She stilled.
He knew.
She hadn’t been certain after his comment at Hyde Park, but there was no mistaking it now. He knew about Rafferty.
Even if he hadn’t, with his hawkish eyes, he’d have noticed every one of her falters no matter how small. “Giles,” she whispered, unsure what to say.
His hand closed around hers again. “Don’t say anything. They, and this matter, are not worth a single one of your breaths.”
No, they weren’t.
“Smile,” Giles murmured.
“I am smiling,” she said tightly.
“Are you indeed? Then perhaps smile atme.”
“I’m gratified that you’d think that would be of any help.” But she did glance over, and her smile did widen. Her heart gave a flutter. Foolish, foolish, hopeless thing. “Very well, I confess, you were right.”
“See? I am the only one you should be looking at.”
She wished he wouldn’t say things like that. Because every time hedid, she believed him a little more.
Yet the words those women spoke still stuck like barbs.
Damaged goods.
She forced herself to move again, step by step, spine straight. If the gossips were going to gossip, and recognize her, they would see nothing but a woman utterly unbothered. A duchess in truth, whether they liked it or not. A future force to be reckoned with. She supposed she and Giles had this in common. They both wished to reclaim parts of themselves.
Bishop couldn’t takehis eyes off his wife. He had made her smile. That made him ridiculously happy. So damn ridiculously happy. Satisfaction burst to life when the corners of her mouth lifted, the absurd lightness that came on the heels of her smallest grin.
He shot a glare at the women gossiping.
They didn’t even notice him, but it made him feel a little bit better.
He turned back to Alyssia, pulling her closer to him. “Should we get some devil’s tea? I don’t think I’m going to get through this night without it.”
She arched a brow at him. “I’m assuming you’re referring to the wine.”
“What else? Maybe we should spill a glass or two.”
She laughed. “How violent of you.”
“Only in my mind.” He clenched his fists. “For the moment.”
“No violence tonight,” she said softly. “We’re here to listen, to learn.”
“I don’t need to listen and learn anymore,” Bishop grumbled. He hadn’t thought this through enough. He’d just wanted to make her happy, but he’d failed to protect her from whispers. Christ, he’dheaded into the viper’s nest half-cocked and dragged her with him. It didn’t matter that she’d come willingly, he should have had better foresight.
Tomorrow, he was going to march into the House of Lords and end this. He’d claim his title and hers. No one would ever dare pass such tripe about his duchess ever again. “Let’s go home. I’d much rather stare at just you all night.”
She didn’t even pause in her steps. “Be serious.”
“I am. I’m serious about the staring.”
She tried to chide him with her eyes. Failed. “You are impossible.”
He brought her hand up to his mouth and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “And you are luminous.” A vision of his exact opposite. She might not know, but it was in their best interest that he focused his attention completely on her. Diverting his attention to these people only nettled him. He bent closer to whisper. “Wife.”
