X for His Light-Coloured Eyes

"You a lucky woman," she said to the face in the hand-carved mirror.
"Yes, you are."
She reached out and tapped on the glass where the nose was.
Standing, she observed her full figure. She'd gotten thicker after
having the children.
But he didn't seem to mind. Anyway, he was thicker, too. Had that thick
neck, he had.
"What's the use?" she said softly. "Nothing lasts forever
anyhow."
She dressed, choosing an outfit that was fresh-smelling. The day should
be another warm one. Oh spring! It was so unlike the other seasons. So
much better, more comfortable.
"Better go to the kitchen," she mumbled. "He'll be needing a drink."
Besides, she thought, don't I hear someone?
He opened the door just as she was reaching for the handle.
"Oh my! You scared me!" she said not too loudly.
He smiled slightly, brushing her right breast with his left hand as he
did.
"Sorry. We've a visitor I came to say. Could you...?"
"I can," she said, closing his lips with a fingertip. "I can and I
will. Gladly. What would you like?"
He laughed again. "Anything will do," he replied, "considering our
finances."
"Tea and biscuits, then," she said. She looked closely into his
light-colored eyes, which she'd always loved. "Hot tea and
biscuits."
"Thank you," he whispered, turning to return to the library where his
visitor waited.
He didn't care for closed doors, so when she arrived with the tea and
biscuits, it was open as usual.
She paused in the door frame. The morning sun silhouetted her figure.
The men saw her standing there.
"Oh, Sally. Thank you. I'd completely forgot. I say, this is young
Markham. He's come many miles to visit me here at Monticello. He likes
architecture and could postpone this trip no longer."
Sally started slightly before giving the customary curtsy she used with
visitors. It was not usual for her to be introduced to visitors. She
set the tea tray down. She smiled as she looked the visitor over
briefly. There was something charming about him, something relaxed. He
did not seem to care about or to be bound by the usual social
restrictions.
"Would there be anything else, Master Thomas?" she asked sweetly, now
facing the man who owned her and had been her long-time secret
lover.
"No Sally. We're just fine. You may retire now."
"Thank you master," she said and left the room.
"If I may say so, that's quite an attractive servant you have there, Mr
President," the young man observed, hoping not to offend the elderly
gentleman. "She seems to be so, so appropriate, I guess, for her
position."
"Oh, I certainly agree," replied the former president with a smile.
"She's also very faithful, that one. I daresay I've been a lucky man
for quite some time now. Yes, quite some time."