Page 50 of A Bride for the Duke of Sin

It was a most inappropriate discussion to be having out in public and even more distasteful to ask Phoebe about it.

“I did not know the lady in question was with child, Lady Dexford,” she replied instead.

“If she was, then who can tell, really?” Scarlett shrugged. “Miss Delaney had a great many suitors, each one more besotted with her than the last.”

But Ethan had never been one of those suitors.

Phoebe shot her friend a grateful smile, and Scarlett subtly winked back at her.

“Mother, you should not pay attention to such gossip,” Lord Dexford told his mother coldly. When he turned back to Phoebe and her friends, he smiled politely and tipped his hat. “Do forgive my mother for her inappropriate talk. I hope to see Your Graces and Lady Scarlett at the opera next week.”

It was a clear indication of his desire to leave, but the Dowager Viscountess did not so easily catch the cues. In the end, Lord Dexford had to usher his mother away before she said more inappropriate things.

“I really do not like that man,” Scarlett muttered under her breath. “Or his mother.”

“You do not like most people,” Phoebe reminded her with a slight smile. “But I appreciate your loyalty.”

The redhead scoffed, but then she smiled good-naturedly. “Even if friendship and loyalty had nothing to do with it, I still do not like him.”

“Well, I know someone else who shares your sentiments.” Evie chuckled.

“Who?”

“Why, Phoebe’s husband, of course,” she teased. “But I suppose that all depends on her.”

“Naturally.” Scarlett nodded.

“Hmm. Naturally.”

“I am right here, you know,” Phoebe sighed, wrinkling her nose. “You need not speak as if I cannot hear you.”

“Perhaps it is yourself whom you cannot hear, my dear,” Evie told her, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Listen to your heart and heed what it is telling you. You either want Ethan or the life you have always dreamed of as a spinster.”

“A not-quite spinster,” Scarlett interjected cheerfully.

Phoebe rolled her eyes. “Is there such a thing?”

“Well, a month ago, I might have deemed it an impossibility, but seeing you right now…” the redhead trailed off with a mischievous grin.

She shared a knowing look with Evie, and both women burst into giggles, much to Phoebe’s frustration.

Her situation with Ethan was indeed rather unconventional. At least they did not regard each other with barely concealed animosity like many married couples in the ton.

And that was only because Ethan respected her boundaries.

Phoebe resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose as she felt a headache coming on. Honestly, she did not think that a considerate husband would be this much trouble.

How was it even possible to be so frustrated with a man who was kind enough to give her the space she asked for?

“You are right, Evie,” she finally relented.

Her friend looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “So, you agree with me?”

Phoebe nodded. “It seems that I have been rather ungrateful and have not truly taken advantage of my situation.”

Evie smiled. “Well, I am glad that you are finally seeing things clearly, my dear.”

“Which is why I have decided to thoroughly dispense of this joke about minding propriety,” Phoebe announced. “With my dear husband giving me free rein, I can finally do whatever I want!”

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