Bernadette ducked her head and heat filled her cheeks at his appearance and the way his gaze briefly flitted over her. Was he simply acknowledging her or thinking about how he’d found her at Theo’s? If the second, how did he judge that? And would he say what she hadn’t come up with the fortitude to confess to her friends, herself?
But he didn’t. He chatted briefly with their threesome about the roads and the weather. It was innocuous and Bernadette tried to concentrate, but she just kept thinking about Theo and her promise to return when this tea was over.
“I’ll leave you ladies to your time,” Callum said at last, and leaned down to kiss Valaria briefly. “I’m sure my wife will miss you all during our little escape, as will I.”
“Have a wonderful time, Callum,” Flora said with a wide smile on her face. When Bernadette didn’t say anything, still half-lost in her own thoughts, Flora lightly elbowed her.
It jolted her from her distraction. “Oh yes, I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Safest travels.”
He smiled at them all and slipped from the room. When he was gone, Valaria let out a dreamy sigh. “Ten days alone with that man. Bliss,” she said.
“You’ve earned it, too, the way you two had to sneak around for so long while your official mourning period ended,” Flora said. “I will tell you from recent experience that there is no love like blissfully and newly married love.”
Bernadette smiled at their twin giddy expressions, but she felt the sting of them, as well. She might be opening a door to pleasure with Theo, but it wouldn’t end anywhere. It was limited fun and sensation.
“I’m very happy for you both,” Bernadette said, and meant it.
“You realize that now that both of us are settled, we will turn all our attention to finding you the same happiness,” Flora teased her, grabbing her hand and squeezing gently.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Bernadette said with a little shake of her head.
“Please don’t say that,” Flora pressed and now her tone was serious. “I want so much to see you get the happiness you so richly deserve.”
“But Iamhappy,” Bernadette said. “I have a lovely home, wonderful friends, and despite his failings, Tunbridge settled me well, so I have no fear financially. I don’tneedto go searching for someone who does not exist. No, I don’t think I shall ever again light up for a man the way you two do for your very lucky husbands. And I’m content with that.”
She said the words, but she didn’t feel content. Flora’s concern was clear as her smile fell. But Valaria had watched the entire exchange with a more focused expression that Bernadette had tried to avoid. “You say you won’t light up for a man, but I noticed today that you do have a little glow to you.”
At last Bernadette jerked her face toward Valaria. One fine brow on her beautiful face arched in challenge. Bernadette had to be careful now. Theo had said that their group of friends suspected there was something between them, even if they hadn’t guessed exactly what. And since she wasn’t ready to reveal herself, these waters were dangerous to tread.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Bernadette responded. “If I have a glow, perhaps it is from the bit of sun that dared to peek out from the gloomy winter sky a few days ago. I took a little walk in the park.”
“Sun glow,” Valaria said, exchanging a quick glance with Flora.
Bernadette shrugged. “That must be it.”
The teasing in Valaria’s expression faded and she leaned in a little closer. “Are you certain you are well, dearest? This transition where both Flora and I have left the Row cannot be easy. Should I not go on this wedding trip with Callum? Should I stay, do you need me?”
Bernadette stared at Valaria and then Flora and her heart swelled with love for both of them. She knew how much this trip with Callum meant to Valaria and yet she would give it up for Bernadette’s well-being. And she could see Flora would also do anything to secure Bernadette’s happiness. That meant the world.
“You two are the kindest and best friends I could ever have, but I am fine,” she assured them. “And what would make me happiest of all is to see you go off to the countryside for ten days with your husband. And for Flora to keep her happy smile thanks to Roarke. Sogo, you silly thing! Eat wonderful food and stroll around whatever beautiful place he takes you and spend far too many hours doing…what married people do.” She blushed. It seemed she was becoming forward in all things. “Do not think one moment about me, I will be fine.”
More than fine considering she was about to spend those same ten days in a bed with a very talented lover, herself. As Valaria and Flora giggled about that last suggestion, she joined in, understanding it a little more now that she had felt it. Now that she could picture what would happen next and how good it would be. In fact, she couldn’t stop herself from picturing it and found her body reacting even when she didn’t wish it to.
“Bernadette?”
She jolted as she realized Valaria was saying her name. “Yes, what was that?”
“I said that I knew we had spoken about tea, but perhaps you two would like to join us for supper?”
Bernadette shifted. “I actually have supper plans, I’m afraid.” Both women looked at her in confusion and she forced a light laugh. “You aren’t my only friends, you know!”
Flora gave a playful gasp and lifted a hand to her heart as if wounded. “Say it isn’t so!”
“I’m afraid I have a very robust social life which I have been keeping from you both,” Bernadette said even though it was skating dangerously close to the truth. The others didn’t seem to notice, they just laughed at her teasing. “But I know you and I will see each other soon enough, Flora. And we’ll do a gathering of all of us when Callum and Valaria return.”
“We will,” Valaria agreed with a wide smile. “Now I must ask you, Flora, where did you find the fabric for that gown? It is exquisite!”
Bernadette settled back as the talk turned to topics that were less fraught than love or passion or the future. And yet her mind still turned to Theo and what would happen in a few hours when she came to his home and their affair truly began.
