Her Father's House by Belva Plain

about a stupid thing like a ring?”
    â€œI don't want to argue. I came to tell you something. As soon as the divorce comes through, and I hope it comes fast, I'm going to marry Howard Buzley.”
    Howard Buzley!
Fat, old, and ugly.
A gust of laughter almost burst out of Donald's throat as he managed to turn it into an exclamation.
    â€œWhat? Surely you're joking?”
    â€œNo, no, I'm not. He's been saying from the time I went to work for him that he'd like to marry me someday.”
    â€œBut his wife?”
    â€œShe died while we were in Italy. You see what a decent man he is? She was sick for so many years. A lot of men would have left, you know that. He's a very kind man. He's been very kind to me, I can tell you. He's crazy about me.”
    So that was the source of the rent for her and Cindy, the spa vacations, and the fine clothes! For all that, of course, Buzley got his pay. He must have gotten plenty of it. And strangely now, the picture of Buzley and Lillian in bed together aroused not jealousy, but only disgust.
    â€œYou wouldn't believe how generous he is, always giving to people. Not only to me. I could tell you stories—we were walking past a shop one day and he went in and bought this watch for me. I hadn't even noticed it in the window.”
    â€œWait a minute. You said that the Italian aristocrat gave it to you.”
    â€œThat must have been another watch, not this one. Don't you remember seeing the other one?”
    She has told so many lies, he thought, that they've become second nature to her. “No,” he said, “but it doesn't matter. Tell me, why should he marry you? I'm curious. Can't you simply live together?”
    â€œWe could, but I'm not sure I'd do that. With him, I want everything safe, according to law.” Lillian smiled. “He's not like you, you see. Not your type. Not what they call the ‘old school' honorable gentleman.”
    In spite of himself, Donald was fascinated. “And you think you'll be happy?”
    â€œYes, I know him so much better than I knew you. Howard and I have a lot of fun together. I didn't know you at all, did I? It was pure infatuation for you and me. And admiration, too. I admired your intellect. I think I can say that we had a good many of the same intellectual interests, or am I being too immodest?”
    â€œNot at all. But intellect is not enough, Lillian. You have to know how to use it.”
    Lillian shrugged. “We like all the same things, Howard and I. He knows everybody, all the New York celebrities, Hollywood entertainers, theater, everybody. I feel much more free when I'm with him than I did with you. I'm not trying to hurt you by saying this, Donald. I never would hurt you because I still care for you and I'm still fond of you. I'm just telling the truth.”
    This time she probably is, he thought.
    â€œI want us to end in a friendly way. I want you to find somebody who will make you happy, who has your tastes and your moral outlook.”
    There was a silence, during which Lillian was taking a last look around what had been her home, and he was wondering what she might be feeling, if anything.
    â€œHoward has ordered a spectacular engagement ring for me. So you really must take this one back.”
    â€œAn engagement ring? Of course he knows you're pregnant?”
    â€œWell, what do you think?” she responded indignantly. “Of course he does. Even if he couldn't see it, wouldn't I tell him?”
    â€œAnd it doesn't matter to him?”
    â€œGood heavens, he has grandchildren from here to California. He's used to children, so one more won't matter. Anyway, we'll have a nurse. And the apartment is enormous, twelve rooms with a view all over the city, from the East River to the Hudson. It reminds me of the Sanders' place.”
    Ah, yes, the view. She had wanted a view. And ah, yes, the Sanders. At first he had blamed them for corrupting her, but that had been thoroughly