When a Rogue Meets His Match - Elizabeth Hoyt Page 0,88
longing for Gideon overwhelmed her. She missed him.
Damn him.
The man had betrayed her, and his only worry was finding a way to lure her back into his bed. As if his lies and deceit could be simply forgotten. Even his gifts were insulting. She loathed cut flowers. They died and left a cloyingly sweet scent in the air.
If only his regard had been true. If only she could trust that his feelings were real when he looked at her with those wicked black eyes.
“We had a small wedding,” Freya said, interrupting her brooding thoughts. “In the village church near his country house. It was lovely.”
“But were any of your family there?” Lady Holland asked with interest.
“I’m afraid it was just us and the witnesses,” Freya said apologetically.
“Fancy if your brother the duke had come,” Regina exclaimed. “There would have been two dukes under one roof.” She squinted as if seeing the scene. “I wonder which duke would take precedence?”
“I don’t know.” Freya met Messalina’s gaze and said lightly, “But I’m afraid Ran doesn’t like to leave Edinburgh.”
Messalina gave Freya a sympathetic look. Ranulf de Moray, the Duke of Ayr, didn’t even leave his town house in Edinburgh, as she understood it. He’d lost his right hand to infection after the terrible events of the night Aurelia died. The tragedy had changed him forever—much as it had Julian and Quintus.
And her.
The conversation ebbed and flowed around Messalina. She tried to take part, remembering every once in a while to paste the smile back on her face, but mostly she simply sat.
That is, until Lucretia’s voice rose, drawing her attention. “Lemon curd is much better than apple tarts.”
Elspeth raised her eyebrows placidly. “Is it?”
Lucretia all but sputtered.
Messalina caught Elspeth’s eye at that moment, and the younger woman winked quickly.
Messalina’s lips quirked. The minx! Sweet, calm Elspeth was deliberately teasing Lucretia, and Lucretia hadn’t yet caught on.
One had to have respect for anyone who could bamboozle Lucretia.
The door to the sitting room opened, and Sam came in with Daisy.
“Oh, good, Daisy’s here.” Elspeth smiled at the boy. “And Sam.”
Messalina beckoned him to her.
Sam came to stand at attention, his eyes wide.
Meanwhile Daisy had trotted over to the Hollands.
“What an adorable puppy!” Arabella exclaimed, picking him up, and Daisy was passed around to be admired.
Lady Gilbert said, “I once knew a viscountess who had a three-legged pug.”
Elspeth turned with interest. “Did you?”
“Oh yes.” Lady Gilbert went off on a long, convoluted story that only Elspeth seemed to follow.
Messalina reached over and absently gave a slice of seedcake to Sam.
He was such a sweet lad. She’d begun to plan for perhaps opening a free grammar school for St Giles boys.
She’d have to leave behind both that dream and Sam himself.
Messalina bit her lip.
She’d had her courses this morning. The thought that they would never have children that Gideon could hold over her should make her glad. It should be a relief.
It was a relief.
Except she would like children. Gideon’s children, despite his betrayal. She could see in her mind’s eye a little girl, her black curls bouncing as she ran. Or a boy, solemn and serious, with black eyes under slanting eyebrows.
Her breast ached at the vision.
“We ought to gather more often.” Lucretia glanced at Messalina and assumed a very determined look—an expression that Messalina was familiar with. That expression had once led to a live piglet in the nursery and the abrupt departure of the governess.
The governess had been the third that year, if Messalina recalled correctly.
“I propose we have a monthly salon,” Lucretia said gravely. “To discuss matters of great importance.”
“Such as three-legged dogs?” Regina asked confusedly.
“Three-legged dogs,” Elspeth mused, “lemon curd versus apple tarts, and books. Books are very important.” She thought a second and then amended, “Oh, and butlers.”
“Butlers?” Freya asked.
Elspeth looked at her earnestly. “They’re quite mysterious. Haven’t you noticed?”
“I think it a very good idea.” Arabella suddenly spoke up. “I’d like a place to discuss things other than fashion.”
She glanced around the room to nodding faces.
Lucretia beamed.
Messalina was unsure if this idea was viable. After all, if she left with Lucretia, they would never have a chance to participate in this new salon.
But Lucretia obviously wasn’t thinking of that. She clapped her hands. “Wonderful! Then we’ll meet next month?”
All of the ladies nodded and began discussing topics they might explore at their next salon.
Beside Messalina, Sam had slowly slumped to the floor and was now asleep against the settee.
She smiled down at the boy as the others talked around