Is it, in Heav'n, a crime to love too well? / To bear too tender or too firm a heart, / To act a lover's or a Roman's part?
(Alexander Pope. "Elegy to the Memory of an unfortunate Lady")
Professor Julian Harcourt stood for a moment at the door glancing round at the pleasant garden that was alive with colourful summer flowers. He was a handsome and distinguished looking man in his mid fifties. He turned and pressed the bell, and waited, smiling.
The door was opened by an extremely attractive young woman whose features indicated an oriental background.
"Professor Harcourt!" she exclaimed, "This is a surprise."
"Good afternoon Mrs. Daniels, I was in the neighbourhood on business and I thought why not drop in and visit Charles and his lovely wife." He chuckled and went on, "It's a beautiful day and they might give me afternoon tea on the lawn."
"Yes of course, professor," she replied, puzzled by the unexpected visit. "But Charles isn't here he's lecturing this afternoon, but come in," she said as she led him down the passage towards the kitchen.
"Yes of course, how foolish of me to forget, Cromwell and the Long Parliament, isn't it?"
"Yes, I believe so. It's nearly time for afternoon tea so why don't you come to the kitchen with me while I make some sandwiches and you can help me carry the things out to the lawn."
"You have a very pleasing house Mrs. Daniels," he said as they entered the kitchen.
Serena gave a soft laugh and said, "Yes, I suppose we stretched our finances a bit taking it on, but the house and the area..."
"Yes...yes...of course," the professor said as he gazed round at the gleaming kitchen.
Serena started to prepare afternoon tea as he went on, "Of course, if Charles is selected to replace me it would augment his income considerably."
"Isn't there only Charles and Steven Hawks left on the short list professor?"
"That is correct, my dear. And why don't you call me Julian, no need for formality, and may I call you Serena?"
Serena was a bit perplexed because Harcourt had always been a stickler for formality when it came to names and titles, but said, "Yes, of course."
He laughed and added, I suppose I'd better drop in and visit Steven and Sarah as well or I'll get accused of favouritism."
"Favouritism?"
"Well I'm sure that Charles and Steven understand that whoever I throw my weight behind will virtually have the position."
"Yes," Serena said thoughtfully. "You know pro... Julian, I don't understand why you're retiring so early, I mean, heads of departments seem to go on for ever."
Julian chuckled and said, "You're right my dear, they go on until death catches them asleep; but after my dear wife passed away I decided that I'd take time to write some books I've had in mind for some time, and of course, I'll still be active, visiting lecturer and that sort of thing."
"You must miss your wife very much," Serena said sympathetically.
"Yes...yes...very much, we meant a great deal to each other. She was among other things a great supporter of me and my work, and I've often thought that without her help I would never have achieved what I have. But I suppose that would be true of you and Charles."
"Yes, I'd do anything I could to help Charles achieve his ambition. Would you mind carrying the tray?"
* * * * * * * *
They went out into the garden and sat at an outdoor table.
Julian looked around appreciatively saying, "Yes, you certainly have a lovely setting here."
"Yes, Charles and I love it."
"Mmm, a brilliant young man your husband, and lucky to have such an attractive and supportive wife. That's the problem; the faculty will have a difficult time making the choice. Steven is equally brilliant and his wife is just as ambitious for him as you are for Charles. You've met her at the faculty events haven't you?"
"Yes."
"Very attractive don't you think?"
"Yes, she's lovely."
"Steven is a little senior in years to Charles; but they're both so evenly matched; I wish I didn't carry such a heavy responsibility."
"Responsibility?"
He sighed, "As I said, my dear, a word from me as retiring head of the department can swing the vote one way or the other, and the choice is so evenly balanced."
"Yes, I see."
"Both the men are so keen, the one who doesn't get the position will be bitterly disappointed. Oh but I shouldn't be talking to you like this, it's just that it would take so little to swing the vote one way or the other."
"Yes, it must be very difficult for you."
Julian laughed as if dismissing the subject, and sat drinking his tea for a while in meditative silence, and then went on, "You're a very devoted couple aren't you; I've watched you at the faculty gatherings."
Serena laughed, "Is it so obvious?"
"Yes, my dear, it is obvious. Alice and I were very devoted; I miss her a great deal, especially, if you don't mind me mentioning it, regarding the more intimate side of our relationship."
