“I am not going to apologize for that. Not when it worked. I shall have to be more careful in the future; perhaps I can work out a code and share it with her.” Vivian tapped her finger against her lips, only realizing what she had said after she had said it.
Future? What future?She swallowed, expecting Thomas to ask just that. After all, there was less than a fortnight left before they were due to part ways. She felt her chest tighten and took a deep breath.
“Very cloak and dagger of you.” He smiled at her, and Vivian’s heart swooped in circles around her chest.
“It only seems sensible. After all, you married me to try to address these rumors; the least I can do is not add fuel to the fire. No matter how unwittingly.” She tapped her fingers on the table, her mind working furiously.
“You may be brilliant, Vivian, but even you cannot think of everything.” He reached across, and for a moment, she thought he would take her hand in his, but he did not. “This is just a scandal sheet printing a story. It will not change all the good you have already done.”
Vivian’s fingers continued their tapping, each movement nearly but not quite brushing against the tips of Thomas’s own fingers. “But it could make things more complicated.”
“Perhaps.” Thomas shrugged.
“Clearly, we need to show them that you are perfectly healthy.” Vivian nodded to herself. “Perhaps we could go for a walk? Or we could go to a play? Cecily mentioned that there is a troupe performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We might be able to catch a matinee.”
“I am afraid I cannot today.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I have had some rather urgent business in town that I must tend to this morning, and I am not sure how long it will take.”
“Oh.” Vivian tried to hide her disappointment. “Yes, of course.”
“We can go another day. Or you could go with Cecily or Andrea if they are free? I would not want you to miss it because of my schedule.” Thomas stood and inclined his head toward her. “I should still be home for dinner, but I will send word if not. I know you do not like to eat alone.”
Vivian nodded and stood as well. She took a half step toward him and then stopped herself. “I will see you this evening. I have some business of my own to attend to anyway.”
“More hobbies?” he asked.
Vivian nodded. “I thought I might try archery. Andrea says it is tremendous fun.”
Thomas laughed, the sound sending shivers through her body. “And here was I thinking it might be something like flower arranging.”
“That is tomorrow’s experiment,” Vivian quipped back.
Thomas opened his mouth and shook his head, his laughter still echoing around them. Vivian watched him leave, then sank back into her seat.
She had hoped he might join her for archery. “Though he would probably spend the entire time teasing me.”
The thought was not altogether unpleasant. A knock sounded at the front door, and Vivian sighed. “He has probably forgotten something again.”
She strode toward the door as the butler opened it. “Back so soon—did you miss me so much?”
The words died in her throat as she saw just who was standing in front of her. It was not the tall, striking figure of her husband. It was a short, balding man twirling his hat and smiling a familiar insipid smile.
“Good to see you, Lady Elington.” Lord Brixten stepped into the room. “Is your husband in?”
Vivian shook her head. “You have just missed him.”
“Shame.” Lord Brixten, though the look on his face suggested he was anything but displeased. “Well, it seems silly to waste the opportunity. And it is such a lovely day, perhaps you would wish to join me for some tea.”
“I was actually just leaving. I am meeting a friend at the British Museum,” Vivian lied, hoping it would get rid of the man.
Lord Brixten’s face brightened. “That is perfect. I am, in fact, just heading there myself. We can walk together.”
Vivian cursed internally, but kept the smile plastered on her face. She slipped on a coat and stepped into the busy street with Lord Brixten at her side.
“I heard a rather interesting rumor,” Lord Brixten said as he gave her a sidelong glance. “Concerning your husband.”
Vivian just managed not to roll her eyes.You and every other fool in the ton.“If you are talking about that silly story in the scandal sheets, you should know that he is perfectly healthy.”
“Yes, of course, perfectly healthy.” Lord Brixten gave her a conspiratorial wink. “You do not have to lie to me; we are old friends after all.”
