“She’s not jealous of Antonia?”
“Oh, yes. Perhaps most of all. Antonia’s having a child. It’s not that difficult to piece together the issues. Rose has been married for years. No children. Of course, she’s jealous.”
Gabby looked out at the dreary night sky through the carriage windows, knowing Claire was just getting started. She mentally prepared herself for the oncoming lecture. None of her sisters seemed able to help themselves from saving Gabby from herself. Most especially regarding her marriage. Of course, none had seen fit to advise her before her walk down the aisle. So ironic, and, yes, typical.
“How are you and Huntley muddling along?”
And there it is. Gabby’s lips tightened. How dare Claire think to speak of something so personal with Beaumont sitting right there beside her? “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth.
Claire patted her knee. “I know marriage is difficult in the beginning, Gabriella. It will get better. Tell her Beaumont.”
“It will get better,” he repeated dutifully.
Gabby slowly turned her gaze from the window to Claire and her husband. “What makes everyone believe that things are” —she waved out a hand— “so horrid between Huntley and I? Have I confided any such thing to you?” Dear God, could Ryleigh have said something? They did have that one moment where she’d confessed things weren’t what she’d believe they should be. No. This was Ryleigh. The most closed-mouth duke in all of England.
Claire’s jaw dropped, but she recovered quickly. “Almost all marriages start out on shaky ground, darling.”
“Well,” Gabby said in her sickeningly, sweetest voice she could manage under the circumstances, “consider my marriage euphoric unless I specify otherwise.” She glanced back out the window. “Ah, finally. Home.”
The carriage door whipped back, and Huntley was standing there.
Gabby threw herself out of the carriage and into his arms, bypassing the steps she hadn’t waited on, somehow knowing, trusting, he’d catch her. “Good evening, Claire. Beaumont,” she called out. She slid down the hard length of her husband’s body.
His sharp intake was most gratifying. He held onto her until her slippers touched the ground. “Thank you, Huntley,” she said softly.
She stepped back and waved at the departing carriage then spun about, and dashed up the steps and into the dark, egregiously decorated house.
~~~
James had had every intention of confronting his wife of her clandestine actions, but after speaking with Liverpool, he’d found himself curious. And after that grand exit from her sister’s carriage, reluctant. He watched as she disappeared through the front doors where Diggs caught her flying wrap, she tossed at him. This was the perfect opportunity to clear the air clogged with distrust and anger that hung between Gabriella and himself.
His wife was feisty, unpredictable, and stirred his blood like no other. His cock was more than desperate for her. His gaze slowly followed her path while he contemplated his strategy. “Diggs?”
“My lord.”
“Send a bottle of champaign to my wife’s chamber. Immediately.”
“Very good, sir.”
Seven
Dear Gabby. Ever the optimist. I, however, shall remain the realist in this venture of ours. By the bye, I’ve secured a house for our use. Yrs. R
Gabby burst into her bedchamber to a succession of excited yaps. She dashed over to her sitting room and pushed the door back. “Why, hello, Lady Macbeth.” The little dog launched herself in the air and Gabby caught her and was instantly lavished with kisses by a quick pink tongue. “You’re going to do yourself damage, you adorable mutt.” Her little dog was filling out nicely just like her husband. It was the differences in their affections that were so frustrating.
She set Lady Macbeth to her feet and plopped down at her vanity so Brita could pull the pins from Gabby’s hair. “Ow, careful.”
“Apologies, milady.”
A discreet knock sent Lady Macbeth into yapping fits. “Get the door, Brita.”
“Yes, milady.”
Gabby looked up and stopped. She frowned. “Diggs? What on earth is that?”
His eyes went to Lady Macbeth and his expression tightened with disgust, then just as quickly clearing. “Champagne. Compliments of his lordship.”
That was suspicious. And quite out of character. Gabby narrowed her eyes on the staid butler. A complete contradiction to his comely wife. “Why?”
