Master of Comus

Paul flushed darkly. 'No,' he said tightly. 'Not to my knowledge.' His blue eyes flashed an angry question at Leonie.

'We Were talking about a third party,' said Emilie. 'But I have told Leonie our secret, darling.'

Klaus beamed. 'Well, I' m glad to have one excuse for breaking out the cigars and best brandy,' he said delightedly.

'What's this?' Paul looked at Emilie with a smile. 'Do i gather that it's Klaus after all who will make a wonderful father?'

'I hope SO,' Emilie said, laughing. 'He had better! Or I will know the reason why.'

No brandy for you then,' said Paul, nodding.

You see?' Emilie sighed, turning to give Leonie a comical look of disgust. 'It starts at once. If Klaus had his way I would be rolled in cotton wool for the next six months and put in a cupboard.'

'No, darling,' Klaus corrected her. 'In a lovely glass case where I could look at you every day! Like Snow White.'

'It was the seven ugly little dwarfs who put her in the case, Emilie pointed out. 'She had to wait for the Prince to let her out.'

'In our case it is reversed,' said Klaus. 'The Prince will put you in and an ugly little dwarf will arrive to let you out.'

Are you calling my baby an ugly little dwarf?' She was indignant.

'Most babies are,' said Klaus, his teasing barely concealing his joy.

'Not mine,' she said with determination. 'My baby will be exquisite and brilliant.'

'Like me,' Klaus nodded.

She punched him lightly. 'What vanity!'

They all laughed and the evening flowed on in the same happy vein. Emilie's news seemed to give them all a feeling of warm pleasure which cast a glow over the evening.

When they were back in their own flat the sensation remained with them. Paul hummed softly as he made hot chocolate for them both. Leonie turned on the radio and found some soft dance music on a late- night show.

Paul turned and looked at her, his blue eyes veiled by their half-lowered lids.

'Do you ever think of that fellow in England?' he asked her abruptly.

Leonie looked blank. 'What fellow in England?' Then she realised what he meant, and felt herself flush. 'No,' she said quickly.

'You must have been badly in love with him to be so hurt,' Paul said.

'I was naive enough to be taken in by a good line of patter,' she shrugged.

'I remember you once told me I reminded you of him,' Paul said softly, watching her. 'Does that still apply?'

She flushed. 'No. I'm sorry I said it. It wasn't true, of course. I was just…'

'Sticking the knife in?'

'I suppose SO,' she admitted unhappily.

'And you have no secret hankering for him?' Paul asked.

'None at all,' she said firmly.

He moved towards her slowly, his eyes holding hers. Just then the telephone rang. Paul cursed under his breath.

'Who on earth can that be at this hour?' He moved quickly into the next room. The ringing stopped. Leonie heard his voice, curt and peremptory. 'Yes?' Then silence. Then a low exclamation of shocked dismay.