At the Water's Edge Read Online Free Page B

strand of pearls in front of my jewelry box, and both earrings, cushion-cut rubies surrounded by diamonds, were nearby but not together. A very large champagne cork was planted squarely between them. I checked my finger for my ring and then, with a sickening feeling of vertigo, remembered the hair comb. I burrowed my face into my pillow and pulled its edges over my ears.
    At noon, the housemaid knocked gently on the door, then opened it a crack.
    â€œI’m sorry, Emily. I’m not feeling up to breakfast,” I said, my voice muffled by the pillow.
    â€œI’ve brought Alka-Seltzer and gingersnaps,” she replied, which made my stomach twist again. It meant that not only had we wakened the entire house when we returned, but also that our condition had been obvious.
    â€œPut it on the table,” I said, rolling to face the opposite wall. I didn’t want her to see me. I’d fallen into bed without even removing my makeup, as evidenced by the streaks of mascara on my pillowcase. “Thank you, Emily.”
    â€œOf course, Mrs. Hyde.”
    She stayed longer than I expected, and when she left, I saw that she’d taken the dress, shoes, and mink with her.
    The telephone rang sporadically throughout the day. With each call, my mother-in-law’s voice became a little more resolute until finally it was brittle and hard. I shrank further under the covers with every conversation.
    At nearly six thirty, Ellis staggered into my room. He was still in his pajamas. His robe was open, its sash dragging on the floor behind him.
    â€œDear God, what a night,” he said, scrubbing his eyes with his fists. “I’m a bit green about the gills. I could use an eye-opener. How about you?”
    I suppressed a retch.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked, coming closer. His face was drawn, and there were dark semicircles beneath his eyes. I didn’t even wantto know how I looked—Ellis had at least made it into his pajamas; I was still in my slip.
    â€œNot really,” I said. “Look what Emily brought on my breakfast tray.”
    He glanced over and guffawed.
    â€œIt’s not funny,” I said. “It means they’re all gossiping about us in the kitchen. And I lost your mother’s hair comb.”
    â€œOh,” he said vaguely.
    â€œEllis,
I lost the hair comb
.”
    When the gravity of this sank in, he sat on the edge of the bed and the last of his color drained.
    â€œWhat am I going to do?” I said, curling into a ball.
    He took a deep breath and thought. After a few seconds, he slapped his thighs with resolve and said, “Well. You’ll have to telephone the Pews and tell them to be on the lookout, that’s all.”
    â€œI was going to. But I can’t.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œFor one thing, I can’t get near the telephone. Your mother’s been on it all day. God only knows what she’s heard. And anyway, I can’t call Mrs. Pew. I can’t face her, not even over the telephone.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause we were
tight
! We rolled around in the street!”
    â€œEveryone was tight.”
    â€œYes, but not like us,” I said miserably. I sat up and cradled my head in my hands. “I don’t even remember leaving. Do you?”
    â€œNot really.” He got up and walked to my dressing table. “When did you get this?” he asked, picking up the cork.
    â€œI haven’t a clue,” I replied.
    On the main floor, the telephone rang yet again, and I cowered. Ellis came back to the bed and took my hand. This time, when Pemberton fetched my mother-in-law, her footsteps were brisk and she spoke in punctuated bursts. After a few minutes, she went silent again, and the silence was ominous, rolling through the house like waves of poisonous gas.
    Ellis looked at my clock. “She’ll come up to dress for dinner in a few minutes. You can call then.”
    â€œCome with me?” I