A Long Fatal Love Chase - Week 2 Chapters 4 to 7

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

The action has really picked up and mysterious happenings are occurring. Tempest seems to be a loving husband-but I wonder if they are legally married?

An idyllic year at Valrosa has gone by, but circumstances indicate that peace and tranquillity are a thing of the past.

First there is the appearance and subsequent death of Willoughby.
What does he know? How does Tempest deal with him?

Then there is the disappearance of Lito.
Who can he be? What was in that letter from London?
Why isn't Rosamund receiving any replies to her letter to her grandfather?

Lastly, who is the mysterious woman?
Why is Tempest in such a hurry to leave Nice?

Please feel free to comment on anything else that strikes you.

[Deborah, Moderator]

I think Willoughby died because he sees something in Lito which makes me guess he’s the son of Tempest. Tempest is more than meets the eye. Even though some of the things he says shows he’s not exactly honest, I’m thinking he has an evil streak. He’s definitely controlling as evidenced by having Rosamund watched so closely. With the apparent isolation of Rosamund, I’m betting his going to become abusive.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Willoughby also seemed startled when Rosamund told him that she and Tempest were married.
Is there another Mrs. Tempest?

[Deborah, Moderator]

Rosemarie wrote: "Willoughby also seemed startled when Rosamund told him that she and Tempest were married.
Is there another Mrs. Tempest?"

The shadowy woman perhaps

[Frances, Moderator]

I am assuming that Tempest has a another wife somewhere, and I initially thought that Lito was his son, but find it hard to believe that he would have him killed, although the grave may not be his.

It is interesting that the opening sentence of the novel is ...and I often feel as if I'd gladly sell my soul to Satan for a year of freedom. and here we are one year after she sailed away with Tempest and has had a so far charmed and lovely life. Now, his resemblance to Mephistopheles is starting to become clearer-the temper, the controlling, the taking of a life (Willoughby and possibly Lito) so we know there is some excitement in store for us! Is er year of freedom coming to an end?

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

That was a very dangerous statement for Rosamund to make.
It really shows her impetuous nature and lack of experience in the outside world.