Chapter 43

Later:

"Can I ask you, something Master? Richard?"

He looks at me. I only ever call him 'Richard' when we are in company. In private, between us, he is always 'Master'.

"One of those questions, eh?" he says. "Go on then. But I'm not promising an answer."

"Why didn't you marry Adele? She's so beautiful, and obviously more experienced with life. Why did you ask me and not her?"

He looks away, clearly taking the time to choose his words. "She is beautiful, yes, and you're right. In some ways, she is more obviously 'wifely' material for me, but there was something about her that, as I came to know her well, it.... well, it repelled me. There is a coldness about her. Beautiful; yes, she is, but beautiful like a statue. You are so much more alive than she. There were other things too.

"Such as?"

"Well, for a start, she was too obviously after the money."

"What makes you think I'm not interested in the money?"

He laughs. "You'd be foolish to not be at least a bit interested