Soon, he told himself.The day will come soon when she is safe, and then I’ll tell her everything. I’ll beg her forgiveness and make her mine. For good.
“Tessa,” he said.
“Hmm?”
His lips quirked at her sultry response, the glazed-over look in her verdant eyes that told him she was reliving their moments of passion too. She was a lusty sprite, and he liked that about her. Liked everything about her.
“We’re here,” he said. “Stay close to the duchesses, don’t go anywhere alone. Promise me?”
“I promise,” she breathed.
“I’m ever so glad you could visit,” Gabriella Garrity said.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Tessa replied and meant it.
Gabby had clearly put forth an effort for the day’s visit. Upon arriving at the enormous, newly built residence, the guests had been ushered through an entrance hall of gleaming marble to the present sumptuous drawing room. Everything in the house spoke of wealth and exquisite taste. The silk-covered walls and rosewood furnishings had an understated elegance, the dove grey upholstery a subtle, luxurious luster.
In contrast, there was nothing understated about the refreshments. Earlier, the butler had rolled in a cart with enough iced cakes and finger-sized sandwiches to feed an army. The platter of sliced fruits was a work of art, and Tessa wouldn’t have dared to disturb it. Yet Gabby had cheerfully dug in, using silver tongs to serve the pineapple, oranges, and sugared berries to her guests.
Now they were all sitting by the coffee table, Gabby on a divan and the rest of them in surrounding curricle chairs. They were talking and nibbling, and Tessa noted with appreciation that their hostess wasn’t the sort to have food on her plate just for show. Gabby appeared to be enjoying every morsel of the cakes she piled on her plate.
“You needn’t have gone to such trouble, Gabby.” This came from Emma, whose rose satin carriage dress was the perfect foil to her brunette beauty.
“It’s no trouble at all. When Mr. Garrity is home, he prefers midday refreshments, so I always have everything at the ready.” In the same breath, Gabby said, “Thank you, Burke. That’ll be all,” to the aged butler, who gave her a deferential bow before departing.
Polly’s tawny curls canted to one side, her turquoise eyes widening. “You make preparations like thiseveryday?”
“Mr. Garrity likes it.” Gabby forked up a bite of lemon cream cake.
“Strathaven would too,” Emma muttered, “but that doesn’t mean he gets it.”
“You have been known to bake His Grace his favorite Scotch pie,” her sister teased.
“True.” Emma sipped her tea. Above the gilt rim of the fine Sèvres cup, her brown eyes had a roguish glint. “But I usually do so as an apology. Or a bribe.”
They all laughed.
“Oh, I have missed you all so!” Gabby set down her plate, the sudden movement causing the ruffles of her lavender gown to shiver like leaves in a breeze. “And you, too, Miss Smith, although I only met you yesterday.”
The redhead’s words were nonsensical, yet so heartfelt that Tessa couldn’t help but smile. “Please do call me Tessa.”
Emma set her cup down. “It’s been too long, Gabby. How are you, my dear?”
“Everything is quite wonderful. The children are well, although I’ll admit it’s no imposition to have them out of the house with their governesses. And Mr. Garrity’s star continues to rise; Papa says he’s one of the most important men in all of London, although,”—a frown worked between Gabby’s auburn brows—“I do wish the two of them would rub along better. Such is family, I suppose. My main worry for Mr. Garrity is the demands of his success. Why just over a month ago, he had to deal with the most tragic—”
Just as Tessa’s ears perked to hear what Garrity had been involved in, Emma cut in.
“Gabby, dear, you haven’t answered my question. How areyoudoing?”
“Haven’t I just been going on about that?” Gabby’s bright blue eyes were confused.
“Not really, dear.” Polly’s gentle manner probably put her in good stead with small children and skittish animals. “You’ve told us about your husband, children, and father, but not aboutyou.”
“Oh.” Gabby’s eyelashes fanned against her cheeks. “Well, I suppose…I suppose there’s not much to say on that topic.”
She reached for her plate, devouring iced cakes in rapid succession.
Tessa saw the duchesses exchange worried looks. Even she, who didn’t know Gabby well, felt a twinge of concern about the other’s inner state of affairs. She couldn’t help but wonder: how could this sweet, guileless lady be married to a man as reputedly cold and ruthless as Adam Garrity?
