Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl

join me?”
    “I’m not intruding?”
    “Of course not,” her stepmother laughed, motioning her forward.
    It was still strange to think of her as a mother. Lorelei was only seven years older than Sarah and had been married to Sarah’s father for a mere five months.
    Still, Sarah liked Lorelei. How could she not? Her warm smile bloomed with an ease that bespoke her kindness. Her eyes shone with calm joy. There was no doubt in Sarah’s mind why her father had chosen this new bride after so many years. Sarah couldn’t imagine anyone less inclined to melancholia or instability.
    “We must have you and James over for dinner soon,” Lorelei chattered as she took a seat. “I daresay it’s been two weeks since we’ve seen you.”
    “It’s my fault, of course. I keep meaning to have a small dinner party. I promise to speak with Cook as soon as I get home.”
    Lorelei handed her a cup of tea, already sweetened with two lumps of sugar just as Sarah liked it. “Forgetful? Why, don’t tell me you’re feeling ill in the mornings as well?” Her eyes darted quickly to Sarah’s middle.
    “Oh, no!” she protested. “Not at all.”
    A moment passed. Lorelei’s smile blossomed. Her cheeks went pink. “I am!” she suddenly blurted out. “I mean . . . that is to say that I am feeling unwell in the mornings!”
    “Oh?”
    “We can talk about these things now, can we not? We are both old married women, after all. Oh, Sarah!” Her delighted laugh finally drove home the point that Sarah had missed.
    “You are expecting?” She looked with disbelief at Lorelei’s flat stomach.
    “Yes! I am so happy, and your father as well. And you, Sarah! You will be a sister!”
    “A sister,” she repeated, stunned. Despite her shock, she had to grin, if only in response to Lorelei’s joy. Still, she couldn’t help but reel at the thought that her father and Lorelei had been doing the same kinds of things that Sarah and James had. And if she’d conceived, did this mean that Lorelei enjoyed the marriage bed as well? Sarah blinked and shoved the thought away. It didn’t bear thinking about.
    To hide her shock, she pulled her stepmother into a tight hug. “I am so happy for you.”
    “I have always wanted to be a mother,” she whispered into Sarah’s shoulder. “Always.”
    “You will be wonderful.” And she would be. Nothing like Sarah’s own mother, who had spent so much time in her bed that she’d hardly seemed real.
    Sarah cleared her throat as she sat back and straightened her skirts. “Have you . . . ?” She reached for her tea and took a bracing sip before she tried again. “Has my father ever spoken to you of my mother?”
    Her smile faded into a look of surprise. “Oh, Sarah. I’m so sorry. I did not mean to be insensitive.”
    “Nonsense,” Sarah said immediately. “Your words only brought her to mind. I find I have been thinking of her lately, being newly married. It is quite a change of circumstance.”
    “Oh, it is wonderful, is it not? I thought I should never marry, but your father seemed relieved that I was firmly on the shelf. Silly man.”
    Yes, Sarah’s mother had been seventeen at their marriage, so Lorelei’s age could only have been an asset in his mind.
    “But what was it you wanted to know?” she asked.
    “My father, does he ever speak of her?”
    “No, but you know how quiet he can be. I do know that she died, of course, after a long illness.” She clasped Sarah’s hand. “It must have been so hard for you.”
    “I was only seven. I remember very little,” she lied.
    “Still.” Lorelei sniffed, and wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh, look at me! They say a baby makes you fretful, and I fear it is true. I will ask your father about her, if you like.”
    “No, I don’t wish to distress him.”
    Lorelei nodded. “When he mentioned her illness, he seemed very subdued. I think he must have loved her very much.”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Well, do have a treat,” Lorelei urged,