Scandalous Risks Part IV

Venetia becomes increasingly uneasy and tells Lyle that she has a new boyfriend in London, (She makes up a relationship with Christian Aysgarth's friend, Perry Palmer). She says that she is hopeful of this one working out. However, she tries to ask Lyle for advice about her real situation. She claims that she has a friend, Dinkie, an American girl, who has become involved with a married man. She also encourages Edward Hoffenberg to go out with her as a further cover. Working with Charles Ashworth, she finds herself confused. Neville is a liberal minded Protestant and she has accepted his point of view about the rightness of their relationship, but she knows that someone like Charles would have a very different viewpoint. She does meet Dido at social events, and from her, learns that Neville used to be friends with Jon Darrow. Jon is now an elderly widower, who lives in Starbridge and gives spiritual advice. She knows Nick Darrow, Jon's son by his second marriage, and she knows that he has an older half brohter, Martin Darrow who is a successful actor. She decides to try and meet Jon, and succeeds in catching him at the local theatre. She uses Eddie as a cover, having asked him to take her to see a play in which Martin is performing. She goes to Jon's little cottage where he lives like a reclusive monk. She tells him about her relationship with Neville... He tells her that the affair cannot continue, it will destroy both of them. Venetia doesn't quite believe him, but his intensity frightens her.