Chapter 48
Louis and I were strolling the coast road near Plage de la Salis enjoying the sunshine earlier today, when out of the blue he took hold of my hand and held it tightly.
‘Evelyn, I have something to tell you and then I have a suggestion I’d like you to consider.’
I looked at him and watched as he paused, seemingly to gather himself before speaking.
‘Since I’ve been in the navy, I’ve learnt something about myself, that I’ve long suspected if I’m honest.’ There was a silence of several seconds before he said, ‘I’m gay.’
I looked at him surprised, but before I could say anything he was speaking again.
‘My parents are not aware of this. It would break them to know, I think, especially my father. Likewise, your parents will probably be equally upset if you arrive home and tell them you are pregnant by a man you barely knew.’
I sighed. ‘Don’t. I’m dreading telling them.’
‘I have a suggestion that would avoid you doing that. As a journalist, you’ll have heard the phrase “lavender marriage” used about certain celebrity couples.’
I stopped walking and turned to face him. ‘Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting? You and I marry each other to save both our reputations.’
‘Yes.’ Louis nodded. ‘We’ve always been close friends, I think you are fond of me and I do love you in my own way.
I’d be more than happy to marry you and protect you.
Selfishly, it would provide a degree of protection for myself.
I would be a married man with a family, and rest assured I would treat the child as my own.
You know how much I love kids.’ He paused.
‘And I promise you if in a few years’ time, should you meet someone new and fall in love properly we will have an amicable divorce. ’
‘You’d marry me to protect my reputation?’ I asked.
‘Both our reputations would be protected,’ Louis said.
‘If you agree, I think we should take Cole Porter and Linda Lee Thomas as our role models – they had deep emotional ties and were friends throughout their long marriage. Even though their marriage was unconventional and they both took lovers, they always had that friendship at the base of their connection.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘At least think about it. I’m going home next week, as you know.
If you agree, I can prepare the ground, so to speak, with your parents.
Tell them we realised our feelings for each other whilst we were both here in France.
By the time you arrive home, they will doubtless already have our wedding planned. ’ He gave me a tentative smile.
We walked back to the pensione in almost total silence. I was deep in thought and Louis clearly sensed that I was stunned by his suggestion.
He’d been my first sweetheart and I knew both families would accept we were in love without question.
Our parents had never hidden their thoughts about us being the perfect couple.
But a lavender marriage was really only a marriage in name and made solely to satisfy the morals of an unforgiving society looking on.
For the two people involved, it had to be more of a mutual understanding, a one hundred per cent acceptance of the arrangement, and total commitment to making it work.
Was it truly something I could accept – and, more importantly, live with for years to come?
Present a united front to the world that was a total sham.
But I have to admit I was tempted. And there was Louis’s promise that in a few years we could, if necessary, divorce, with both our reputations intact.
The baby I am carrying would be welcomed and loved by two families, and I would not be shunned as a fallen woman.
I will do what Louis asked, though, and think through all the pros and cons carefully.
* * *
Evie closed the journal, stunned. She definitely hadn’t seen that coming.
There was only one journal entry left. There was no way she could wait to read it. She already knew that GeeGee had gone home to America, married Louis and Charlotte had been born near the end of 1945. Evie opened the journal again and began to read the final entry.