Chapter 51 - A Night to Remember:

"Hello my darlings! Welcome to Foxton Manor!" Cecilia gushed as the Porters arrived at the Foxtons' country manor. The servants were all lined up in the grand entrance hall, all impeccably dressed in their black and white uniforms.

"Cecilia," Jane smiled as the two friends embraced, "you are looking well."

"Likewise and it's so good to see you Tarzan, Professor. I hope that the journey wasn't too taxing?"

"Oh no," Archimedes reassured her, "the views were rather splendid on the train."

"Thank you indeed for inviting for us," Tarzan smiled politely and Cecilia beamed with pride.

"I apologise for Charlie not being here to greet you but he is down in the wine cellar, picking out the wines for the dinner party tonight. He likes to choose them himself. Parker, will you please have the Porters' luggage sent to their rooms please? I have allocated you some lovely rooms in the East Wing."

"Of course my Lady," the butler nodded and the servants left the entrance hall, going about their assigned duties.

"So let me give you all the grand tour," Cecilia took Jane's hand and placed it in the crook of her elbow. "The other guests will be arriving later today so we have some time before the masses arrive!"

Cecilia guided them around the beautifully decorated manor, every room filled with elegant furniture and many portraits of the Foxtons' ancestors.

"My my Cecilia!" Archimedes said as he admired the brocade drapes of one of the drawing rooms. "This is a wonderful abode to say the least. You certainly have excellent taste in décor."

"Oh Professor you are too kind," Cecilia smiled demurely, "Charlie's family has had Foxton Hall since the early 18th century but it is actually my husband who is charge of the decorating. I swear he will want to start over again once he realises that nothing goes with the new napkin rings!"

Everyone laughed at Cecilia's witty remark and she continued showing the Porters the rest of the manor house.

"So before the luncheon, we will have some shooting. Imperative to get the appetites going before we eat," Cecilia laughed her merry laugh and Tarzan's eyes narrowed in irritation.

"I'm sorry Cecilia but Jane and myself will be unable to attend the shooting party. You are aware that we don't agree in using guns to kill animals for sport."

"Oh no Tarzan please, you misunderstand me," Cecilia immediately replied, looking taken aback at his firm tone and stern face. "We will not be shooting any animals I promise. We will be shooting a clay disc that is flung into the air. Parker!" she called out and the butler entered the room, "Please bring one of the clay pigeon shooting discs."

Parker nodded and a few moments later he returned with a black clay disc. Cecilia handed it to him and Tarzan inspected it cautiously.

"I thought it would be a good alternative," Cecilia added apprehensively, "the other guests would be entertained but no animals will be harmed. Everyone is a winner."

"Ah Cecilia my darling!" Charlie entered the room and came over to greet his guests. He was immaculately dressed in an elegantly tailored 3-piece tweed suit and perfectly coiffed hair. He kissed his wife affectionately on both cheeks but then noticed her anxious face. "Is everything alright Cee?" he asked and Tarzan stepped forward.

"Cecilia was just explaining to me about the shooting," Tarzan explained, "about how you are planning to shoot these discs instead of animals. I have no problem with this sport now that I know no animals are being needlessly harmed."

"Oh Tarzan my friend that is excellent news!" Charlie beamed and Cecilia couldn't help looking relieved, "Professor, Tarzan please allow me to show you my collection of fossils which I am sure that you will be interested in perusing."

"Sorry about that," Jane said once the men had left the room, "But my husband is a very principled man, especially when it comes to animals."

"Oh that's quite alright," Cecilia replied, "There are a lot of unprincipled men in the world Jane, so your husband is very refreshing. No wonder the King enjoys his company at court."

"Yes King Edward has indeed taken a shining to him. So when are Francesca and Giuseppe arriving?"

"Oh Francesca is already here. She is lying down in her room as she suffering from one of her migraines but she should be alright for the dinner."

"Gosh you and Francesca are always together, like two peas in a pod!" Jane quipped but she couldn't feeling a little jealous. Cecilia and Francesca practically lived in each other's pockets. They were always together at court and Francesca was practically a permanent houseguest at Cecilia's home in London. Not that Jane didn't like Francesca, she found to be very intelligent and vivacious but she still couldn't help feeling little pangs of jealousy at seeing their close friendship.

"Yes I can't shake her off!" Cecilia joked before patting Jane's shoulder, "don't worry Jane dear, you are still my dearest friend and always be. Come, you can help me choose what to wear for dinner tonight."

"Do I look alright?" Tarzan asked Jane after the valet finished dressing him and had left the room.

"Ummm," Jane scanned her husband up and down with a mock concerned look on her face but then broke into a serene smile, "handsome as ever. You look superb."

"I still can't get used to these starched collars and shirts," Tarzan walked over to the dressing table to where his wife was sitting at and looked at his reflection. "I feel awkward, like an animal out of its habitat."

