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A mirthless chuckle escaped her. "We had quite a row. He neither confirmed nor denied the rumors but I know they’re true. He dismissed all of my questions and would not even give me her name. I have the right to know, do I not, Jenny?"
In all their years together, Jenny had never seen Daphne this distraught. There were shadows underneath her eyes and tiny lines of worry at the outer corners. “Certainly, you do.”
"He said that his affairs are not any concern of mine and that I should give my attention to what is important. The season and finding a husband.” Her chin quivered and her eyes glistened. “How can I find a husband when his every selfish decision affects my prospects? I never felt so alone, Jenny."
"You are never alone, Daph.Never.Know that I will always support you."
“Thank you, Jenny.” She managed a rueful smile as their tea arrived. She jumped at the opportunity to change the subject while she served them. “How is Heartsbay?”
“No lives were lost, thankfully, and Nicholas and his steward have plans in place to care for the people that have lost their homes and livelihood,” Jenny replied.
"That is a relief." Daphne handed her a cup. "And I trust your husband is good, too?"
Jenny allowed herself an inward smile at what Daphne was truly curious about. “Nicholas is… You might be right, Daph. I think Nicholas cares. Something is preventing him from making our marriage real but I want to help him overcome it.”
When he had returned from Heartsbay last night, he’d been out of sorts but he sought comfort from her. Jenny had been tempted to initiate some intimacy but felt it was not right. She felt selfish for thinking of her pleasure at that moment.
"I have tried to take your advice about being bold but each time, I did it with a barrier to protect myself," she continued. "I have now resolved to lower that barrier the best time I approach him.” She smiled. “I think I am not afraid of taking a risk any longer.” Jenny wanted to draw her husband out of his head where all the bad thoughts that were hampering their romance were.
Daphne's countenance immediately changed at this pronouncement and her eyes that had been glistening with unshed tears now gleamed with excitement. “That is how you romance a man, Jenny: By being fearless.”
“It has taken some time but I am ready to be.”
"I am truly happy for you, Jenny," Daphne said. "God knows that one of us deserves to be happy.”
"Your own happiness is coming, too, dear friend," Jenny reassured her, thinking of Ernest.
Daphne chuckled but Jenny could sense her uncertainty. "I am Daphne Bexley. Good fortune would dare not forget me," she declared.
"Now,thatis the spirit." Jenny sipped her tea as she thought of more ways to get her friend and Ernest together.
* * *
"Are you seeking to get me foxed?" Ernest asked, looking dubiously at Nicholas as he refilled his empty snifter for him. "You dragged me out here but all you have been doing for the past hour is hedge about your reason for asking to meet while making sure my cup does not run dry."
"Go on," Nicholas replied, sitting back and folding his arms as he motioned with his chin for Ernest to drink. "You will need some of your faculties compromised for what I am about to tell you and only the brandy can do that. Drink."
"Oh, speak, man! It is unlike you to preamble and trick people. What is so bad that I need only half of my senses functioning to be told?"
Nicholas took a fortifying breath before saying, "I may have ruined my life, Ernest."
"Good Lord!" Ernest sat up, his eyes wide. "Who is the mother?"
"What?" Nicholas blinked as his brows drew down over his eyes. But then they quickly rose as the realization of his cousin’s meaning dawned. "Rest assured that I have not sired a bastard. This situation I find myself in is much more complicated than that. It—”
"Who did you kill, then?" Ernest interrupted him, tossing back his liquor.
"You, if you do not quit giving me clever remarks and listen," Nicholas almost snapped, his patience ebbing with every word that left his lips.
Earnest held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Put the dagger back, man. You want my attention and I am giving it to you which is not easy considering..." he threw a meaningful glance at his empty snifter on the table.
"Apologies," Nicholas mumbled before taking his own glass and finishing its contents in one gulp. "What I meant to say was that I am married."
The salon they occupied at White’s was immediately filled with Ernest’s laughter. Heads would surely have turned in their direction had they not been the only gentlemen in the room. "I see you are further into your cups than I am, Nicholas. Of course, you are married. To Jenny, too, in case you need reminding."
Nicholas shook his head and reached into his coat to remove the marriage document, which he handed to Ernest. "Not to Jenny."
Sensing the gravity in his tone, Ernest sobered and took the rolled paper. Nicholas watched the play of emotions on his face as he scanned the sheet. "What is this, Nicholas?" Ernest asked gravely.
"Exactly what you see. My marriage is to—"
“No!” Ernest shot to his feet, his face contorting with rage.
