I knew we would never want for anything.”
“John left Kilmartin in excellent order,” Francesca said quickly.
“Of course he did,” Violet said, patting her hand. “Forgive me. I did not mean to imply otherwise. But you don’t have eight children, Francesca.” Her eyes changed somehow, grew an even deeper blue. “And you’ve quite a lot of time ahead of you to spend it all alone.”
Francesca nodded jerkily. “I know,” she said. “I know. I know, but I can’t quite…I can’t…”
“You can’t what?” Violet asked gently.
“I can’t…” Francesca looked down. She didn’t know why, but for some reason she couldn’t take her eyes off the floor. “I can’t rid myself of the feeling that I’m doing something wrong, that I’m dishonoring John, dishonoring our marriage.”
“John would have wanted you to be happy.”
“I know.
