Blood Stones by Evelyn Anthony Page A

June. And since. I don’t know what to do. You never had any trouble.’
    â€˜No,’ her mother agreed. ‘Poor Nick was a honeymoon baby. You came along three years later, just as planned. But you’ll never hit the bull’s-eye if you keep worrying. Everyone’s told you that.’
    â€˜I know,’ she said miserably. ‘But I can’t help it. I know how much Jamie wants a family. And he’s so good about it.’
    â€˜Well so he should be!’ Jill said sharply. ‘It’s just as likely his fault.’
    â€˜Mum,’ Elizabeth warned, and her mother shrugged.
    â€˜I wasn’t criticizing. Look, Lizzie, that’ll come. Just try not to concentrate on it so much. It screws up everything inside. Apart from the bloody pregnancy business, you’re happy?’
    â€˜I’m very happy,’ Elizabeth said simply. ‘I love him and he loves me. He’s so good to me about everything. I wish you’d believe that. After all, it’s five years.’
    â€˜I know.’ Jill Fairfax finished her wine. ‘It’s just that you’re such different people. We always liked him—’
    â€˜No you didn’t,’ Elizabeth interrupted. ‘And you said so. You wanted me to marry someone like Pop and live in a nice house in Somerset and breed dogs. I’m not like you, Mum. I love our life here, and Jamie’s the most exciting man I’ve ever met. Or ever will. We have everything in common and he spoils me rotten. So no more nonsense, please?’
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ her mother said. ‘I worry about you, that’s all. You come down once in a blue moon, and it’s such a hassle getting up here for us … I’m sorry,’ she said again. ‘It’s just that after we lost Nick, we clung on to you a bit too much …’
    Her eyes filmed for a moment. Elizabeth reached over and held her hand. ‘Mum,’ she said. ‘Mum darling, don’t … It’s all right. I understand. That’s another reason I want a baby. For you and Pop. You’d love a grandchild, wouldn’t you? It might make up a little bit … I didn’t mean to snap, but Jamie’s a really wonderful husband. You’ve nothing to worry about. We’re happier than we’ve ever been. Truly. I’m the one that gets moody. It’s quite hard on him sometimes.’
    Jill Fairfax smiled. ‘I’m sure it is. When you sulked as a child, the whole household was upset. Now, darling, changing the subject. Prue Langham has left her husband. Run off with a local farmer. Can you imagine the gossip? We’re absolutely riveted, of course.’
    Elizabeth slipped easily into the talk about people she knew and had grown up with, while a corner of her mind recognized how bored James would have been, not knowing anyone. One of the reasons why he resisted going down for weekends to stay with her family was not just boredom, but the feeling he was left out when they were all together; her aunt and uncle were half an hour’s drive away, with married children and grandchildren. The Fairfaxes tended to gather like a tribe, immersed in local gossip and mutual friends. Generalities were not discussed. World affairs, politics, business – God forbid business – such topics were touched on briefly, if at all, and quickly changed to something comfortable like the price of land, or the difficulties of the Hunt in coping with the antis. Elizabeth had seen him withdraw, and sensed his discomfort. It pained her because she loved them all and she was part of them. But much more part of him. On her own initiative she cut down on the visits to her home.
    She looked up and interrupted her mother in full flow. ‘Oh … that’s Valerie Kruger … sitting down over there in the corner table.’
    â€˜Valerie who? Do I know her?’
    â€˜No, she’s the wife of one of D.E.’s