Page 65 of A Gentleman's Wife

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Eliza helped Marianne dress for Lady Violet’s dinner, and even despite her apprehensions, she did not fear. She knew she would have friends present, Mrs. Shelton and Mrs. Hancock, and besides that, Marianne would have her husband by her side. Now that their relationship shared a deeper connection and bond, she had nothing to fear. Thomas would let her do as she wished, but she could always depend on him to defend her and protect her if needed.

Marianne wore a beautiful soft pink dress, her hair done up in an elegant twist with one lone curl hanging over her shoulder. She thought back to the morning kiss Thomas had bestowed there, but she swallowed hard and finished getting ready. The sooner they arrived, the sooner they could return, which was all she wanted. More time with him.

Once she was ready, Marianne made her way downstairs and spotted Thomas waiting for her by the door. When he lifted his eyes to her, she grinned widely, her heart swelling with love at the sight, but something was different. He did not bear the same look of adoration he’d given her that morning. His eyes were the same familiar dark brown, but his smile did not quite reach them. He squared his shoulders stiffly with his hands behind his back.

Her right hand did not cramp, but muscles throughout her body immediately tensed as her heart filled with uncertainty.

“How lovely you look,” he said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it gently.

The simple gesture made a world of difference for her nerves, even if he still did not smile.

“Thank you. You as well. Very handsome.” She leaned toward him and fiddled with his cravat, but not for long. He provided her shawl before offering her his arm and escorting her out to the carriage. Once they were seated, he tapped on the ceiling and the carriage lurched forward as he turned his gaze out the window to the darkening world around them.

Marianne waited to see if he would speak, tell her how his day went, what Grandfather had visited for, or what had him so changed. She tried not to let herself jump to conclusions, but her mind was already leaping in every direction, and she couldn’t remain silent for long.

“How was your business with Grandfather?” she asked lightly.

Thomas sighed, slowly turned and met her gaze within the darkened carriage. His brown eyes were steely and emotionless, bringing all her fears to the forefront.

“Not at all how I would have hoped.”

Marianne scooted closer to him on the seat. “What happened?”

“I don’t know if I can bring myself to say it.” He shook his head, turning back toward the window. “I will tell you, once I figure out the solution.”

Swallowing hard, Marianne nodded. “Very well.” Her heart pounded inside her chest, unsure of how to take this lack of explanation. “Thomas, are you all right?”

He took a long inhale before nodding. “I will be. Everything will be fine.”

And though his tone did not match his hopeful words, he pressed his lips to the side of her forehead, no doubt an attempt to calm her nerves.

Marianne tried to still all her wild thoughts and emotions. Part of her rushed with panic. What if he’d changed his mind? What if he’d decided she wasn’t enough for him? After the illusion of love had worn off, maybe he didn’t want her after all. The fears fired off, one after another, until she thought she would go mad.

But Thomas holding her hand was the only thing keeping her sane inside the carriage. And he’d told her she looked lovely, and he’d kissed her forehead. Surely these things weren’t just to appease her for the time being. He wanted her, at least in some form, for she’d already experienced it. And he was accompanying her to the dinner party that he, without a doubt, did not want to attend. She could trust him. She just kept telling herself that. She could trust her husband.

They arrived at Lady Violet’s estate, which was filling with guests and glowing with excitement, both things Marianne would have gladly done without. She and Thomas entered and gave their greetings, all the while receiving Lady Violet’s false praise and attentions. And almost immediately after they’d been gathered in the drawing room, Sir Hubert appeared to greet them.

“How wonderful you have come,” he said with a friendly bow. “Do you mind, Mrs. Ramsbury, if I borrow your husband for a moment?”

Marianne was not keen on being left alone, but perhaps they needed to play nice to avoid a greater gap with their noble neighbors. “If the moment is brief.”

“Excellent.” Sir Hubert patted Thomas soundly on the back. “You must join us in the card room. As host, I insist.”

Marianne did not miss the roll of Thomas’s eyes, and she felt guilty for her amusement.

“Are you certain you’ll be all right?” he asked glumly.

“Of course. You do what you must. I will be fine here.”

“Very well.” He nodded, leaning forward. “I will not be so rude as Lord Slanton had been to us,” Thomas mumbled, his low voice tickling her ear. “But if I have not returned in a quarter hour, please send for me in order to spare my life from Sir Hubert’s boredom.”

Marianne bit her lip to stifle a laugh but nodded when he pulled away. She thought she caught a glimpse of hunger and desire in his gaze, but just as quickly as she’d seen it, Thomas and his dark eyes had gone.

Deciding not to be a wallflower, Marianne glanced around the room with hopes of finding familiar faces. She spotted Mrs. Shelton who was already in conversation with another couple, but Marianne was glad to see another friendly person in the room.

Those emotions were immediately squelched when another woman came into view, as Lady Slanton appeared and made her way across the room in Marianne’s direction.

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