Page 75 of The Mister I Married

Chapter Twenty

Dinner that evening with their unexpected guests was a pleasant affair, and Alex was happy to discover the Marquess and Marchioness of Keswick were a friendly, good-natured couple. Emmy was obviously thrilled to see them, as he observed again later that evening in the rose salon, noting her smile as she sat on the sofa beside his father and watched Tess and Lady Keswick play a duet on the pianoforte.

Watching her interact with her family this evening, she seemed content, even happy, but her behavior toward him seemed off. Almost strained.

The change seemed to have come out of nowhere, considering how well their walk had gone, so he could only assume her family’s presence was to blame. This was her first interaction with them as a married woman, after all.

Perhaps she was uncomfortable with the newness of it all, and with melding the two personas of sister and wife.

It was the only explanation he could think of, though it did little to assuage the twinge of unease in his chest.

A throat was cleared at his shoulder, drawing him from his reverie, and he looked up as Emmy’s brother sat in the chair beside his.

“Thank you again for your hospitality,” Lord Keswick said, crossing one leg over the other. “I did not like showing up here unannounced and uninvited, but my wife can be rather persuasive when she wants to be.”

His tone was wry, but there was an underlying thread of fondness there, too, which Alex liked. The affection between Keswick and his wife was displayed subtly but there was no doubt it was there.

“Think nothing of it,” Alex replied. “Emmy is happy you’re here, and I’m glad we finally met.”

“So am I,” Keswick said. “Truth be told, I was rather unhappy I wasn’t able to meet you before you married my sister.”

Alex nodded. “Having a younger sister of my own, I can understand that.” His gaze settled on Tess as she launched into another duet, clearly enjoying herself.

“You did manage to make a favorable impression on my mother,” the marquess went on, “which went a long way toward easing my concerns. Still, I am relieved to see with my own eyes that Emmy is well. And that her husband cares for her.”

Lord Keswick glanced at him, and Alex met his gaze. “I do care for her. Very much.”

“You are in love with her.”

It was not a question, but Alex did not hesitate with his answer. “I am.”

Keswick nodded once. “Good.”

Alex shifted in his chair, unsure how he should feel about this conversation and his apparently obvious feelings for his wife. Especially when said wife was so bloody good at hiding her own feelings from him.

Keswick chuckled softly, as if reading Alex’s thoughts. “Be patient with her, Whitcomb,” he said, as the final notes of the duet came to a close. “Emmy is stubborn, but she is not unmovable.”

A deluge of questions flooded his brain and lodged in his throat, but his own pride—and the smattering of applause—prevented him from speaking them, and he never found another chance.

An hour passed by, and then the evening was over. Lady Keswick announced she was feeling fatigued and the rest of the party admitted defeat and headed off to bed.

“I like your family,” Alex said to Emmy as they walked the corridor toward their chambers, alone for the first time in hours. “I’m glad they came, even if it was a surprise.”

Emmy offered a small smile, her gaze on the floor. “Thank you for being so welcoming,” she replied quietly. “I appreciate your kindness.”

He shrugged. “They’re your family. Of course I would welcome them.”

She nodded but made no reply, and Alex couldn’t help but frown, flummoxed by her uncharacteristic reticence. “Are you well, Emmy?” he asked, just as they reached her door.

She faced him, finally meeting his gaze. “I am, thank you. It is only…a slight headache, that’s all.”

Concern furrowed his brow. “Shall I have your maid prepare a cold compress for you?”

She shook her head. “Thank you, no. All I need is a good night’s sleep.”

“Of course,” he replied with an understanding smile. “I hope you feel better in the morning.”

“Thank you, Alex. Good night.”