Chapter Three #2
“I have noticed that.” When he rested his gaze on her, there was a certain puzzlement to his expression she couldn’t figure out. “It has been challenging as of late, I’ll admit, but outside of running away, I don’t see how we can fix any of it just now.”
“Please don’t let that be a rift between you.” Vivian waved a hand in dismissal. “Francis and I have both made mistakes in our past and nearly destroyed our marriage, but things have been lovely for the past year or so. Things will settle once the children grow and can be sent away to school.”
The thought of sending either of the children far from home sent hot panic into Mary’s chest. “Oh, I don’t—”
“I quite agree,” Francis interrupted with a merry grin. “From everything Gabriel has written, your children are both bright and quite intelligent. Any school worth their salt will snap them up, and I can even put in a few good words at various institutions to help the process.”
Bright nodded. “That is much appreciated, but we won’t need that any time soon.”
“Time moves so quickly, though, brother. I’ll send out a few letters once the house party is over.”
“Thank you,” Mary said in a faint voice as worry continued to batter her.
Was that the best option for either of her children?
They weren’t raised like children in the beau monde, and were distrustful of others due to their time on the streets.
How would they get along with others their age?
Would they feel less than or embarrassed at where they came from due to their lack of pedigree?
And more to the point, was she doing wrong by them only having in tutors or their governess?
Her husband leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Our children will let us know when they need to move on to something else in their own time.”
“Right.” With a nod, she bounced her gaze between Francis and Vivian. “Thank you for this interlude and for letting us meet your new baby. I’m quite happy for you.”
“We shall see you at the rout.” Then Bright ushered her from the room, for the event would start quite soon.
An hour later, they did the pretty and mingled with other guests while waiting for the room to be opened to dancing.
Eventually, she and Bright separated to talk with people not as a couple.
When she came to a stop near one of the windows, she stayed at the side of the room merely to watch people in the room and how they interacted with each other.
Perhaps she’d learned too well from her husband when he was in detective mode, but it also gave her immense satisfaction to discern different undercurrents and small expressions that no one seemed aware they were showing.
Then her gaze landed on her husband as he joked and laughed amidst a group of admirers, both male and female.
Of course he was congenial with everyone, and he was very popular with the ladies; he couldn’t help being charming, and that always drew a crowd.
That and he was handsome and his tone of voice was thrilling. How could someone not notice him?
She stifled a sigh of admiration, for he was stunning, as always, in his black formal clothes.
The pristine folds of his snowy cravat drew an observer’s gaze to the sharp jawline, sensual lips, and his intense hazel eyes, then finally that head of thick, full hair.
There were no typical signs of aging on him as there were on other men his age, for he worked hard to keep a belly paunch at bay and his muscles strong.
Will I ever tire of seeing his form both clothed and unclothed?
After a few moments, he raised his gaze, trained it across the room and met hers. With a half grin that never failed to send butterflies through her lower belly, the inspector made his way through the crowds to join her.
“Life is infinitely better when such a beautiful woman lights up the room.” Flirting infused his voice, and mischief sparkled in his eyes. “I adore when you wear that purple hue.”
Heat went through her cheeks. “That’s good, for I’ll probably wear this gown a second time this week.” It had been far too long since her husband teased her in public. “I only brought three gowns.”
“No one will notice, love, for it is your face and eyes that will grab the attention.” Before she had an opportunity to respond, he edged closer, and immediately the scent of his shaving soap enveloped her in sandalwood, orange, and spice.
Concern shadowed his eyes. “I apologize that we haven’t had time alone together. ”
She nodded. “It happens, I suppose. We’ve been together a couple of years…”
“Three in December,” he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
“Yes, I know.” The flirting tugged a smile from her. “I remember that time fondly, for it began in this very manor house. However, I miss the time we had together, before the children.” She hadn’t meant to admit that, especially during the rout, but there was nothing for it.
Gabriel frowned as he took one of her hands. “Do you regret adopting them?”
“No, of course not!” Not knowing what else to do, she shook her head.
“They’ve changed my life, brought you and I closer, turned us into a family; how could I have regrets?
” Her chin quivered with excess of emotion, and she clung to his hand.
