“Please do not think that I am ungrateful for your visit, but what made you decide to drop in today?” Bridget could not help but ask as she fiddled anxiously with the edge of the white lace tablecloth.
She did indeed enjoy her visits from Katie most days. However, today she was distracted, both mentally and physically, and wanted nothing more than to keep looking for clues.
Katie fluffed the skirts of her white and mint green day gown, then touched her gloves and necklace, as if nervous.
“I wished to see how you were,” Katie said, sympathy flashing through her eyes as she looked up at Bridget. “Last evening’s conversation seemed to shift toward an attack, and it has not satwell with me since.”
Bridget smiled at Katie appreciatively as she reached out for her hand.
“You are a good friend,” she praised, giving her hand a warm squeeze. “I admit that I did struggle with such intense questions. However, the truth is, I was most embarrassed by myself. The ladies, though harsh, forced me to accept that I do indeed know very little about my husband. Other than the fact that he is making a fool of me.”
“You are no fool,” Katie assured her as their tea was brought in.
A moment of silence stretched between them as they stirred sugar into their tea.
“I take it that since you are… redecorating,” Katie ventured tentatively. “That your husband has not returned yet.”
Anger and hurt flashed through Bridget’s heart as she lightly tapped her spoon against the lip of her teacup.
“No,” she muttered. “He has not. Though throughout my ‘redecorating’, I was hoping to find a clue as to where he may be.”
“I take it you have not?” Katie asked.
Bridget shook her head, her anger gathering like a dark cloud.
“I have ‘redecorated’ his study, and his private chambers, and have found nothing,” she confessed. “It seems my husband is very good at keeping secrets while also not hiding his shenanigans when he must.”
Katie pressed her lips tightly together as her gaze fell to the table; a faint blush filled her cheeks.
“I know you well, Katie,” Bridget said, studying her friend’s features. “Something is on your mind. Did the ladies say something more after I left last night?”
“No,” Katie answered, looking up. “After you left, I chastised them for their poor treatment of you, and they made sure to keep their questions and gossiping thoughts to themselves for the rest of the evening.”
She paused, pursing her lips again.
“However,” she went on, “you see… When John and I go to bed, we have a bit of snuggle and talk about our day.”
A quiver of jealousy moved through Bridget. She could not even begin to imagine how lovely that would be.
“So you told him what happened at the party?” Bridget ventured.
“I did,” Katie confessed, “And in turn, he told me that your husband wasalsothe topic of conversation at White’s last night.”
Bridget’s cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment.
“Spare no details,” she demanded, setting down her teacup. “I want to hear everything.”
“I will not burden you with such gossip,” Katie said, an edge to her voice. “However, I do believe that it is good that you are searching for your husband. I believe he may be in trouble with the wrong sort of people.”
Bridget’s head spun as she thought of all of the things that could mean.
“John mentioned that there was a possibility of tracking him down,” Katie went on. “Though it is…” Katie’s blush deepened.“It is a most unsavory quest.”
Bridget’s cloud of anger grew darker as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Speak plainly, please, Katie,” she implored.
“Have you spoken to your husband’s valet yet?” Katie asked suddenly. “Perhaps he knows something?”
