Did he? They rode in silence, leaving him alone with his now uncomfortable thoughts.
“What is odd is that we really had no idea the depth of your feelings for her,” Zach said around a yawn. “No one was more surprised than I when Gabe told me.”
Nathan shot the eldest Deville a look; he returned it with a shrug.
“We don’t have secrets.”
“Of course we have secrets,” Nathan said. “Plenty of them, in fact. We just don’t know that we have secrets.”
“That makes no sense, and yet it does,” Zach said.
“Which makes no sense.”
Chapter Sixteen
The pantomime they were to see would, in the normal course of an evening, be something Beth loved. The atmosphere alone usually excited her.
She’d loved entering society for her debut season. Perhaps because she’d made friends easily. She’d enjoyed every wonderful moment until she’d been forced to leave.
Looking around as she and her mother entered the foyer, Beth remembered that little flash of excitement she used to get. The colors and sights were spectacular. The hum of chattering voices, everyone dressed to be seen.
“Mr. Valentine is over there, dear.”
Reality returned as Beth followed her mother’s eyes and found Gilbert Valentine in a large group of people. He was often admired and sought after. She knew this was due to his association with the king. Ignoring the tightness in her chest, she took her mother’s arm.
“Come, we will make our way to his side.”
People nodded, and she saw again the questioning looks in their eyes. Why had the Carlows left London abruptly three years ago, and why were they now back?
“I was just speaking of you, gal.” A gnarled hand wrapped around her wrist.
“Good evening, Duchess.” Beth curtseyed, her wrist still gripped tight. Her mother did the same.
“I was saying how wonderfully well you read the latestCaptain Broadbent and Lady Nauticusbook.”
The duchess wore emerald, but not a nice emerald. This was garish and actually made Beth’s eyes hurt. She wore a matching pelisse over the top with fur around the edges. It was truly hideous.
“Thank you, that’s very kind.” Beth looked at the group with the Duchess of Yardly. She knew Lord Raine, and his fiancée, Miss Saint-Bonnard. Luckily, she did not see Nathan.
“I say, do you have a book with you?” someone said.
“I hardly think the theatre is the place for an impromptu literary salon.” The duchess looked disgusted at the very thought.
“If you will excuse us.” Beth took her mother’s arm once more and left the group.
Something made her turn—it was instinctive—and she saw him then, with a woman on his arm. A beautiful woman who was smiling up at Nathan just as she used to. The pain in her chest tightened.
She’d known, of course, that he had moved on. That his love had not been as deep as hers had been for him. No, that wasn’t fair; she’d forced him to find someone else to love.
Did he love the woman on his arm?
“Are you all right, Beth? Your breath seems raspy.”
“Of course,” she managed to get out.
They made their way to Gilbert Valentine and joined his group.
“Miss Carlow, how beautiful you look this evening, and your lovely mother also.” Mr. Valentine took her hand and kissed the back. Beth wanted to shudder.
