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Emmeline gave her an impatient look. “I don’t have any regrets.”
“Wonderful, and I wouldn’t give those articles in the Society page any heed,” Lady Catherine said.
“Articles?” Emmeline asked, shooting Oliver a baffled look.
Lady Catherine waved her hand dismissively in front of her. “It is pure rubbish that gentlemen are placing bets at White’s about how long your marriage will last,” she informed her.
Oliver interjected in a dry voice, “Thank you for your candor, but we need to exit the dance floor before the next set begins.”
“Of course,” Lady Catherine said with a victorious smile on her face. “I just wanted a chance to speak to the happy couple.”
He began to lead Emmeline away, then muttered, “Insufferable woman.”
“Was she telling the truth?” Emmeline asked in a soft voice. “Have gentlemen been placing bets over the state of our marriage?”
Oliver winced as he revealed, “Yes, but you must understand that gentlemen place bets at White’s for the most ridiculous reasons.”
Emmeline pulled back her arm. “I think I would like to be alone for a moment,” she said as she walked swiftly towards the French doors that led to the gardens.
It only took Oliver a moment to realize that he needed to follow his wife and make this right. He saw her disappear out the doors as he started making his way through the crowds. When he stepped out onto the courtyard, he didn’t see Emmeline, and he felt a slight panic come over him.
A familiar voice spoke up from behind him. “Lord Oliver,” Miss Jenkins said in a smooth voice. “I was hoping to catch you alone.”
“I’m afraid this is not a good time,” Oliver replied, speaking over his shoulder.
“Are you in search of your wife?”
“I am.”
Miss Jenkins took a step closer to him. “I saw her race from the ballroom, and I must admit that I felt only pity for the poor thing.”
Oliver turned to face Miss Jenkins and asked, “Why would you feel the slightest bit of pity for my wife?”
Miss Jenkins smiled coyly at him. “Everyone knows you only married her because you wanted to save her from the Duke of Billingham.”
“That is only part of the reason.”
“Come now,” she said, “you didn’t truly want a wife, did you?” She took a step closer. “If you must know, I don’t mind sharing you.”
Oliver stiffened. “I do not appreciate your insinuation,” he declared. “I am a married man.” She brought her hand up to touch him and he grabbed her wrist. “I’m serious, Miss Jenkins. Whatever we had in the past is over.”
A smirk came to her lips. “If you say so,” Miss Jenkins said, pulling back on her arm. “But no one believes you are capable of being faithful to one woman.”
He watched as Miss Jenkins swept back into the ball before he turned around and saw Emmeline was watching him from a short distance away, her face pale.
In a few strides, he closed the distance and asked, “What is wrong?”
“I saw you with Miss Jenkins,” Emmeline shared.
“Nothing transpired between us,” he asserted.
“You two appeared rather close.”
He frowned. “If you must know, Miss Jenkins and I have a past together. I have taken her on carriage rides and have dined with her family.”
Tears came to her eyes, making her eyes sparkle in the moonlight. “Did you intend to court her?”
“I did not.”
