She went still. “And do you agree with her?” He shrugged. “Of course.” “But it feels wrong to have such brazen thoughts, to want something so . . . basic.” “Why?” She looked at him and then away. “Because sex is such a powerful thing. Strong emotions can ruin people’s lives.” “Are you thinking about your husband again?” “No, about myself and my mother. The passion she and Philip shared almost destroyed her.” 76 / Kate Pearce “But she found love with him, didn’t she, so wasn’t it all worth it?” “For her, perhaps. For her children, it meant a lifetime of separation, of not knowing.” She sighed. “Please don’t mis-understand me, I have nothing but admiration for my mother, but I swore to myself that I would live a more conventional life and avoid grand passions if I could.” Silence fell between them as he contemplated her. “Do you think your needs will shock me?” “I don’t know.” “Marguerite, nothing shocks me.” She tried to smile.
