Page 103 of The Music of Love

Nobody seemed to have anything to say, and an uncomfortable silence settled over them.

“Shall we return to the pavilion?” Robert finally asked.

They were able to walk four abreast as they were out of the trees.

Stacy put his hand on Portia’s arm and she looked up at him. “How are you feeling, my dear?” His face was tender as he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. It was all Portia could do not to flinch away. She darted a look at Mrs. Charring. What must she be thinking of her lover’s behavior?

But the other woman was staring into the distance, her face expressionless.

Portia took a step back and broke contact with his hand. “I’ve already eaten, napped, and even taken a walk.”

“Is that all? No game of croquet?” Stacy asked playfully. “Were you just waiting for the right partner?”

Portia was sickened by the ease with which he played his part; who knew he had such duplicity in him? “I shall have to pass on the croquet today.”

He was immediately solicitous. “Are you tired? Would you like to go back to Thurlstone? You have a long evening ahead of you.” He looked at his brother. “I’m sure Robert wouldn’t mind if I used his curricle to take you back.”

Robert, who’d been staring at Kitty Charring, tore his eyes away from the beautiful woman with obvious effort. “Absolutely, Bains can have the team hitched in a trice.”

The last thing Portia wanted was to ride back to the castle alone with Stacy. That would be a disaster; she needed time to get control of her temper. “There is no need to rush off before you’ve had a chance to eat. And you should join the next game as they are desperate for fresh blood. I’ll relax under the awning and watch for a while.” Portia moved away quickly, heading for the same chair she’d used before, this time angling it away from the buffet table. She didn’t want to look at either food or her husband. But Stacy followed her and dragged a chair up beside her. He was lowering himself into it when Lady Elizabeth and two other women approached.

“Will you be playing, Mrs. Harrington?”

Portia forced yet another smile. “I’m afraid I don’t have the energy for it today.”

Lady Elizabeth fought unsuccessfully to hide her pleasure. “Then may we steal your husband?” The younger woman’s body swayed toward Stacy’s in a way that made Portia want to rip off her head and smack it with a mallet.

Stacy looked from the flirtatious girl to Portia. “I think perhaps—”

“I’m going to rest. There is no reason you cannot play.”

He paused and smiled at Lady Elizabeth. “Very well. But you must allow me to eat first.”

It was agreed he would have a quarter of an hour before they would collect him. When they left Stacy sat beside her.

“Is aught amiss, Portia?”

Portia looked at her husband, a man she’d come to love with every fiber of her being. He’d done the proper thing when he found out she was pregnant, even though he was in love with another. It was beyond unfortunate that Mrs. Charring had only realized her true feelings for him when it was too late. Portia knew she shouldn’t hate him for who he loved; a person did not get to choose—she knew that better than most. He did not love her, but he’d been kind to her. Clearly he was determined to be a good husband and father even though his heart belonged to another. Portia just wanted to be alone and weep.

Instead she smiled. “I’m fine, but you will be in trouble if you are not ready to play when your admirers return.”

Stacy leaned toward her. “You know very well there is only one admirer I want, Portia. Are you sure you don’t wish to go back?” His voice was low and intimate and it made Portia’s heart ache.

How could he mouth such words when less than an hour ago he’d been holding his weeping lover? She wanted to tell him to quit acting. She wanted to run away and hide where nobody would find her. But she could do neither—at least not until after they left Thurlstone. She’d wait to tell him she wanted a separation until they’d returned home. Surely he would not wish for a divorce until after the child was born?

Portia smiled at him, her cheeks aching. “I’m certain—now go eat; I wish to close my eyes for a while.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but he stood and left her alone. She stole a look from beneath her lashes a few minutes later and saw that Rowena had descended on Stacy and dragged him to join another group.

She waited until the game was well underway before going to find Robert. He was watching three other men compete for Kitty Charring’s attention; the woman was some sort of siren.

“I hate to interrupt, Robert, but would it be possible to have one of the grooms take me back to Thurlstone?” The inevitable clucking and fussing transpired before Portia could convince everyone concerned that she refused to tear any of the revelers away from the fun.

“You cannot leave your guests, Robert. Please tell Stacy where I’ve gone. I hate to disturb him as he seems dangerously close to winning.”

Portia didn’t fully relax until the carriage started down the lane. And then it took all her strength not to weep.

By the time Stacy learned Portia was gone it was too late to catch up with her.