Chapter 53 Deidre
“I guess sometimes the cliché is true and you do just know ,” Eloise said to Deirdre one late-August evening.
They were setting up for euchre, waiting on Kitty and Paula.
“Like with my parents, and now with Clyde and me. With Gus, there was always some uncertainty, even from the start.”
Deirdre fluffed a pillow and rearranged the cheese platter. She was trying not to intervene, but the secret was tapping on
her chest.
“Every marriage has its own set of challenges,” Deidre said. “For example, how Fred keeps telling me he’s going to retire
but doesn’t. Though, good news, he agreed to test out the transition this fall with Dr. Kentwood, bless his soul.”
“I did hear something about that,” Eloise said coyly.
Deirdre could tell Eloise was trying not to say too much about Georgiana’s “friendship” with Dr. Kentwood. It was a disappointing
regression this summer. They used to have such fun analyzing Georgiana’s every move. Part of the joy, after all, of having
a daughter was getting to gossip. Many mothers weren’t so lucky.
“I never really understood how my dad knew he was going to marry my mom within a few weeks of meeting her,” Eloise said. “But
it makes more sense now.”
Deirdre poured herself a brandy. It wasn’t healthy, Deirdre thought, to go into an engagement with such an idealistic view.
Especially when Eloise and Clyde didn’t know each other that well.
“That’s all very nice,” Deirdre said. “But like I said, all marriages have their challenges.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Eloise said. “Deirdre, do you have concerns about Clyde and me?”
“It’s not that,” Deirdre said, treading cautiously. “I’ve just never heard you wanting to move off the island before. You
love Mackinac more than life itself.”
“Love requires compromises,” Eloise said, though Deirdre detected a waver. “And it’ll be my chance to stretch out of my comfort
zone and see the world.”
“It certainly sounds exciting.” Deirdre felt that she would enjoy Scotland a lot more than Eloise, who would likely be holed
up with books and crosswords and quilts.
Deirdre decided she would let the secret drop. But if Eloise brought up her parents’ marriage one more time, she simply wouldn’t
be able to hold it in any longer.
“We’re thinking a summer wedding on the island next June,” Eloise went on, thumbing her engagement ring. “I won’t wear a proper
wedding dress—that would look silly at my age. I think I’ll wear a sundress, probably with a nice shawl, though maybe I’ll
live on the edge and go without. Georgiana’s gotten me to be more daring about my shoulders.” She laughed breezily. Deirdre
noted enviously how this summer had aged Eloise in reverse. “And I’ll borrow my mother’s wedding pearls for good luck.”
Deirdre was beside herself. “For good luck,” Deirdre said. “That’s a very nice thought.”
She topped off her brandy and fanned her blouse. The heat of summer had broken, but she felt very sweaty.
“Deirdre, what’s going on?” Eloise said. “You’re acting strange. If you don’t approve of my engagement, just say it. Please.
I value your opinion. I know you only ever want what’s best for me.”
Deirdre did not think that was entirely true in the past, but it was true now.
She really did want to see Eloise happy with Clyde.
It helped her believe in second chances.
Not that she was thinking of leaving Fred, of course not.
But there was another area of life where she would like another chance. ..
She tossed those thoughts aside. That secret was hers and hers alone. But the one she was bringing up now—well, that one belonged
to Alice. Deirdre didn’t really have any right to it. But Eloise deserved to know the truth.
“It’s not any concern I have about Clyde,” Deirdre said. “It’s just that I don’t want you idealizing anyone’s marriage too
much when you’re about to embark on your own.”
“Whose marriage am I idealizing?”
“Your parents’.”
Eloise was as defensive as Deirdre had expected. “My parents had a beautiful marriage.”
“They did. A long, beautiful marriage. But not a perfect one.”
“Well, no marriage is perfect,” Eloise said. “But theirs was as close as it could come. Such fidelity, such commitment.”
Deirdre sat on the couch, steadied herself. “There’s something I need to tell you, Eloise.” She felt awful and nervous.
“Deirdre, what’s going on?”
She sat on the couch beside Eloise and took her best friend’s hands in her own. Eloise’s skin wasn’t quite as soft as Deirdre’s.
Deirdre wanted to credit her expensive hand lotion, though she suspected that having a husband around to help with all the
everyday labor was more likely to credit. She felt for Eloise and how she had done so much of life alone. She didn’t want
anyone to leave her friend again. If revealing this information might help remove Eloise’s blinders, might help avoid another
divorce, then so be it.
“As you know, my uncle is Liam Townsend,” Deidre said.
“That’s right. And I know my mother probably slept with him before marrying my father.”
“It’s not just that...” Deirdre almost stopped herself, but she carried on out of a sense of duty that she hoped wasn’t misplaced. “My uncle told me about a time in the early eighties, when your parents were married, when the feelings were reciprocated.”
She watched Eloise’s face tense, her posture pinch. “Go on,” Eloise said.