Chapter Thirty-Six

July 14, 1902
45 Bard Boulevard, East Veronaville

Goneril could not claim to have any particular fondness for her young maid. She found Christine to be both dull and plain, and after so many years with Albany and those damn children, it might have been nice to have the little house to herself. Nevertheless, she did suppose the girl’s constant presence was preferable to the prospect of having to cook and clean for herself. Better yet, Christine had assumed the duty of answering the door, allowing Goneril to filter through unwanted callers and reserve herself for appointments of a pleasurable or necessary nature–in more cases than not, these were the latter rather than the former.

“Who is it?” Goneril demanded of her servant as she stepped into the parlor.

Christine gave a slight bob of a curtsy. “Your husband, ma’am.”

Goneril’s eyes narrowed; as this call would surely be bothersome, it would have to be at least important before Albany was allowed to set foot in her house. “What does he want?”

“Something about some papers, ma’am.”

Well, in that case, it was about time. “Might as well get this over with, then. Send him in.”

The maid bowed, then turned around and shuffled back to the door. She did not leave her mistress to wait for Albany long.

Her estranged husband’s green eyes darted about as he approached. “Nice enough place for one woman, I suppose–though I take it that Hal isn’t letting you live here out of the charity of his heart?”

“I don’t pay him rent, if that’s what you mean,” Goneril sniffed. “So long as I stay out of his life and those of his sisters, this property is effectively mine–and we both know how small a cost that is.”

“Indeed.”

That was more than enough small talk for Goneril’s liking; the sooner he left, the sooner she could go about her day. “Did you bring the papers?”

Albany nodded. “I gave them to your maid. She took them to the dining room for you to sign. You also require the signature of a witness other than myself–can the girl write?”

Goneril shrugged. “If she cannot, then she had better learn quickly. Lord knows I’ve waited long enough for these papers as it is.”

“You and I both,” he assured her. “Now, I don’t want to spend a minute more than necessary in your presence. I shall wait outside while you sign, then your maid will bring me the papers to take to court.”

She looked him in the eye and felt the corner of her mouth twitch–the closest she ever came to smiling. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, get out of my house.”

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