“I was terrified,” Bethany answered automatically. Because she had been.
Until Chase had kissed her, that was. He’d kissed the fear right out of her.
“Lady Ravensdale told Mother it was important you two appear as a love match.”
“Where is Mother? I thought she was joining us.”
“She went visiting with Lady Sheffield. Now that she doesn’t have to worry about being snubbed.”
It was good news.It was.But for some reason, all the air escaped Bethany’s euphoric bubble from the night before.
“Where is your husband today? I thought he might be escorting you around town.” Tabetha grinned. “What’s it like? Did you finally…?”
“That’s private.” And she had no idea where her husband had gone off to. He hadn’t returned before she left. Likely he’d been visiting his clubs. That’s what gentlemen did while in London, wasn’t it?
But what did gentlemen do at the break of dawn?
“No matter. At least I get to have my come-out party. If only Westerley hadn’t ordered Mr. Spencer to become my shadow. He promises to be a considerable nuisance.”
“It’s for your own protection,” Bethany reminded her.
“From whom? Any gentleman who wants to court me?”
Bethany sipped her tea while Tabetha entertained her with other gossip. How many times had the two of them sat in this very room and discussed all the on-dits?
“Felicity was feeling poorly this morning. I do hope she isn’t coming down with something. I’ll be devastated if she can’t attend next week.”
“She said she was tired last night.”
Before Bethany could ask Tabetha her opinion on Felicity’s lethargy, rustling in the foyer outside the door heralded an interruption to their tete-a-tete.
“Tabetha? Mr. Bradley said you wouldn’t mind if I—oh. Lady Bethany. I mean… Lady Chaswick.” Delia winced, clutching her reticule in front of her. The younger Somerset sister obviously hadn’t expected to find Bethany here today.
“Won’t you join us for tea? We’ve plenty of pastries.” Dear Tabetha was somehow oblivious to Delia’s embarrassment.
Bethany wasn’t unaware of the trials Delia must endure having a sister like Rachel. And after last night, she was feeling rather forgiving.
“Milk and sugar?” Bethany gathered the extra saucer and cup and poured a generous cup for their guest, not giving the younger girl an opportunity to decline.
“Yes, please. I mean… both. Thank you.” As she took the cup from Bethany, she smiled apologetically. “Did you have a nice time last night?”
The memory of Chase’s naked flesh in the flickering candlelight came quickly to mind but Delia was asking aboutthe ball. “I did.” Her night with Chase was beginning to feel like a dream. Like she had been an entirely different person. A person who didn’t exist in the daylight.
She’d felt daring, beautiful, passionate.
Where was her husband off to today?
“I’m sorry about everything.” The apology burst out of Delia in a rush. “And it’s all my fault! If I’d kept mum about Rachel’s plan, none of this would have happened to you. I’m only glad you haven’t been banished from society. Shame on Chaswick though—already squiring his mistresses around Bond Street. And on your wedding day too! But the two of you looked so beautiful dancing last night. If a person didn’t know better, they’d think you were in love. All isn’t lost though. Now you can wear colors that aren’t pastels. Perhaps you can travel. Married women have considerable freedom under such circumstances.”
B-a-n-i-s-h-e-d. Eight letters. S-o-c-i-e-t-y. Seven.
What had Delia said? Squiring who, around where?
His mistress? Mistresses? As in more than one of them???
Voices carried on around her but she’d ceased to comprehend what was being said. She’d known this was a possibility. In fact, she’d expected it. Before…
She shook her head.
