The Defiant Wife (The Three Mrs #2) - Jess Michaels Page 0,47

tightening.

Pippa shook her head and refused to respond to that. If her mother felt some guilt over what was happening in their fractured family, Pippa had no desire to assuage it. At least not at the moment.

“I will be fine,” she said instead.

“You might consider all your options, you know,” Mary said, cheeks flaming. “The alternatives for making your way in London will be many.”

Pippa wrinkled her brow. “What do you mean? I have no experience in any other kind of service and I have no references.”

Her mother shook her head. “Not service, Pippa.” She shifted and her gaze darted around as if she feared being overheard. When she spoke again, her voice barely carried. “Your father says that earl…your late husband’s brother…he looks at you a certain way. You are a beautiful young woman, my dear. And men will take care of those who provide—”

Pippa staggered away a step as she realized her mother was suggesting she become a man’s mistress. Rhys’s mistress, specifically. “Mama,” she gasped. “Thank you for the suggestion. I will certainly keep it in mind.”

“He owes you,” Mary grumbled.

“If you are still talking about that earl, as you put it, he owes me nothing,” Pippa said. “He is far too decent to be maligned in such a way by you or by my father. I will do anything to assist him, as he has been damaged by this situation as much as any of us.”

Her mother’s gaze met hers and held there a moment. Pippa was horrified to see it filled with pity. “I see,” Mary said softly.

“I think I should go now. I’ve much to prepare and I think you have already spent too much time with a pariah such as me. I will write to you from London.”

Her mother shook her head. “It would not be wise, my dear.”

Pippa stared at her for a moment as that statement sank in. Then she cleared her throat. “Then it appears this is goodbye. I wish you and Father all the best, Mama.”

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears. “And you, Phillipa. Goodbye.”

Pippa turned and rushed to the counter, where she paid for her items, now oblivious to the eyes on her, to the whispers of her name as she left the shop, left her mother, truly left her life behind.

With no hope that the future would bring any more warmth or hope than the past. And it took everything in her not to weep in the street at that thought.

Chapter 14

Rhys glanced across the carriage toward Pippa and frowned. She had been very quiet since her return to the house yesterday afternoon. In fact, quiet wasn’t the word for it. Except for polite responses to questions directly asked of her, or to make directives on what was to be moved or loaded that morning, she had been entirely silent.

And she had not come to his bed the night before. She had barely looked at him at all. Something had happened, something had changed, and he wanted to know what it was.

But he couldn’t ask her right now. Mrs. Barton was riding in the carriage with them while Mr. Barton rode Rhys’s horse outside the vehicle. And Nan had Kenley in the other, smaller carriage behind them, because he was napping.

But there was no privacy for what Rhys thought might turn into a very personal conversation. One he dreaded.

The carriage began to slow, and Mrs. Barton peeked out around the curtain with a smile. “Looks as though we’ve reached the inn. Lor’ I can’t wait to stretch my legs.”

Phillipa flashed a brief smile. “Yes. It’s a long ride.”

Rhys cleared his throat. “But we did the bulk of it today. We’re only a few hours from London now. We won’t have to rush in the morning and will still reach the city before teatime.”

“Excellent,” Mrs. Barton said. “Mr. Barton and I are ready to take ourselves to the new accommodations and get everything ready for you.”

Phillipa covered the housekeeper’s hand. “You are too good to me. I’m so happy you’re both staying on staff and willing to do that work.”

Rhys also smiled at Mrs. Barton. It was a relief, after all. His solicitor in London had procured what was promised to be a nice home just on the edges of the West End, close enough to his home that he could reach them in an emergency, far enough away that he wouldn’t be…

Tempted.

But the home was not fully ready, and so Mr. and Mrs. Barton had made the