“With Henry married now, and your business in demand, and the children growing, everything is so busy, always changing. It feels as if I haven’t had time to catch my breath or even enjoy each phase of our lives. ”
“It’s a whole new world we are navigating.”
“Yes.” Why wouldn’t he reassure her that they would come out all right?
Throughout the conversation, she hadn’t been aware the carpets had been rolled back and the furniture moved to the sides of the room.
A pianoforte had been brought into the room, and one of the young ladies had been implored to play. “Would you dance with me, Gabriel?”
“Of course.” Without comment, he escorted her into the makeshift dance floor. “Ah, a Continental style waltz. Impressive that my brother chose this.”
“Well, the years are growing more progressive, and such things are more acceptable than they once were.” This sort of dance meant a couple didn’t switch partners.
“Thank goodness for that.” Then the pianist began her set, and the couples assembled in the room moved in the steps of the waltz. “This would be so much more romantic if we were in the ballroom with more floor space,” he groused.
“Yet the close quarters ensure men can hold their partners closer,” she responded in a whisper as she peered up into his face. It was the height of romantic being here like this with him, and suddenly she wished they were alone.
“True.” But through the remainder of the dance, he didn’t speak much, and when he did, it was about the children or to discuss a few of the events planned throughout the week.
A wash of cold disappointment went through her insides. Did he not wish to be romantic any longer or was it simply something that didn’t occur to him? When the waltz ended, she was only too glad to have that connection of touch broken else it might bring her to tears for what they once had.
“You seem sad, love. Why?” he asked in a whisper as he guided her to the side of the drawing room and then out into the corridor where many other guests gathered and milled about, all laughing and talking.
“Perhaps I’m missing home.” It was a vague answer, of course, but what else could she say that hadn’t already been mentioned? If the man couldn’t take the hint, what hope was there?
“I know the feeling, but let’s put that from our minds.”
“Why?” Truly, his swing in moods baffled her.
“I thought it wise to escape upstairs while everyone is occupied here and elsewhere. Let the younger people dance the night away. I have another form of exercise in mind tonight.” Again, he gave her that grin that had butterflies erupting in her lower belly.
“As if we are so ancient,” Mary managed to murmur though she laid a hand on his arm.
“While I agree, there are better ways to spend the time than doing the pretty with Francis’ guests, don’t you think?”
“I do, rather.” Excitement twisted down her spine. “In fact, I thought you’d never ask.”
“Forgive me for the delay. It’s been an over-stimulated day.”
By the time they reached their shared room, she felt hopeful again.
As soon as Bright opened the door and ushered her in, her gaze fell to a small basket full of springtime blooms in a riot of pleasing colors—yellow green Lady’s Mantle, cheerful tulips of white and pink, scented white narcissi, pale yellow wood anemones, white-blossomed blackthorn and hawthorn hedges, as well as the ever-popular bluebells.
“What a lovely display!” Immediately, she crossed the floor to examine the arrangement. “A May Day basket. Thank you for having them brought up, Bright. It’s much appreciated.” It had been months since he’d last done something frivolous and thoughtful like that.
“Uh…” Her husband closed the door with a frown. “While I agree they are lovely, I didn’t order them.” His expression suggested that was the truth.
“Oh.” She picked through the flowers with gentle fingertips. “Look. Here’s a note.” It was a single slip of paper folded twice. When she unfolded it, she read the scrawled writing. “’From an admirer who thinks you deserve to be celebrated and made to feel special’.”
“How intriguing.”
She nodded. “It’s much like a mystery.” With a chuckle, she placed the paper next to the basket. “We can’t seem to escape such things.” Yet it didn’t matter who had sent the flowers. There was a certain delight in receiving them and being thought of.
“Interesting, indeed, but I agree with the writer of the note. You do need to feel special, and I have been lax in that in recent weeks.” When he removed his gloves, there was a certain wicked gleam in his eyes. “Do you still wish to get up to scandal tonight?”
“Nothing could stop me from doing just that, so do make certain you’ve locked the door, Bright. I’m feeling quite needy just now.” She couldn’t help her own grin as she took off her gloves, dropping them one by one onto the bureau top.
Finally, they could work at repairing their romance, and she hoped to goodness it wasn’t as far gone as she assumed.