“Yes.” She straightened her shoulders. “I must know the truth.”
“Leave it to me,” Tessa said.
The door opened, and Gabby’s heart thumped as Adam strode in. He was fully restored to his former self, lean and elegant in a blue frockcoat, his biscuit-colored trousers tucked into gleaming boots.
He bowed to the group. “Ladies, I hope I am not intruding on your charming conversation.”
“Um, no.” Gabby licked her lips nervously. “Not at all. We were just talking about…um…”
“My ball,” the ever quick-witted Tessa supplied. “The one I’m throwing in honor of Ransom and Maggie’s engagement. It’s in a fortnight, and you’re both invited, of course. I was getting your wife’s advice since she’s the consummate hostess and tip-top when it comes to decorating and refreshments. Whereas I, myself, can’t tell the difference between a rose and a potato.”
Adam looked amused. “Next time I see your husband, I’ll remind him of that. Advise the fellow not to throw away blunt on expensive bouquets.”
“Harry already knows I prefer confections to flowers.” Smiling, Tessa rested her hand for a moment on her belly. “Especially nowadays.”
Gabby had been taking in the exchange, silently thanking Tessa for the reprieve, when Adam turned back to her. His dark gaze honed in upon her face.
“Is everything all right, pet?” he asked.
Aware of her friends’ fascinated stares, Gabby said, “Y-yes. Why do you ask?”
“You look tired. And I fear I am to blame.” He approached her as if the rest of the world ceased to exist, and it was only the two of them in this room. He brushed his thumb along her cheekbone, his eyes probing. “Poor wife, always helping and looking after everyone. Who is looking after you?”
Mesmerized by his warm concern, she swallowed. “I-I’m fine.”
“You ought to have a nap. If I had my way,” he murmured, “you’d stay the day in bed.”
The male interest in his eyes was blatant and unmistakable. Whowasthis man who’d taken the place of her reserved husband? Wariness and longing trembled through her.
“I have errands to run later,” she began.
“Errands can wait. I want you to have a lie-down so you’ll be rested for tonight.”
She blinked, trying to remember the schedule. “Do we have an event tonight?”
“We do, and it’s a surprise.”
Intrigued, she asked, “What kind of a surprise?”
His mouth twitched. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
“We must be on our way.” Emma’s bright announcement broke the reverie.
Gabby had forgotten her friends’ presence entirely. Blushing at her rudeness, she pleaded, “Please, do stay—”
“Listen to your husband, dear. We know our way out.” Emma led the group to the door.
“Get some rest, Gabby,” Maggie said with a warm smile.
As the ladies exited, Gabby heard Tessa add with a catch of laughter, “I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”
18
When Gabby awoke,she was disconcerted to discover that it was nearly nine o’clock in the evening. After her friends departed, Adam had insisted she take a nap. She couldn’t believe she’d slept the entire afternoon and then some. Getting out of bed, she rang for Nell.
As she sat at the dressing table, she saw that she did indeed look more refreshed. The sleep had helped, as had the talk with her friends. And if she felt a prick of guilt that she’d enlisted Tessa’s help in discovering the identity of Jessabelle, she pushed it aside. She was doing the right thing, taking steps to discover the truth. Her suspicions were likely worse than facing reality head-on, and they were preventing her from moving forward in her marriage.
The changes in her husband were perturbing enough. She couldn’t manage thoseandsimultaneously be worried about whether or not he had a lover—not without becoming a candidate for Bedlam anyway. She’d reached full capacity when it came to worry; no more would fit into her mental categories. Something had to give. Besides, in her heart she trusted Adam: he’d told her he was faithful. Which meant Jessabelle, whoever she was, was just a mix-up, and the sooner the matter was cleared up, the better.
