Cloak of Decency

‘The only thing worse than no husband is the wrong husband,’ Francesca quipped, drawing deeply on her long white cigarette, easing herself back into the red velvet couch.

‘So why don’t you leave him?’ her friend asked naively.

‘Quite simply, Ines, I like his money.’

‘That won’t bring you happiness.’

Francesca smiled condescendingly. ‘I know, but if you’re going to be miserable, you might as well be rich,’ she retorted, finishing the last of her champagne. ‘And besides, it’s not just the money. There’s the apartment in the 16th Arrondisement, the villa in Spain, not to mention how useful the title is whenever you want a table in a good restaurant,’ she added, smugly.

‘So what’s the problem?’ asked Ines.

Francesca sighed wearily. ‘Eduardo is just so dull. I need excitement, someone dark and dangerous, who will bring some passion into my life.’

Ines looked aghast. ‘Francesca, you are outrageous,’ she reproached, her criticism cut short as a waiter appeared at their table.

‘Excuse me, Marquesa,’ he interrupted, ‘the gentleman at the bar would like to send over a bottle of champagne.’

Francesca looked first at her friend and then turned her attention to the handsome young man, sitting on a stool at the bar. Slowly, he raised his glass and smiled confidently, his tanned good looks cutting an imposing figure at the art deco bar.

‘I really should be going,’ Ines stammered nervously, glancing down at her watch.

‘You can’t go yet,’ Francesca objected, ‘and besides, it would be rude to decline his invitation.’ She turned back to the waiter and smiled.

‘Will you tell the gentleman we would be delighted to accept his kind offer,’ she paused, ‘on the condition he joins us for a glass.’

Ines gasped silently as the waiter acknowledged her request and returned to the bar to convey the message.

‘Francesca, do you think it was wise asking him to join us? We have no idea who he is and, in case you hadn’t noticed, he’s young enough to be your...’

‘Yes, I know, isn’t it wonderful,’ Francesca interrupted, ‘and so very handsome.’ She smiled, seductively fingering the long rope of pearls around her neck. ‘He’s obviously quite taken by us, which makes it even more exciting.’