Proserpina

Lucien was away for a day. He kept calling to check on us and I was aware of Beston hovering around in the house, more than he usually did. I knew that something was happening, but with my work, my children, and the general running of the house, I had too much on my hands to really bother. My pregnancy was also not too smooth. On the day after he left, I woke up feeling queasy and had to stay in bed for longer than I usually did.

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Ria had brought young Philippe to the kitchen for a glass of lemonade. He was a lanky young fellow and...