Page 54 of A Gentleman's Wife

Marianne opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Thomas was the most excellent of men, there was no doubt in her mind about that. He was considerate and sweet, and so patient with her. And she’d thought of nothing but his kiss since that day, despite the doubts that plagued her. Why had he rushed away? Had he simply been testing the waters before insisting on having his heir, and then thought better of it? Or perhaps after having kissed Marianne, she had disappointed him, or reminded him of kissing another, like the countess? They were heavy questions, too much to consider before tea.

“Perhaps. I will think on it a great deal. Thank you for confiding in me, Eliza. I wish you every happiness.”

Eliza smiled. “Thank you, but enough about me. We need to get you ready for this tea visit.”

They made their way downstairs, and Marianne settled in to wait in the drawing room. She counted each tick of the grandfather clock, trying not to hold her breath until it chimed the hour. And suddenly, the guests entered all at once: Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Shelton, and Lady Violet. Marianne stood to greet them and invited them to sit. They’d seemed friendly enough at the ball, from what she could remember of it, and it seemed a safe enough group of visitors, save for Lady Violet.

“Thank you ever so much for the invitation,” said Mrs. Shelton. She was a young, pretty woman, only recently married herself, and Marianne hoped to make her better acquaintance.

“Indeed. I should very much like to know the new mistress of Primrose House, for I was friends with your husband’s grandmother many years past.” Mrs. Hancock held a special sparkle in her wrinkled eyes, and Marianne longed to hear all her stories about Thomas’s late family.

“You are very lucky to have such fine taste in acquaintances, Mrs. Ramsbury,” Lady Violet said with a wink. “For of your guests from the ball, we are certainly the finest of local company.”

Marianne tried to ignore the self-indulgent compliment. “Thank you, Lady Violet. The tea should be along shortly.” Then she turned to Mrs. Shelton. “How did you find the ball? Was it to your liking?”

But it was Lady Violet who spoke. “It was perfectly adequate, though the lighting was a little too low for my tastes, and the dinner did not have as many courses as I would have expected. But altogether charming, my dear.”

“It was lovely, though I was not able to find you at the end of the night to bid you farewell and to thank you for the invitation,” Mrs. Shelton said.

Ah yes. After which point the night felt ruined in Marianne’s eyes. “Please accept my apologies. I believe I overexerted myself on that front, and retired early, leaving my dear husband to carry on without me.”

“Though you didn’t dance but the once, did you?” Lady Violet asked.

“There is a great deal involved with hosting a ball aside from dancing, isn’t that true, Lady Violet?” Mrs. Hancock said, and Marianne was even more grateful for her presence.

“Oh, of course, I only mentioned it.”

“I was feeling unwell by the end, but I have since recovered.” Marianne pressed her lips together and hoped her smile appeared genuine enough.

“Well, I hope it was nothing too serious,” Mrs. Shelton said.

“Indeed. I suppose it is too soon for you to be indisposed with confinement, though it was speculated that perhaps it wouldn’t be an option at all…”

Marianne’s blood ran cold. What could Lady Violet be insinuating? And directly to her face?

“Lady Violet, surely that’s none of our business,” Mrs. Hancock said sternly.

“I only asked to inquire about her condition, though I think that condition is not the one we need be concerned about.”

The breaths were becoming more difficult now. Was she continuing what Grandfather had drunkenly stated in the ball, about Thomas not taking her to his bed? It was true that they hadn’t, that she didn’t… but it had been a mutual agreement. She wanted time to accustom herself, and he needed time to overcome his love for the countess. Or did Lady Violet imply that perhaps she knew more about Marianne’s difficulties than she let on?

Before she was forced to think of a way to respond, the drawing room door opened, and Mrs. Bamber brought in the tray of tea.

“Ah, the tea has arrived,” Marianne said, smiling at each of her guests, though on the inside she was trembling.

After Mrs. Bamber had set the tray on the table before them, Marianne realized the ladies waited for her to pour the tea. She’d done this plenty on her own but had not thought to practice pouring for others, and she didn’t want to draw the attention to her left hand, for fear of needing to balance it with her right. Instead, she glanced urgently at the housekeeper and motioned her over. “If you’d be so kind as to pour the tea for our guests, Mrs. Bamber.”

The woman did not flinch. “I would be delighted, madam.” She quickly poured tea into the dainty porcelain cups and presented them to Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Shelton, who accepted them gracefully. Though when the tea was presented to Lady Violet, she lifted her chin and looked off in offense.

“What kind of woman of the house doesn’t pour her own tea?” Lady Violet scoffed behind her fan.

Marianne’s heart began to race. “This isn’t an intended slight, Lady Violet. I simply…” She couldn’t divulge her lack of abilities to this viper, for the woman would only use it as a weapon against her.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

When Thomas entered the room, Marianne was convinced she’d never loved him more than in that moment.

He immediately stood beside her, taking her left hand in his. “How wonderful you’ve all come to visit my wife. Are you enjoying your tea thus far?”

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