Mrs. Piedmont lifted one corner of her mouth in the sort of smile you gave to someone to whom you delivered bad news. “Tobias is a good man, and I wish him to be happy, even if he can never have a marriage founded on love. I am so sorry to you as well, Miss Maggie.
“You are quite brave marrying a man who loves another. I see I have upset you, but I thought it best for you to know. So you do not get your hopes up that your marriage will turn into anything more. You know?”
Now not only did Maggie’s hands tremble, tears flooded her eyes. She held them back with every ounce of strength she possessed. “I do not—”
The bell above the shop door rang out. “Mags!” Tobias’s voice echoed down the hall and through the open drawing room door. “Mags! Where are you? Have you and Hen had enough time? I’ve been alone in the study all day long to let you put your wardrobe in order, but Sebastian is poor company compared to you. All he does is talk, talk, talk, and you wrap your lovely pink lips around—” Tobias stumbled to a stop, his gaze swinging between the two women. He ran a hand through his hair, straightened his waistcoat, then bowed low. “Mrs. Piedmont. Pardon me. I thought my wife alone. Or with Hen. And I’m okay mortifying her.”
He sauntered into the room and stood before Maggie. His body bowed toward her. His eyes searched her face. His hands sought out her wrists and gently circled them, pulling her to her feet. “Hello. Do we kiss or not in front of others?” His voice caressed her ear, a mere whisper.
And all of her uncertainty dissipated. Maybe he had loved Mrs. Piedmont once upon a time, but he loved her now. His every move and look and word confirmed it. She shook her head and took her seat once more.
He sighed dramatically. “As you wish.” He stood behind her chair, rested a warm hand on her shoulder, and smoothed his thumb up and down the back of Maggie’s neck.
She peered up at him.
But he stared directly at Mrs. Piedmont.
Who shot a victorious grin at Maggie.
Sympathy for Mrs. Piedmont shot through Maggie’s chest. Tobias’s posture, his gaze, both were clear statements. He stood with his wife. Maggie took a deep breath. “Should I ask one of the shopgirls to bring a pot of tea? I’m sure you two would like to catch up with one another.”
Mrs. Piedmont stood. “Perhaps some other time. I must return before Mr. Piedmont worries. If he doesn’t see me every hour, he quite loses his mind.”
Tobias snorted. “Reginald Piedmont? The man’s half asleep at the best of times. I’ve only ever seen him wild about hotel layouts. But I confess my observations did not last very long as his thoughts on the subject quite lulled me to sleep. Even wild, Mr. Piedmont is bor—”
“Well.” Mrs. Piedmont sniffed and lifted her chin, her body growing rigid. “I shall tell Reggie you say hello.”
Tobias wiggled his fingers at her. “If you must. Ta-ta. Shall I give your regards to Hen?”
Mrs. Piedmont swept from the shop, regal as a queen.
Tobias shrugged. “I guess not. Where is Hen, by the by?” He looked about the shop nervously.
“Mrs. Piedmont sent her to retrieve her new gown. She’s not returned.”
“Hiding, likely. Henrietta always liked the idea of Celia more than Celia herself.”
Maggie could commiserate.
Tobias circled around in front of her and kneeled, taking her hands and chaffing them in his. “Are you all right? Celia can be a shrew. Did she … did she say anything?”
“She said quite a bit.” Her words felt like bullets, and now that the threat of a broken heart proved unfounded, a new emotion poured into her—agitation. No, annoyance. No, no. Anger.
Tobias rocked back on his heels. “Ah. I see.”
“Do you?”
“She told you of our shared past.”
Maggie nodded. “You were in love with her.”
“Maybe?” He pushed to his feet, shaking his head. “I certainly thought so then. I question that estimation now.” He growled a curse. “It was in the past, Maggie, and no longer matters. I did not wish you to know of it.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“It does not signify. She does not signify. She changes nothing between us.”
“You wished to marry her.”