"You and me both," Jane replied as she sprayed herself with some perfume, "but one must adapt I suppose."

"Well I must admit I do like these dresses that you get to wear now," Tarzan stroked his hand over the lace fabric of her dress, across her shoulder and then let the back of his hand lightly stroke her décolletage.

"Tarzan," Jane felt her cheeks flush as he bent down and start caressing the crook of her neck. She knew what he was doing, it was one of her most favourite places to be touched and he nearly always kissed her there when he wanted to make love.

"Jane," he whispered huskily, enjoying the scent of her perfume.

"Not now, we need to go down to dinner any minute now."

"Surely we can miss a course or two." Tarzan kissed the skin behind her ear whilst his fingers lightly stroked the back of her neck and he felt her shudder with desire.

"Later, after dinner I promise."

Tarzan stopped caressing her neck and Jane turned round and gave him an apologetic smile. She kissed him tenderly on the lips to show him that it was not a lack of desire as to why she spurned his advances. Tarzan thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness of her lips and the fact that he found his wife as attractive, in fact more attractive after many years of marriage.

"To dinner Madame," Tarzan held out his elbow which Jane took happily and they headed down to dinner, both of them more than eager to get back up to their room and continue what they had started.

Jane was glad that she had decided to take the black and cream lace dress as Cecilia decided to wear an emerald green velvet dress and she indeed dazzled in the gem toned colour. Dinner was an extravagant affair, course after course and the guests being plied with the finest wines. Tarzan was nervous at first but sure enough he relaxed and was happily chatting with Giuseppe Maggolini and some other men at the table.

"My brother is still wanting to do that portrait of Tarzan," Francesca joked with Jane. "Let me know if he starts pestering him which he will do once he has had too much wine!"

"Well maybe not the jungle scene he wants but I am considering a more formal family portrait," Jane replied as she watched her husband laughing across the table. He looked so handsome and she couldn't wait to be alone with him.

After the dessert course was finished with, Charlie stood up at the head of the table and lightly tapped his wine glass with his knife and the guests quietened down as he prepared to make a speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, my dear friends. I want to thank you for all coming and celebrating my birthday."

"Happy Birthday!" the guests all chorused raucously and Charlie grinned before continuing with his speech.

"But most of all I would like to thank my dear wife Cecilia. She has organised the most wonderful party and I am sure that the rest of the weekend will follow suit. So please raise your glasses and make a toast to my dear wife."

"To the Viscountess!" everyone chorused and Cecilia blushed at the praise.

"Now friends always ask me what my wife gets me for my birthday," Charlie continued, "after all I am a man of great means and it can be hard for her to find something that I do not have. However, my wife has given me the best present a man can ever ask for."

Everyone immediately clocked to what Charlie was referring to and there were gasps of excitement around the table.

"Congratulations to the Viscount and Viscountess!" Lord Tollemache called out jovially. Everyone followed suit and toasted to the announcement of Cecilia's latest pregnancy.

As Jane lowered her glass, she noticed for a split second Francesca looking highly distressed as if she had been stabbed in the heart. But quickly a wide smile was plastered across her face and Jane felt that maybe she was just imagining it.

"I didn't know that you were trying for another baby," Jane said to Cecilia as the guests were ushered into the ballroom for dancing.

"It's early days, I would have wanted to keep it quiet for a little longer but Charlie couldn't hold his tongue it seems."

"Well congratulations Cecilia," Jane hugged her friend tightly, "I wish you all the best with the rest of your pregnancy. Are you feeling queasy at all?"

"None so far, I had a little morning sickness with the boys so maybe this time I will be having a girl."

"I don't know, I had nothing with Annabelle and then chronic morning sickness with William. I don't think that there are really any set rules or symptoms for which gender you are expecting."

"Well I really do hope that I am having a girl," Cecilia looked down at her belly with longing in her face. "I love my sons don't get me wrong Jane, but sometimes it is lonesome being the only woman in a big house. I have always wanted a daughter and it was meeting your Annabelle that made me determined to have another child, to try for a girl before it was too late."

"Well Tarzan and I wish you all the best and that you get the outcome you want," Jane said and the friends hugged again.

"Thank you Jane, you are a true friend. Right, if you excuse me I'd better go and mingle with the other guests." Cecilia left Jane and went to talk to the other guests inside the ballroom. Jane watched her talking with a group of guests, she was so graceful like a social butterfly that she was always was even when they were little.

"It's wonderful news isn't it?" Jane said as Francesca walked past her on her way to the ballroom.

"What is?" Francesca replied slightly confused and then shook her head in comprehension. "Oh yes, the baby. Yes it's what Cecilia and Charlie have always wanted. A happy, fairy tale ending."

