The Defiant Wife (The Three Mrs #2) - Jess Michaels Page 0,54

first time in a very long time, she couldn’t read him. Was he relieved? Sorry? Angry? Sick? Who knew when he had his lord of the manor expression, inscrutable and distant?

She shifted slightly and continued, “I also want to give you my promise that I’ll never make it uncomfortable for you. We’ll have to see each other regularly because of Kenley. I will be at your service and I’ll never behave in a way that will make things difficult.”

He was still silent, his hands clenched at his sides.

“Please say something,” she whispered.

She held her breath as he ran a hand through his hair. She knew he loved her, even if he never said it. And perhaps there was some part of her that hoped he would. That he would declare himself and that he didn’t care what happened next, that he only wanted to be with her.

A fairytale. A children’s story. But one she wished could come true.

Instead, he stepped forward and cupped her cheeks. He kissed her, slow and deep and for what felt like forever. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead on hers. “Do you regret it?”

She caught her breath at the very idea. “No,” she whispered. “I will never regret it, Rhys. On the contrary, it will sustain me in the years to come.”

“As it will me,” he whispered. He kissed her once more. She clung to his forearms as he did so, memorizing the feel and the taste of him because she realized this was the last time. It put a crater in her heart, but she managed to keep the truth from her eyes as he released her and backed away.

“Goodbye,” he said at the door as he gave her one last look. Then he departed and she was alone.

Goodbye. He’d chosen that word on purpose, she knew. They’d see each other in the morning and many more mornings to come. But it wouldn’t be the same. It would never be the same.

And as that realization ravaged her, she sank down on the bed, his scent still lingering in the sheets and on her body, and cried.

Chapter 16

Pippa’s cheeks hurt from holding the false smile as the carriage turned onto the circular drive of Abigail’s London house. It had been a very long day, thanks to her exhaustion after little sleep the night before and the distance that hung between her and Rhys now. He had ridden the entire day on his horse, never joining her in the carriage. At their break for luncheon earlier in the day, he had sat with Kenley and Mr. Barton.

Their goodbye the night before had clearly been painful for them both, but he was moving on. And she knew it was time for her to do the same. But God’s teeth, did it hurt like the devil.

The carriage stopped and she drew a breath to calm herself as she waited for the footman to open the door and help her out. Kenley squealed, the high-pitched sound ringing in her ears as she bounced in hopes of soothing him. “Yes, it’s been a difficult time. You’ve been so good, though.”

That, of course, did nothing, and when the door to the carriage opened, all on the drive were treated to a squawk that turned into a scream, fun that turned to frustration as quickly as one could say “naptime.”

The footman helped her down and she looked up toward the house. Abigail was standing at the bottom of the steps, Rhys had already swung from his horse and joined her, and with them were Owen and Celeste. All were watching her and as she stepped toward them, Celeste came rushing forward.

“Oh, the baby!” she cooed. “Isn’t he precious?”

Kenley stopped screaming and turned his face into Pippa’s shoulder, and she smiled as Celeste leaned in to kiss her cheek. “A long day has not made our friend here very amenable to new acquaintances.”

“Of course,” Celeste said with a broad smile as she stepped back to Owen and tossed him a hard stare.

There was no misreading its intent. Clearly Celeste was already planning ahead for her own family. And Owen didn’t look opposed to the idea. For a brief moment, the two of them were locked together, wordless communication flowing between them, and Pippa couldn’t deny that she was jealous.

She wanted Celeste to be happy, but knowing she never could be…well, that made it hard to see.

She looked toward the man himself and then slid her gaze away as Abigail stepped toward