"Yes, I suppose you do," Serna replied, feeling a little embarrassed that a man she didn't know very well should talk about his private life so openly.
Julian was looking at her thoughtfully; "As I say, Serena, it would take very little to move the balance one way or the other, so very little."
They remained silent for a while, and then Julian said, "I suppose you'd do almost anything to help Charles get the position?"
"I'd do whatever I could, but I don't really see how I can help, it's a matter of qualifications, ability and I suppose experience."
"Yes, all of those, Serena, but as I say, my word can swing things one way or the other, and there is something that you could do for Charles that would cost you very little."
"What?"
"As I said, Serena, I miss the intimate side of my life with Alice and, to put it frankly, I'm still very potent."
Serna was flustered and she stammered, "I-I-I'm sorry Julian, I don't understand what you're getting at."
Julian smiled salaciously, "Oh I think you do my dear. As I say very little could swing the balance and you know what that little something could be, don't you?"
Serena stood up, "If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting, I think you'd better leave."
"Oh dear, so the devoted wife isn't prepared to make a small sacrifice for her husband's future. Well, I won't press you on the subject."
He stood saying, "If you change your mind my dear you know where to contact me, but do bear in mind it's only three of weeks before the faculty must vote. In the meantime I think I'll pay a visit to Steven and Sarah. I might make it when Steven is lecturing.
"Get out," Serena snapped.
He shrugged; "Of course my dear, but such a pity, Charles could have been the youngest head of the History Department ever. Goodbye, it's been nice talking with you."
He walked calmly away.
* * * * * * * *
Serena and Charles had met in Hong Kong when he was on a lecture tour. She had been one the students attending his lectures and after one lecture she had approached him to ask a question.
The impact on Charles was almost instantaneous as he looked at the attractive, delicate looking girl, her features a fascinating mix of the oriental and occidental, with black hair and startling blue eye; her father had been an Englishman working for the Hong Kong administration at a time when the island was still in British hands, and her was mother Chinese.
I suppose you might call it love at first sight, but whatever it was it reached into Charles' heart.
The effect of Charles on Serena was equally strong as Charles tried to stumblingly answer her question. There were other students crowding round him with their questions and as he was making a mess of answering hers he'd laughed nervously and said, "Would you mind it I dealt with these other students first, and perhaps we could go and have a cup of coffee somewhere and I'll try and give you a coherent answer."
She had agreed, and from there their romance that taken off.
Charles was ten years older than Serena and along with his growing love for her he had felt protective of this slender fragile looking girl.
He had only four weeks in Hong Kong and by the end of that time he had proposed to Serena, and she accepted him.
Apart from the whirlwind nature of their romance, their courtship had been oddly old fashioned.
Charles, who was not inexperienced where sexual intercourse concerned, had refrained from approaching Serena for this. He was in love as he had never been before, and had the unexpected feeling that if her copulated with her before marriage he would somehow defile their relationship.
Hong Kong and UK bureaucratic administrivia had held up their marriage so Charles had returned to the UK without his beloved Serena. It took several months for her to get the necessary clearances before she could join him.
When he saw her naked for the first time she was for him so beautiful, with her slender figure, small, firm, high breasts with their sweet pink nipples, and her golden skin, he was close to crying. Even the wisps of her pubic hair made her look so incredibly young.
If Charles needed any reassurance that he had found the love of his life, then he got it during their honeymoon. He had never considered her virginity one way or the other, but when he discovered she was a virgin on their wedding night he was deeply moved and felt rather unworthy of her.
Fragile she might look, but as their marriage developed she displayed unexpected strengths. Sexually she was extremely fervent and very determined where Charles' career was concerned.
When they married Charles held the position of senior lecturer. When a professorial chair became vacant Charles had said that it would in all probability be taken up by an outsider. It was Serena who encouraged him to apply, and he had won it.
When it was announced that Professor Harcourt, the head of the department was to retire prematurely Charles saw him self as having no chance of getting the position, although he dearly wanted it. Again it was Serena who encouraged him to apply.
Much to Charles' surprise the choice had finally come down to himself and Steven Hawk.
Those with the task of making the choice were the professorial staff of the department, and being applicants Charles and Steven were not involved in the apparently endless discussion about who should be appointed.
Despite the fact that Charles would be the youngest ever head of such a department, Serena had been sure he would win. Now with Harcourt's visit she knew the price that might have to be paid for Charles' success.
