Wyatt recognized the gleam in his eye too well. And he knew exactly what Jonah Anderson meant when he planned tomake a night of it.He shook his head. “I can't.”
“Why not?”
Wyatt glanced down. “I sort of… made a promise.”
“To who?” Jonah raised his eyebrows incredulously. “To Lady Highbrow?”
“ToHer Grace,” Wyatt hissed. “I am married now, Anderson. Surely you did not expect things to carry on just as they did before?”
Jonah folded his arms indignantly. “As a matter of fact, I seem to remember you using those exact words. You told me that nothing would change after you married Miss Henford. That your life would go on just as it did before.”
He's right. I did say that.The realization brought him a pang of regret. Somewhere at the back of his mind, he found himself wondering how things might have played out if hehadmarried Henrietta. Would he be standing here telling Jonah he no longer wished to frequent the gambling halls? Somehow, he doubted it.
“Well,” he said, “sometimes things do not turn out the way we expect.”
Jonah looked at him quizzically, as though trying to determine the meaning behind his words. “Listen, Larsen. Whatever promise you made Lady High—toHer Grace, this is important.” He dropped his voice slightly, though there was no one around to overhear. “There's something I need to tell you. SomethingI really need your advice about. And I'd rather discuss it somewhere we might be a little more hidden.”
Wyatt hesitated. In spite of the promise he had made to Gemma, he did not want to let his friend down. He and Jonah had had each other's backs since they were children; he had no intention of abandoning him now, just because he had married.
But what if Gemma finds out? It had been mere hours since he had promised her his visits to the gambling halls were over. And he knew well that her hatred of such places was well founded. Knew how much she and her family had suffered as a result of her father's gambling addiction.
“Somewhere more hidden?” he repeated. “Where could be more hidden than here?”
Jonah snorted. “Please. You've half of London strolling around this place waiting on you hand and foot. Anyone could overhear. Come on. Let's go to White's. Please, Larsen.” Jonah took a step toward him, an intense look in his eyes. “I wouldn't ask if it weren't so important.”
Wyatt sighed. He would find some way to explain himself to Gemma. If she even bothered to ask. Or notice he was gone. “Fine. But this is the last time. Understood?”
Jonah flashed him a relieved smile. “Perfectly.”
Gemma stood at the window in her bedchamber, watching as dusk drew long shadows over the garden. She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. After hergrandmother's visit today, the weight on her shoulders did not feel quite so unbearable.
Grandmother's visit? Are you quite certain that is what is making you feel better?
Gemma could not deny that her conversation with her husband in the garden had gone some way—some small way, she assured herself—to improve her mood. And that was certainly a first. Usually, when she found herself in the company of Wyatt Felps, she left feeling a thousand times more dreadful than she had before.
Might I have been wrong about him? Just a little?
Yes, he was a cocky, arrogant cad with a string of bad behavior in his wake. But that afternoon, she had seen a side to him that felt genuine. Kind. She had seen a man whom she did not feel quite so horrified to have a husband.
This changes nothing, she told herself firmly. Just because he had shown himself to have a little decency did not mean she would let the Dowager Duchess win. She was not going to give in at the first word of kindness from the Duke.
In the back of her mind, she heard her grandmother's voice, scolding her for thinking of her marriage as a competition to be won or lost. And yes, some distant part of her could see the foolishness of it. But right now, it was all she had to cling to.
Nevertheless, as she rang for her maid to help her dress for dinner, she found she was not quite dreading the meal as much as she had in the past. Perhaps there was even a small part of herself that was looking forward to it.
Chapter Sixteen
“It seems your husband will not be joining us tonight.” Did Gemma detect a hint of a smile on the Dowager Duchess's lips? In any case, her tone of voice suggested she had enjoyed delivering the news.
Gemma forced herself to keep her voice level, despite the way her heart was crashing with disappointment. “Is that so?” Anger began to gather inside her. The Duke had been the one to approach her today; the one to suggest they might become friends. And at their first meal since, he had decided not to show himself? Without bothering to notify her of his absence?
I do not know why I am surprised.
Gemma had learned well enough who Wyatt Felps was. Her two days with him at the Henfords' party had taught her more about him than she ever wished to know. He could smooth-talk her as much as he wished, but she knew that men like him were not to be trusted. Her father had taught her that. Time and time again.
Nonetheless, she was determined not to let the Dowager Duchess sense her irritation. She forced a demure smile. “Verywell,” she said shortly. “I am sure he will have a pleasant evening.”
The Dowager Duchess reached over and patted Gemma's wrist. “Not to worry, my dear. I am sure wherever your husband has gone, it must be important.”
