Page 42 of A Gentleman's Wife

Chapter Nineteen

After the dance, Marianne was confronted with the same people she’d met before, certain she would never remember them all. Isabel and Emma both stayed close, when they weren’t out socializing on their own or enjoying themselves on the dancefloor. They both looked so elegant and joyful when they danced, and though Marianne had enjoyed the quadrille, she enjoyed it more without the pressure of the audience. Like the dance alone with Thomas in the music room. She wanted more moments like that.

And he had also been true to his word. He could have left her with various guests to fend for herself in conversation, but he remained by her side the entirety of the night. Even during all the other dances, even for the supper. The dancing and socializing continued throughout the night, and Marianne did her best not to falter in her sleepiness. She’d attended plenty of dinners and parties with her family, but never had they stayed so late into the evening.

Around one in the morning, Marianne found herself in conversation with a local pair, Lady Violet and Sir Hubert, and luckily, she had Thomas right by her side, for she found both of them terribly dull and nearly infuriating.

“I always make it known when I take my visits to the poor, so that the effort I’m making on their behalf is not wasted.” The woman spoke with such a distorted understanding of charity, it chafed what little restraint Marianne had left, but she smiled and nodded nonetheless.

“Mrs. Ramsbury, I don’t believe I’ve seen you dance yet this evening,” Sir Hubert said. “Would you be so kind as to join me for the next set?”

Marianne had been asked to dance before, and she’d never been so happy to refuse. “I thank you, Sir Hubert, but I am not dancing this evening. I am much enjoying the conversation with our guests instead.” The words came out smoothly enough, but she did not miss the way Thomas pursed his lips together and looked to the floor in an attempt to stifle his smile.

“Not dancing?” Lady Violet seemed personally offended. “Even though the ball is in your honor? And you, the hostess?” Her voice rose in volume.

“My wife has done nothing wrong, Lady Violet,” Thomas said, his voice kind, but his words pointed. “She danced the opening set and chose to prioritize her guests rather than her dance card. There will be other occasions for her to dance when she chooses, and our present friends will do good to be understanding of that.”

Thomas stepping in to defend her left Marianne speechless with her heart fluttering, so she just smiled at Lady Violet and her husband.

“Of course,” Sir Hubert nodded humbly. “Another time, Mrs. Ramsbury.”

“And we must have you for dinner in our home, of course.” Lady Violet gave a smirk for a smile before nodding at her husband.

“We will leave you to find ourselves some refreshment,” Sir Hubert said.

The four of them bowed and curtsied in parting, and Marianne didn’t release her breath until they were gone.

“And good riddance,” Thomas mumbled, making Marianne giggle. “I don’t mean to overstep my bounds, dear, but she was being most impertinent.”

“No need to apologize on my count,” Marianne reassured him. “Your comment was for my benefit. Coming to my rescue, as you so often do.”

Her smile felt easy and natural, and it matched his own. But when he reached for her left hand, bringing her gloved fingers to his lips, Marianne met his brown gaze.

“Not unwarranted?” he asked in a low voice that only she could hear.

Slowly Marianne shook her head, never looking away from him. “Always appreciated.”

As his thumb traced over her fingers, Marianne wondered if the lateness of the hour had also loosened her tongue. Was her confession neutral enough, or did he see everything else her words meant?

“You’ve done wonderfully this evening,” he said. “Despite what Lady Violet may say, your execution of the event has been flawless.”

Marianne flushed but felt like purring under his praise. “Thank you. Surprisingly enough, I have enjoyed myself immensely as well.”

He held her gaze for another moment before saying, “And did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

This time, when her heart skipped a beat, she cast her eyes to the floor before looking back at him. “Thank you.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow. “You don’t believe me?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but it came out in a sigh. “It might take some time for me to get used to hearing it, is all.”

His other hand reached up, tenderly holding the curve of her jaw, which shortened the distance between them. “Then I’ll continue telling you until you believe it.”

Marianne’s chest swelled at his words. Did he truly find her beautiful, or was he just being kind again? It was hard to tell the difference between the two, but she knew which one she wanted to believe.

When his gaze dropped to her mouth, her lips parted in an involuntary gasp. Surely he didn’t mean to kiss her here and now. They were alone on the side of the ballroom, surrounded by empty chairs as most of their guests occupied the dance floor. But would this place, this moment be the first experience with her husband’s kiss? For if it was, she would not push him away.

His thumb traced over her bottom lip, making her heart thud in anticipation.

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