Page 39 of The Countess Caper

But now she was back at Magpie House, and everything would be better. They would hire help, buy furniture that did not shatter under them. And no one had to know that a part of her was still lingering in that bed with Roarke. That she could still feel his mouth on her. Might always.

“Now that is a peculiar expression for a new bride,” Rue said, marching across the chipped marble floor. “Are you ill?” She paused. “Are you pregnant? Already?”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “I’m not pregnant.”

“Now who’s pregnant?” Summer inquired, coming down the stairs in a stunning and wholly impractical velvet riding habit.

“I have herbs,” Marigold said. “I read about them in my anatomy books. I’ll make a tea. Just in case.”

“And there are French letters,” Summer pointed out.

“No one is pregnant,” Tessa insisted, but her cousin had already bustled away.

“That’s probably for the best,” Summer remarked. “We ran out of pickled beets last night, and Holly threw a plate at the wall.”

“Goodness.”

“She was distraught,” Rue said defensively.

“Clearly.”

Summer descended the last step and raised her eyebrow. “Well?”

“Well what?” Tessa said.

“Don’t be irritating. Are you Lady Dartmoor now?”

“I am.”

Summer smiled. “Congratulations. Though I’m still peeved you wouldn’t let me be in the ceremony.”

Tessa wrinkled her nose and opted to change the subject. “Are you leaving?” Her dress was far too fine for the likes of Magpie House.

“I’m afraid I must,” Summer replied. “I’ve been invited to a house party. I’ve no doubt it will be terribly dull, but if I don’t go, everyone will fawn over Blackpool, and his ego is already insufferable.”

“Interesting.”

“I assure you, it is not.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Married a day and already she thinks she knows everything.”

“And now you’re being defensive.”

“Oh, hush. I’m leaving.” She pulled on her gloves. “Try not to stab yourself with that sculpture of the disgruntled faun in the blue parlor. It fell over again and took half the wall with it.”

Tessa shut her eyes. “Lovely.”

“On the plus side, you can do something about it now.”

She opened her eyes again. “True.”

Summer hugged her quickly, before Tessa could find an excuse to be somewhere else and not have to watch her leave. But it was easier with Summer. It always had been. Because Summer always came back.

“Thank you,” Tessa whispered. “I think.”

Summer winked. “It’s all going to be grand. Trust me.”