The Unexpected Wife - Jess Michaels Page 0,5

her mother. “Then I would have been able to have this conversation in private had I not been calling here. I am an adult, this is my…my problem, and I would like a moment alone to discuss it further with this man. Please do not make me leave this house and force him to follow me.”

Her mother huffed and was surely about to launch into a tirade when Mr. Gregory got to his feet. “My lady, your desire to support your daughter does you credit. But I can see how overwhelmed she is. Perhaps it would be better to allow her a moment with all this. I know you care enough to grant her that boon.”

Lady Hendricks pursed her lips, and Celeste could see her struggling. To deny what he said would be to admit she didn’t care about Celeste’s feelings. And she desperately wanted to appear like that was her main concern. So he had effectively trapped her.

Celeste looked at him closely. Had he meant to do so? Or was it accidental?

His gaze slid to her and he gave a very small nod. The action warmed her. So he had meant to protect her. A kindness she appreciated, just as she appreciated the other kindnesses he had shown to her since his arrival. Certainly many a man would have made this much harder.

“I suppose I understand,” her mother grumbled. She glared at Sir Timothy as if this were his fault. He hardly responded at all, probably because he was accustomed to such things. “Come, then.”

She pivoted without another word and flounced from the room, Sir Timothy trailing behind her. Celeste shook her head in frustration at the fact neither had closed the door behind themselves. She moved to do so and then leaned on it. Mr. Gregory arched a brow.

“I would not do something so improper,” she explained on a sigh. “But she is surely attempting to listen in.”

He smiled, but it wasn’t mocking or cruel, just something soft that made that dimple pop in his right cheek again. “Perhaps she means well.”

Celeste laughed, though she found nothing amusing about this situation. “If that makes this more palatable to you, I will allow you to think that.” She moved to the sideboard. “Now let me try to be a better hostess than I have been. I’m going to have the tea you suggested earlier. Would you like some of the same?”

He nodded. “Please. No milk or sugar.”

She poured them each their cup and then motioned him to sit. They each did, she on the settee this time so she could look at him straight on. He did the same as he set his cup aside and leaned forward, draping his forearms over his thighs.

“I must ask you some questions,” he said softly.

She blinked as she realized he meant about the murder. Questioning her about the murder. A strange thought. “Certainly,” she choked out.

“Where were you four days ago?” he asked.

She sucked in her breath. “Was that when he—”

She couldn’t finish the sentence and he didn’t respond, just held her gaze evenly. His face revealed nothing to her about his thoughts, either negative or positive.

“I was here in Twiddleport,” she said as she thought back to the day in question. “I will try to recreate my movements. Let me see, I was at my home during the morning. At one I took a meeting with—” She cut herself off with a blush. It seemed there would be humiliation after humiliation now.

“With whom?” he pressed, so softly the words barely carried.

“With the owner of the home I live in. My landlord, Mr. Greenley. He was insisting that Erasmus had not paid our rent and I was equally firm that he must have.” She shook her head. “Though now I doubt it. The meeting lasted an hour.”

“You are certain?” Mr. Gregory pressed.

She nodded. “I shall not soon forget that humiliation. Nor this one.”

That caused a response. Mr. Gregory visibly flinched and inclined his head toward her. “My deepest apologies, Mrs. Montgomery.”

Now it was her turn to recoil. “Mrs. Montgomery. Am I that? I’m not, not if there were two other wives. Nearly three.” She bent her head. “God’s teeth.”

“Would you prefer I call you Miss Hendricks?” he asked.

She choked out a laugh. “That name comes with its own set of troubles, as you have seen.”

He was silent a moment, watching her closely again. Reading her, she was certain, though she had no idea of the outcome of his observation. Finally, he said,

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