angry with me and lashed out at me.”
“He meant every word.” she said.
“Eva, Eric does not understand love the way most people do. His parent’s relationship turned him against love, but what his parents shared, was not love. Oh his father loved his mother desperately at first I believe, but she never loved him in return, so he then became obsessed with trying to please her and trying to make her love him. His quest tore them all apart.”
“It is so odd that you should put it in such a way. I was just standing here wondering if I was going to accept Eric’s feelings as they are or whether I was going to do everything in my power to make him love me.”
He took her hand in his, “Eva, I have known Eric all my life and I know he is falling in love with you.” She smiled and accepted his word, she only wished it were true.
