June took her by the shoulders.
“Off you go to bed, and don’t argue. I’ve had a fire put in your room, and Charlie is there with a new bow on. I’ll come and tuck you up when you’re ready, and....”
But Esther refused to move.
“I couldn’t sleep if I went to bed. I want to tell you about––about what’s happened....” She paused breathlessly, but June was not going to help her.
“I don’t want to hear anything,” she said flatly. She looked at Esther and saw the tears in the younger girl’s eyes. She put an arm round her, drawing her down to the sofa.
“Tell me all about it, then,” she said. “I’m just––just longing to know.”
“But there isn’t much to tell, except–––” Esther held out her left hand. “I’m not engaged any more,” she said with a faint attempt to laugh. “He––Mr. Ashton––is married....”
“I know––Micky told me before we went to Enmore. I hope he’s married a vixen who’ll lead him an awful dance. It would serve her right to let her know the sort of man he is––to let her know the sort of letters he’s been writing to you––to show him up properly.”
Esther hid her face in the mauve cushions.
“Oh, but he has never written to me,” she said chokingly. “I’ve never had a letter from him since he went away, and that was on New Year’s Eve. It’s all been a mistake––a sham ... he never cared for me––he never really wanted me....”