Page 62 of A Necessary Wife

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Amelia covered the top of her glass with her hand and yawned. “I think I have had enough to drink for one day.”

She had celebrated the return of her husband with his family—and privately, his good sense, too—since she’d left him alone in his bedchamber to compose himself. She hoped his suffering was at an end now. The past could not be changed or forgotten, and this was a particularly horrible last memory of his late wife. She couldn’t imagine how difficult that day had been for him. It was no wonder he blamed himself.

But it was over and left behind now, she hoped.

Beside her, Jessica sighed. “I’m afraid I must pass, too.”

Jessica’s head fell onto the duchess’ shoulder after the empty glasses were set aside. “Should we ring for proper tea, Mama?”

“Perhaps sweetened coffee?”

“Oh, that made my head pound horribly last time we tried it,” Jessica whispered. “I fear I will need my husband to carry me home.”

“I’m sure he will be happy to,” the duchess promised. “Unless he is carrying Xavier.

“Yes,” Jessica sighed. “Sometimes I think he loves our child more than me.”

“That is simply not true, and you know it,” the duchess chided. “He is devoted to both of you in equal measure.”

Being surrounded by so many women who’d made love matches had almost made Amelia cry today. It was the wine, of course, tugging on her heartstrings. She was always more emotional if she indulged during the day. But she would have to compose herself. There were guests to be dined with tonight.

However, today’s indulgences had given her the confidence to confront her husband about his behavior and clear the air, so she had no real regrets about how she had handled him.

A door creaked open, and a woman sidled into the room. Amelia’s good mood vanished at seeing Lady Ashcroft again.

“Lady Ashcroft,” the duchess cried out, sitting up and gesturing urgently for the woman to join them. “We were just wondering where you’d gotten to?”

“I was walking the long hall with Lord Chatham,” she said, chin rising a little as she smiled. “I found him wandering alone and in desperate need of company.”

“I’m sure he was vastly entertained by your conversation,” Jessica murmured dryly, casting a worried glance toward Amelia.

Amelia had already told the pair that Chatham was found and well and there was no further cause for concern about his disappearance. They’d not questioned her.

“Yes, he was entertained by our conversation,” Lady Ashcroft said, as she sat across the table from Amelia. “We have so much to catch up on still. He’s always been a good friend and confidant. In fact, I’ve always felt like I was part of the family when I came to call, because of him.”

Amelia straightened herself upon hearing that. She had hoped she’d misunderstood the woman’s purpose in attempting to steal her husband away. Amelia would be wise to keep an eye on him and this woman, so she, herself, was not taken by surprise by any affair. Chatham claimed he wished for no emotional attachments with any other woman. She did not believe Chatham was unfaithful to her so soon but theirs was not a love match and one day he might be tempted.

The duchess smiled. “We are always happy to have you visit us again, Lady Ashcroft.”

“Oh, please call me Phillipa. Everyone in the family does. We will see each other often in the coming years.” The woman’s smile turned smug. “I’ve rejoined my parents at Longview and will be living there for the foreseeable future.”

“How lucky for them.” The duchess blinked. “I must say that is a very elegant gown you’re wearing today. Isn’t it, Jessica?”

“Lovely,” Jessica agreed.

“The silk is from Paris,” the woman told them, smoothing a hand over her leg. “Mama said the fit and rich colors suited my figure perfectly.” Lady Ashcroft glanced over at Amelia finally. “You are wearing a pretty gown as well, Lady Chatham” she said, and her eyes skimmed Amelia’s less formal gown. It was white muslin, the fabric plain and inexpensive, and as Amelia glanced down, she noticed an unusual degree of wrinkling in the skirts.

She smoothed her fingers over the fabric, wondering how that had happened, and then she remembered Milo clutching her so tightly as he cried. Was it any wonder her gown needed a good press now? But she wished she’d noticed before rejoining the duchess.

“Your Grace, I couldn’t help but overhear a commotion upstairs,” Lady Ashcroft whispered. “Is everything all right?”

The duchess frowned. “I’ve heard of no commotion. How odd that you did.”

“Yes, it was odd,” the woman said, raising a brow that suggested she was looking to gossip. “I think perhaps the sound came from the direction of the family rooms.”

“Oh, good. Samuel has arrived.”