After the butler took off like the hounds of hell were at his heels, Adam let her go, giving her a curious look.
“What is the matter, love? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
If only he knew how close he was to the truth. For an instant, she considered telling him what she’d asked Tessa to do for her…but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. To destroy their hard-won joy over a matter that could be nothing. Moreover, even if Jessabelle had been a whore at The Gilded Pearl, Adam would have no memory of her. What good would it do to accuse him of an infidelity he couldn’t even remember committing?
For the first time in my life, I’m truly happy. My husband is a different man now, and he loves me. Whatever he may or may not have done in the past, does it really matter?
“It’s nothing.” Her hand curled around the note.
“Burke just said it was important.”
Although she was terrible at lying, the excuse came with surprising ease. “Tessa is holding a ball next week in honor of Maggie and Ransom’s engagement, remember?” she said brightly. “She probably wants to know what I’m wearing.”
“Ah. Important ladies’ matters.”
She was so relieved at her husband’s faint smile that she wasn’t prepared for his next question.
“So, what are you wearing?”
“Oh, I, um…don’t know. I’m certain I have a suitable ballgown lying around. Nell will help me choose something from my wardrobe.”
“A special occasion calls for a new gown. We’ll visit the modiste tomorrow.”
“We?” She tilted her head, confused. “You’re coming with me?”
“Don’t you want your husband’s opinion?”
“You’ve never gone to the dress shop with me before,” she said doubtfully. “It can be dreadfully dull.”
“Nothing involving you is dull.” As he leaned in to kiss her cheek, her hand tightened protectively around the note. “Make the appointment for late afternoon tomorrow. I’ll go straight from the office.”
She’d almost forgotten that he’d be returning to work on the morrow.
“Very well,” she said.
“I’d better check in on the unpacking of the gifts. Much longer and the children will start a rebellion,” he said with a grin.
“I’ll meet you up there,” she replied.
After he left, she looked at the crumpled note in her hand. How strange that a piece of paper felt as lethal as an explosive device. Delaying wasn’t going to ameliorate its impact, however.
Taking a breath, she broke the wax seal and scanned the brief message.
The female of interest was not an employee of a certain place. You may put your mind at ease, dear friend. Now I have a favor to ask: would you please come over at your earliest convenience to help me choose the flowers for my ball? Who knew there were so many varieties of the blasted things?
-Tessa
The sound that escaped Gabby was halfway between a sob and a laugh, but the feeling that flooded her was one of pure, dazzling relief.
27
“This is allI have at the moment, but I swear on my mama’s grave that I’ll have the rest of the blunt to you next month.”
Adam looked at the gold locket on his desk then back at the bedraggled lordling sitting across from him. Evanston had the bleary-eyed look of a man who’d spent the night drinking, gambling, whoring…and God knew what else.
“Your mother’s still alive,” Adam said, having reviewed the client’s file thoroughly. “Which is more than you’ll be if you miss another payment.”
Murray, who was watching the exchange with his shoulder propped against the wall, smothered his laugh with a cough.