"Are you alright Francesca?" Jane asked as she noticed the sadness flit in Francesca's eyes as they watch Cecilia dance with Charlie across the dance-floor, waltzing so elegantly that it looked as if they were dancing on clouds.

"Oh I'm fine Jane….it's just… it's a shame that we cannot all have a fairy tale ending." Francesca sniffed before hastily downing the dregs of her champagne. She left Jane standing outside the entrance to the ballroom, thoroughly confused as to what just transpired.

"Are you alright my dear?" Tarzan asked after he and Jane had finished dancing their sixth dance.

"I'm feeling a little lightheaded," Jane admitted as she felt her head begin to swim. "That champagne has gone straight to my head. I am going to go for a little lie down and clear my head."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it would be rude if we both left. I will come back in a bit."

"Don't be too long, if Lord Torrington starts talking to me about tax reform then I think I would die of sheer boredom!"

"I'll rescue you, I promise," Jane giggled and kissed her husband's cheek before quietly slipping out of the ballroom, hopefully none of the other guests noticing her untimely absence.

As she wandered down the many corridors, Jane felt her head becoming fuzzy as if it was underwater and she had no idea where she was in this labyrinth of a manor house. She opened the nearest door and found herself in what seemed to be a private library, dark and quiet with hundreds of books as solitary companions.

She could make out the shape of a chaise lounge and she decided that it would not be a bad idea to lie down on it for a few moments and rest her tipsy head. As she laid down on the chaise lounge she found a blanket and pulled it over herself for warmth. She felt her eyelids flutter and sure enough she was fast asleep amongst the great authors and poets.

"Cesca, Cesca please," Jane slowly woke up to hushed, anxious voices and the sound of the library door opening and closing rather hastily. She was about to sit up but recognised the voices and the fabric of the gowns. It was Cecilia and Francesca and for some reason, she didn't know why but she hid under the blanket leaving a gap for her peek out.

"I have nothing to say to you Cecilia," Francesca replied tersely as Cecilia lit an electric desk lamp so that the library was not completely veiled in darkness, but dark enough for what seemed an inauspicious conservation.

"I was planning to tell you Cesca, I promise. God, Charlie has such a big mouth!"

"I felt like such a fool! Him telling everyone and me being completely clueless! I didn't think you were even trying for another child."

"You knew that I wanted a girl, you always knew that I wanted a little girl."

"I hate the thought of you…lying with him. It kills me when you are with him, on his arm, dancing with him." Francesca almost choked on the words and turned away from Cecilia as she tried to stop herself from crying.

"It wasn't exactly a picnic for me either!" Cecilia snapped but she sighed and turned Francesca around to face her. "It's what I had to do, what we both had to do. There was no other way and it won't happen again. It's the last time that I will lie with him, I swear."

"Really?" Francesca replied, looking up at Cecilia with tears in her eyes. "You promise me that you wouldn't try again after the twins."

"I know but I wanted to try for a girl... before I cannot have any more children."

"I'm just so… scared," Francesca admitted and Cecilia looked as if she was about to cry too.

"Nothing will happen," Cecilia tried to reassure her and placed Francesca's trembling hands on her belly, "I'll be fine."

"You almost died when you had Harry and Teddy."

"I know but nothing bad will happen this time. She will have her middle name after you and you will be her godmother."

"Godmother!" Francesca scoffed, "Or a benign aunt perhaps!"

"You will be her mother," Cecilia's voice was filled with desperation. "Just as much as me, just like you are with the boys. Please Cesca, don't do this, don't throw all of this away. It's too precious, too good to throw away after so many years of happiness."

"But it will never be just us, there will always be three of us in this marriage."

"I know, but this is the best that we are ever going to get. We have always known that. Please Cesca, don't leave me. I will die if you do. You are the reason that I am still breathing, you brought me back to life."

"Cara mia… I could never leave you." Francesca edged closer to Cecilia and stroked her cheek with her hand. "Ti amo."

"Ti amo," Cecilia whispered as she slipped into Francesca's arms and her lips softly caressed Francesca's trembling mouth. Francesca wrapped her arms around Cecilia's waist and pulled her in closer, their lips melding together in a long passionate caress.

"Cecilia!" a gasp of a voice sounded out in the quiet library and the two lovers immediately stopped and turned to see Jane laying on the chaise lounge, her eyes wide in horror at witnessing their illicit kiss.

"I, I can't deal with this!" Francesca stammered and dashed out of the library before Cecilia could stop her whilst Jane's head whirred with this devastating news.

"Jane, please I can explain," Cecilia begged as Jane staggered to her feet.

"I have to go, go to my husband," Jane stammered and as she walked towards the door Cecilia dashed out in front of her and slammed the door shut, blocking her path.

"Jane, I'm not letting you go until I explain."

