Page 86 of Harpy of the Ton
“No, my love,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “But perhaps Thomas is—and you can help him.”
The boy nodded, then ran toward Thomas, his siblings in tow.
The newlyweds emerged, amid cheers from onlookers, then climbed onto a cart decorated with ribbons and flowers. Sophie tossed her posy into the air, and a volley of eager hands thrust upward until a young girl—Rosie Hall—caught it with a squeal of triumph.
“That’ll be Mr. Hall needin’ to save every bit of spare cash if their Rosie’s next down the aisle,” Lawrence said.
“Must you say such things?” Bella retorted. “If you have nothing kind to say, you should keep quiet.”
His eyes widened. “I only meant that daughters are expensive.”
“And sons aren’t?”
“Bella, love, you know what I meant.”
“I know perfectly well what you meant,” she said, pulling herself free. “Women are a burden, to be cast aside when we’re no longer wanted.”
“Bella, what nonsense is this?”
“Do you really wish to know? I—”
“Mrs. Baxter!” a voice cried, and she turned to see Ned Ryman approaching. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“No,” she said bitterly. “Nothing of any importance.”
“Good.” He glanced at Lawrence and frowned. Then he took Bella’s hands. “I want to thank you for all the help you gave my Sophie. Her gown looks right pretty, it does. And I’m glad to see that Lawrence here isn’t so mean with your housekeeping that he refusesyousomething pretty. That ribbon looks lovely. Sets off the color of your gown just perfect.”
He tipped his hat, then returned to the throng to embrace the bride and shake the groom’s hand.
Lawrence narrowed his eyes and glanced at her gown.
Bella placed a protective hand over the sash. “It was a gift,” she said. “I-it didn’t cost anything. I know we can’t afford it.”
Once again guilt flickered in his eyes. “You think I’m such a poor husband that I’d begrudge my wife something pretty?”
She opened her mouth to reply.
No—because you want another woman.
Then she closed it again. Why ruin such a happy day? And what would the revelation that she knew of his infidelity achieve?
She glanced around the company and caught sight of Mrs. Chantry, eyes on her, nose wrinkled in a sneer. Her breath caught in her throat as she fought to suppress a sob.
“Bella?”
Why must he speak so tenderly? She could better weather his teasing, for at least then she could fight back.
“I know what they say about me,” she said. “That I’m a hussy—a wayward wife who only cares for herself.”
He pulled her into his arms, and she fought the instinct to yield.
“That ain’t true,” he said. “You care a great deal for others—you take care of my home, my children.”
There it was again—myhome,mychildren. As if she had no right to be here.
His lips touched her forehead, his breath a warm caress, and her body tightened with the need to be cherished.
“Come on, Bella, love,” he said. “Let’s go.”
