r of hushed conversations an

ck, but Bea' s revelation, and ou

; we were anomalies, armed with know

ler herself app

avily preg

t of desperation. "Arthur... he promised. He said he' d leave you. For

epth of Arthur' s de

t. How many more secrets, how

. "He won' t even see me now. He says

isgust so profound

rd, leaving this desperate woman to plead his

atron of his expanding brood?" The words were out before I

I don't know what to do.

evelation. Another child, anoth

stening from the hal

to you, just as he has lied to my sister. He will not leave her for you. He will not prov

o cry, silent,

n, used and abandoned, and

compassionate fool. I

p you. But perhaps, in time, I can ensure he meets h

eks, and the address of a women' s shelter

left, I lo

war, Bea. He

ll, velvet box. Inside was the diamond necklac

ng-room where Arthur was wai

hopeful expres

ou reconsidered

the box, took out the necklace

it. The diamonds cr

be the dutiful wife, for now. But know this: I am gathering my own ammunition

shed diamonds, then

strategic. I wo

gineering, so useless in drawing-room

the cusp of massive i

uild things. And ho