The Unexpected Wife - Jess Michaels Page 0,27

together, with the women and individually.

“Well, I say we all call on the ladies again tomorrow,” he suggested. “And we can continue trying to parse out exactly what to do next.”

“Excellent,” Gilmore said, and both he and Leighton looked relieved by the idea. “And now I see my servant motioning, so that must mean our supper is ready. Gentlemen?”

Owen followed the men into the dining room, and he should have been thinking about his next move. About whatever subtle thing he could do to read these men and their intentions and motives more clearly.

But instead he found himself thinking of Celeste. And wondering what would happen to her when the smoke had cleared and everyone’s lives had moved on.

Chapter 8

Celeste smoothed her skirt for what felt like the tenth time since she’d stopped before the parlor door. Owen was behind it. Mabel had told her that a moment ago, and also that the gentleman was as of yet alone. Her heart throbbed, her hands shook, both against her will, as she opened the door and stepped inside.

He was standing at the fireplace and turned as the door opened. She caught her breath as he smiled, that broad, welcoming expression that popped the dimple in his cheek and made her want to move toward him.

Made her want to repeat that kiss that should never have happened in the first place. She wanted to cling to those solid shoulders and pretend like it wasn’t wanton or foolish or desperate to do so.

“Good morning, Celeste,” he said as he crossed to the room. His hand flexed at his side as if he might want to reach for her, but he had more self-control than she did.

“Good morning.” Oh, how she wished she didn’t sound so breathless. “It is just you, then?”

“The earl and the duke will arrive shortly,” he said with another quick smile. “They can afford to be fashionably late, while I am forever early, I’m afraid. On time is behind schedule for me.”

“I am the same,” she said. “And so I was up with the sun, ready before nine and pacing the halls like a fool while the other ladies slept.”

He tilted his head. “The other ladies. And how did you find them?”

She moved a little closer and clasped her hands together. “Oh, Owen, they were wonderful. Both of them are so lovely. We talked about the situation we find ourselves in, of course. But then at supper we talked about books and music and the state of the world. We have so much in common, and that which is different is interesting, rather than something that pushes us apart.”

Now he did reach for her, and squeezed her hand gently. “I am very glad for it. I admit I was nervous when I left you last night.”

“Why?” she asked, trying not to focus on the weight of his fingers as they tangled through hers.

He tilted his head. “I blew up your life and I brought you here. I feel a keen sense of responsibility for you. From what I knew of the ladies, I believed you might connect and develop a friendship with them both, but there was always the possibility that it could go wrong.”

“And so you laid awake all night, worrying yourself over me like a mother hen?” she asked.

His pupils dilated. “If I lay awake at night, Celeste, it isn’t motherly thoughts that plague my mind.”

She caught her breath, but before anything could escalate in that charged moment, he released her hand and paced away, his smile replaced with a frown as he ran a hand through his hair.

“I…er…I did make some observations that could be useful to you,” she said, trying to bring him back to her in some way.

It worked, for he turned back, but instead of pressing her to share what she’d learned, he glanced at the door. “I think it might be better to share those thoughts later, when we’re alone.”

Just as he finished the sentence, Paisley announced the arrival of the Duke of Gilmore and the Earl of Leighton. By the time they entered and everyone said their good mornings, Abigail and Pippa had also joined the fray. Owen stepped away, but even when he did, it didn’t change the fact that he’d said they would be alone together later.

Celeste thrilled at the thought, even if she didn’t understand how that would work in the slightest. Not that she had time to ponder it. Abigail directed everyone to sit and casual small talk