Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"He did at first, but not anymore."

"When he did, what went wrong?"

"The trouble is, I'm not sure what's supposed to happen."

Maisie sighed. How could mothers allow their daughters to walk up the aisle in such ignorance? She recalled that Emily's father was a Methodist minister. That did not help. "What's supposed to happen is this," she began. "Your husband kisses and touches you, his doodle gets long and stiff, and he puts it into your cunny. Most girls like it."

Emily blushed scarlet. "He did the kissing and touching, but nothing else."

"Did his doodle get stiff?"

"It was dark."

"Didn't you feel it?"

"He made me rub it once."

"And what was it like? Rigid, like a candle, or limp, like an earthworm? Or in between, like a sausage before it's cooked?"

"Limp."

"And when you rubbed it, did it stiffen?"

"No. It made him very angry and he slapped me and said I was no good. Is it my fault, Mrs. Greenbourne?"

"No, it's not your fault, though men generally blame women. It's a common problem and it's called impotence."

"What causes it?"

"Lots of different things."

"Does it mean I can't have a baby?"

"Not until you can make his doodle stiff."

Emily looked as if she might cry. "I do so want a baby. I'm so lonely and unhappy but if I had a baby I could put up with everything else."

Maisie wondered what Edward's problem was. He certainly had not been impotent in the old days. Was there anything she could do to help Emily? She could probably find out whether Edward was impotent all the time or just with his wife. April Tilsley would know. Edward had still been a regular customer at Nellie's brothel last time Maisie spoke to April--although that had been years ago: it was difficult for a society lady to remain close friends with London's leading madam. "I know someone close to Edward," she said cautiously. "She might be able to shed some light on the problem."

Emily swallowed. "Do you mean that he has a mistress? Please tell me--I must face the facts."

She was a determined girl, Maisie thought. She may be ignorant and naive but she's going to get what she wants. "This woman isn't his mistress. But if he has one she might know."

Emily nodded. "I'd like to meet your friend."

"I don't know that you personally should--"

"I want to. He's my husband, and if there's something bad to be told I want to hear it." Her face took on that set, stubborn look again, and she said: "I'll do anything, you must believe me--anything. My whole life is going to be a wasteland unless I save myself."