"How could you Cecilia!" Jane demanded furiously, all of the anger rushing out of her like a swollen river breaking through a dam. "How could you do that to Charlie!"

"It's alright Jane."

"Alright! It's adultery! He is a good man Cecilia, a kind husband and father and you go and betray him with Francesca… a woman of all people! Now get out of my way!" Jane headed towards the door but Cecilia caught her in her arms. Jane fought against her but Cecilia's grip was strong for her slender frame.

"Let me go!" Jane demanded as Cecilia tried moving her away from the door, "Let me go!"

"Jane! Charlie knows!" Cecilia cried out and at that the very moment Jane stopped fighting as if a huge wave had just tumbled over her.

"He knows?!"

"Yes," Cecilia sighed as she let go of her friend, "Charlie has known about Cesca and me for years."

"He lets you have this sordid affair and he is perfectly fine with it!"

"Charlie understands," Cecilia took a deep breath, "he understands how I feel."

"Understands?!"

"He possesss the same feelings for…men as I do for women...he is a homosexual Jane, like me."

"Homosexual?" Jane's eyes widened at the word as she turned around and plonked down on the chaise lounge before her legs gave way. It didn't make sense, none of it made sense. Charlie and Cecilia seemed like the perfect couple, a loving and affectionate man and wife with no troubles in the world.

"Charlie told me about his inclinations not long after we started courting," Cecilia sat down beside her friend like a parishioner confessing to a priest. "I then told him that I felt the same and we then agreed to have a lavender marriage."

"A lavender what?"

"A marriage of convenience where both or one of the partners is homosexual. We agreed that I would be his wife in order to stop society from suspecting otherwise. Come on Jane, I couldn't spend my life as a spinster and at least I am not married to a man who is unaware of my inclinations, trapped in a cruel and loveless marriage. Charlie is kind, he treats me well and provides me with a substantial allowance. What more could a woman like me ask for?"

"But, you, you have children," Jane stammered as she struggled to take in this earth shattering news.

"Yes," Cecilia nodded, "I have always wanted children and Charlie needed an heir. So we got bladdered on port and brandy and somehow we managed to conceive Percy. We thought that would put everyone at bay but then both families were demanding for more sons. Spares as well as an heir they said. So we got drunk again and conceived the twins. We thought that would be the end of it but I was so desperate to have a girl that Charlie gave in and we tried one last time."

"Do, do you love him at all?" Jane demanded. She couldn't imagine the thought of making love to a man that she didn't love.

"Of course," Cecilia nodded adamantly, "I love him with all my heart. He is my dearest companion and confidant. He's witty, he's charming and we have so much in common but I love him like a brother Jane and he loves me like a sister. We will always have each other's backs and we have our own lovers as long as we are both discreet. Charlie is a complete philander and is always breaking some young man's heart. I have been with Cesca for nearly 8 years. I love her Jane, just like you love Tarzan."

"It's not the same," Jane shook her head furiously at that suggestion. Nothing could compare to her love for her husband.

"I know that you don't understand, and you probably never will," Cecilia sighed sadly, "but I do love Cesca, far more than you could ever know Jane."

"I have to go," Jane went to get up but Cecilia grasped her hand. She couldn't bear to hear any more of this, more of these sordid details.

"Jane, you mustn't tell a soul, not even Tarzan," Cecilia begged. "If a single word of this gets out, Charlie will be arrested and be sent to prison. His political career will be over, we would both be ruined. Charlie is one of the few MPs that supports women's suffrage. If he is found to be a homosexual, his enemies will use this to hold back the movement for decades. Jane, homosexuality may not be accepted, not now, not for the foreseeable future but women's right to vote may be accepted soon. Don't you want a world where your daughter, my daughter can have a say in how the country is run? Have a chance to go to university and have a career? Have a life without the need to be tied down to an overbearing husband?"

"Of course I do," Jane conceded and turned to face her friend. "Why, why didn't you tell me Cecilia? I am your best friend, why didn't you tell me?"

"How could I Jane? I know that you come from a forward thinking family but I still thought that you would disown me like my own family if they found out. Please Jane I beg you, don't say anything."

"I have to go Cecilia," Jane pulled her hand out of Cecilia's grip and headed towards the door, "Tarzan will be wondering where I am."

"We all have secrets," Cecilia stood up and looked at her friend dead in the eye. "I have kept yours Jane and they are just as scandalous. The very least you can do is keep mine."

The two friends stared at each other, Jane's heart beating fast. Cecilia knew all about her past and even helped her in committing her indecent actions. Jane knew that Cecilia would never spill her secrets, but she couldn't risk any chance of her husband finding out.

"I won't tell anyone Cecilia, I promise."

"Thank you Jane," Cecilia replied, the relief on her face clearly evident. Jane turned around and slipped out of the library, both of the women's skeletons firmly locked away, for now.