Emma rushed over with a handkerchief, everyone gathering around Tessa.
Tessa dabbed at her eyes. “I-I’m sorry.”
“You never have to apologize to us, dear,” Emma said soothingly. “We’ve all had our moments.”
“Is it the pregnancy?” Marianne’s expression was understanding. “The slightest provocation reduced me to tears when I was carrying Sophie.”
“It is not that.” Tessa’s voice hitched. “The truth is…I think Harry has lost interest in me.”
She burst into tears again.
As Emma rubbed her sister-in-law’s back, she was actually relieved at the apparent cause of Tessa’s tears. She knew her brother: Harry was head-over-heels in love with his wife. Although he was a private sort who liked to hold his cards close, he’d never seemed happier. Thus, whatever was going on, Emma was confident that Tessa was mistaken.
“But Mr. Kent adores you.” Bea looked confused. “Why would you think he has lost interest?”
“He has been, um, avoiding me for the past few weeks.”
Emma frowned. “Could you be more specific?”
Biting her lip, Tessa said, “Well, he has been working late most nights. And when he comes home, he is tired and well, he doesn’t try to…to you know.” Her cheeks turned rosy. “There has been adefinitechange in his behavior.”
“Doesn’t that coincide with the first weeks of your pregnancy?” Bea asked. “You told us that you’ve been feeling rather ill. Isn’t it possible that Mr. Kent is merely being considerate?”
“Perhaps. I have been casting my accounts nearly every morning. I have also been perspiring profuselyandam showing far earlier than the first time around.” Tessa’s lower lip wobbled. “What man would find that attractive?”
“You should have a talk with my daughter Rosie,” Marianne said dryly. “She had the same harebrained notion that her husband had lost interest when she was with child. When she finally got upset enough to talk to him about it, he reassured her of his affections quite convincingly.”
“But there’s more.” Tessa took a deep breath. “Harry lied to me.”
Bea frowned. “About what?”
“Three nights before I left to come here, he told me he was working late at his office. But he wasn’t at his office.”
“How do you know this?” Em asked.
Tessa sniffled. “I had him followed.”
“Oh, my dear.” Marianne looked torn between amusement and concern. “Are you certain that was the wisest course of action?”
“It is best to know what one is dealing with.” Tessa raised her chin, a defiant spark in her eyes. “My grandpapa taught me that.”
Emma wondered how to explain to the poor dear that her family’s cutthroat methods might not be best suited to marriage.
Instead, she said, “Couldn’t you simply talk to Harry?”
“I have tried, but he keeps telling me nothing is wrong. He even suggested that I was overemotional.” Tessa crossed her arms with a huff. “Me, the Duchess of Covent Garden,overwrought. Imagine that!”
Privately, Emma thought she didn’t have to imagine it: it was happening in front of her. Nonetheless, she understood Tessa’s insecurity and wanted to help.
“Have you specifically asked Harry about where he was that night?” Emma persisted.
Some of the fire left Tessa’s eyes. She shook her head.
“I think you must, dearest,” Marianne said firmly. “For your own peace of mind.”
“But what if…what if it brings about the very opposite?”
“I promise you it will not. I know Harry,” Emma said. “Just talk to him.”
