But today’s best thing so far is Ruby. We’ve only been here an hour, and I swear I’ve spent most of it watching her.
I grew up at Foxleigh, so I know it inside out. Yet somehow seeing it through her eyes makes everything feel brand new again. Every time she turns to take something in—the horses, the crowds, the music, the banners—excitement flashes across her face so openly it hits me square in the chest.
And now we’re wandering through the park, she’s holding my hand, and it feels so normal that I can’t believe I’m not freaking out. Ishouldbe freaking out. More so, I should be freaking out because I’mnot.
My head’s a mess, that much is true.
“Okay.” I check my watch, as we dodge a couple of spaniels. “According to today’s timetable, we have ten minutes to get over to the miniature polo that Max is playing in before Alex’s match. Fancy it? I’ve heard it’s superhero themed.” I waggle my brows.
Her eyes light up again. “A bunch of six-year-olds trotting around in dress up? Heck yeah, let’s go.”
“I believe they’re on field number four.”
You’d think I’d have just told her they were handing out free ice cream by the way she tugs on my hand and drags me off. We fall in with the crowds heading in the same direction, which slows us down because I inevitably bump into people I know. Some I haven’t seen since last year’s festival, some are old friends from the circuit, but one thing is for sure. As soon astheir eyes fall on Ruby, they aren’t interested in a single thing about me.
I lose count of how many times I introduce her as my wife. We’re invited to dinner, drinks, and weekends away. I thought my social life was always fairly active, but it’s become abundantly clear how wrong I was.
“I should have married you sooner . . .” I loop my arm around Ruby’s shoulder and pull her into me. She’s the perfect height, slotting against my side. I drop a kiss on her head, telling myself it’s part of the act, but it’s starting to feel too easy, and I’m not that good an actor. “I’m much more popular with you around.”
“Everything’s better with me around.” She laughs, and I know she’s joking, but I’m beginning to think it might be. I like her with me. I like her next to me.
I likeher.
Unfortunately, I’m pulled out of my thoughts by a vaguely familiar voice, and we’re stopped once more. This time by someone I’d rather have avoided.
Ruby and I spend all our time between the cottage and the yard, so it’s not surprising we haven’t bumped into someone I’ve known exclusively between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
But I also dearly wish today wasn’t the day it happened.
“Hey Miles, how’s it going?” The girl—Felicity. ..Fiona. . .Faith—stares, her skeptical gaze bouncing between Ruby and me, before hitting Ruby with a smile so wide it deserves an Oscar. “Hi, I’m Jade, an old friend of Miles’s.”
Jade.Fuck.
“Aren’t I, Miles?” She reaches out and runs a hand up my arm.
I probably shouldn’t tell her I didn’t remember her name.
I know the news of my marriage has spread rapidly. I’m also sure that ninety-five percent of the gossip about it hasn’t been positive, but hitting on me in front of my wife is low.
And frankly, as someone who’s been faithful for the entirety of our marriage thus far, it’s insulting.
I’m about to introduce Ruby, and make it very clear I’m not interested, but Ruby beams back, all teeth and sparkles. Sweet as pie.
“It’s so good to meet you, I’m Miles’swife.” Reaching up to where my arm is still resting over her shoulder, she laces our fingers together. Her big ruby glints in the sun, as subtle as a sledgehammer.
She might as well have put a dog collar on me and a flashing sign over my head that said, “I belong to her.” And honestly, I’m here for it.
“But we must be going, we’re rushing to watch ournephewplay polo. Now, if you wouldn’t mind removing your hand from my husband, Julie. . .”
“It’s Jade,” she says, releasing her grip.
“Right, sorry.”
Ruby doesn’t look sorry in the slightest, and I stare in ill-concealed delight. She’sjealous.
“So fucking rude,” she grumbles, pulling us both away. “I’m right here, with a fucking ring on. How dare she?”
Putting my arm around her, I pull her into me, planting the biggest, sloppiest kiss on her cheek. I can’t even explain how happy it makes me that she’s pissed off.
