“We’refriends. Closefriends,” Meredith said hastily, blurting out the words as if attempting to convince herself as much as Clare. The memory of Griffin standing so tall and handsome beside her last night floated through her mind. There couldn’t be a woman alive who didn’t find Griffin handsome, and he smelled divine too, but that was beside the point. He was Griffin. Her best friend.
“You must admit you make a good-looking pair.” Clare twirled a hand in the air. “You laugh at the same jests. You enjoy the same pastimes. What else would make a happy marriage?”
Compatibility…in bed.
The thought made Meredith’s mouth go dry. The image of Griffin in bed was… Wait. She shook her head. What was Clare saying? She? And Griffin? A ludicrous notion.
“I never intend to marry again. You know that,” Meredith hurried to add. How many times had she repeated that same sentence to anyone who brought up the subject of her ever pairing off again?
Clare continued, fluttering her hand in the air. “I know. I know. But you asked who I pictured Griffin with, and I answered.” Another shrug.
“And even if I wanted to…” Meredith let her voice drift off.
“I know, Mere.” Clare’s voice was filled with sympathy as she reached over and patted her hand. Clare knew her secret, that Meredith was unable to bear children. And she knew that was one of the reasons she would never marry again. She would not saddle a man with a wife who couldn’t bear children. But it was also the reason for herothersecret. The one she was dying to tell Clare. The one she’d been planning to reveal for weeks now. The one she intended to tell Clare just as soon as the conversation allowed.
Quickly changing the subject like the dear that she was, Clare went on to recite several amusing stories about her time in the country with her mother, but Meredith barely heard them. Something else had filled her mind. She? And Griffin? No. Definitely ludicrous. For heaven’s sake, just the very thought was…well, it was…disconcerting at best.
“I cannot believe he fancies a lady and hasn’t told me who,” Meredith finally blurted.
“Are we talking about Griffin again?” Clare asked, blinking.
“Yes, sorry.” Meredith bit her lip. “It’s just distracting me to no end.”
“I can see that,” Clare replied, slowly lifting a brow. “Tell me. Does he love her?”
Meredith blinked again and frowned. “Love who?”
“This woman Southbury intends to ask to marry him. Does he love her?”
“I… why… I didn’t ask him that.” Meredith clapped her mouth shut. Oh, dear.Thatwas a new thought. Why hadn’t she asked him? He’d said he knew who he would propose to. Love had never been mentioned. But now that she thought on it,didGriffin love this woman? Her eyes narrowed. Who was she? And why did it suddenly matter so much that Meredith find outimmediately?
Clare sighed and stretched her arms above her head. “Oh,it’s so nice to be out of mother’s sight even for an hour or two.”
“How is your mother?” Meredith asked, only to be polite. And Clare knew it.
Another sigh. “Oh, Mother is Mother.” She rolled her eyes. “How is your brother?”
Meredith smiled. “Oh, you know Ash. Always fine. Never any problems. Always having fun.”
Clare took another sip of tea. “At leastsomeone’shaving fun. What about Ash? Isheplanning to take a wife this year? He turns thirty as well, doesn’t he?”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “I think it shall take more than a birthday to convince Ashford Drake to take a wife. You know he’s publicly declared he has no intention of marrying. Ever.”
“In front of the King, no less,” Clare said, shaking her head and laughing. “Not exactly the proper way to remain in the good graces of the monarch.”
Meredith shrugged. “Ash doesn’t give a toss. He never has.”
Clare’s smile was bright. “We have that in common. I suppose that’s why I’ve always liked him.” Clare sighed and stood. “I suppose I must be going. Mama will have a conniption if I’m gone too long. You must write me as soon as you discover the identity of Southbury’s mysterious lady. It’s far too interesting of a tale, and it’s far too boring in the country.”
“Rest assured, you’ll be the second to know afterIfind out. But you cannot go yet,” Meredith declared. “There’s something else I need to tell you. Something important. Something…private.”
“Ooh, well then. Let Mama have a conniption. It’ll be good for her,” Clare said as she immediately fell back into her seat and leaned forward. “What is it?”
Meredith bit her lip. “I have plans this Season too.”
“What sort of plans?” Clare asked, waggling her eyebrows.
Meredith cleared her throat. She had not come to this decision lightly, but it would be real if she said it aloud. And Clare was the perfect person to tell first. Meredith closed her eyes briefly and blurted, “I intend to take a lover.”
