Ellie was delighted when Lord Dillinger and his wife invited them both to come over to Oreton Hall in September. She had not been back there since that summer's day when she and Alfie had disappeared together into the woods, their last day together as lovers. How long ago all that seemed now! She had been so immature and foolish, giving of herself so carelessly - shamelessly even. She would never behave like that now. Sometimes this saddened her but at other times she liked to remember, to re-live the past and feel grateful for those romantic memories. Romance, she decided, had little to do with marriage.
Fred, now he was to be a father, was happy to fulfil her wishes in everything she desired, treating her like some priceless piece of porcelain, which, though pleasurable at times, could
