But had Hetty guessed that Frank was her lover? There had never been any indication that she did. Lily had no idea what Hetty might have done if she had known, and, as she had no wish to cause Hetty pain, Lily hoped she didn’t. She and Frank had always been discreet, and Frank was forever telling her: “Hetty has no idea.”

Now Hetty poured the tea. She waited until the maid had left the room, however, before she began.

“I asked you to come round, because I need your help,” she said calmly.

“If I can,” said Lily, a little uncertainly.

“I’m worried about Frank,” Hetty continued. She gave Lily a quick look. “Aren’t you?”

“I?”

“Yes,” Hetty said, in a businesslike fashion. “I’m worried about this girl. Have you met her?”

Lily was silent for a moment. “I think you have the advantage of me,” she said cautiously.

“Have I?” Hetty smiled. “I’ve known that you were Frank’s mistress for a long time, you know.”

“Oh,” said Lily. She paused. “How long?”

“Twenty years.”

Lily looked down at her hands. “I don’t know what to say,” she said.

“If it was going to be somebody,” said Hetty, “I suppose I’d just as soon it was you.”

Lily didn’t reply.

“You were quite discreet,” Hetty continued. “I was glad of that.”

Lily still didn’t reply.

“It was partly my fault, I can quite see that now. I drove him away, so he sought comfort elsewhere.” Hetty sighed. “If I had my life again, I’d act differently. It’s hard for a man if he thinks his wife doesn’t respect him.”

“You’re very philosophical.”

“One has to be at my age. Yours too, if you’ll forgive my saying so. In any case, I’d rather be the wife than the mistress.” Lily nodded. “You still have your marriage.”

“Yes. Marriage may not be a perfect state, but it is a protection, especially as we get older. And we are all getting older, my dear.” She glanced at Lily before going on. “I still have my home, my children and grandchildren. And a husband, too. Frank may have strayed, but he is still my husband.” She eyed Lily evenly. “In every way.”

Lily bowed her head. What could she say?

“I was hurt when Frank took a mistress, I won’t deny it, but I’d still rather be me than you. Especially now.”

“Now?”

“This young woman. The one who’s stolen him from you.”

“Oh.”

“What do you know about her?”

“Not a lot.”

“Well, I know a great deal.” She watched Lily for a moment. “Would you like to know?” And when Lily hesitated: “Miss Donna Clipp is a little witch. She’s digging for gold. Not only that—she was prosecuted for theft, in Philadelphia. I have proof.”

“I see.”

“I’ve had a lawyer investigate her. Frank paid for the lawyer, of course, though he doesn’t know it. He thought he was paying for curtains. She cares nothing for him. But she’s after his money.”