Page 44 of His Wife, the Spy
He nodded. “After my grandfather’s death, his younger staff left without notice. The remaining, older, ones were…not suited for the activity of a more active house.”
The younger staff had likely preferred the activity, and better pay, found in London. “What happened to the older ones?”
“The ones who wished to remain in service moved to Lambourn Manor—Mother likes quiet in the country—or to my uncles’ country properties. The cook joined Cousin Amelia’s household. The ones who wished to retire in Wiltshire were given tenancies on the estate.”
Somehow, she hadn’t expected him to do anything less. “None of them came to the London house?”
“I prefer to be surrounded by familiar faces.”
“And loyal ones.” The moment the words came out of her mouth, Annabel wanted to dive from the carriage. She had given him the perfect opening to question her.
“Loyalty is underrated in Society. Wouldn’t you agree, Annabel?”
Annabel met his stare and evened her breathing. It was important, for more than one reason, that he believed her. “I would, Jasper.”
She’d left Wiltshire more than half convinced that he was a decent man. A rake, perhaps, but not a traitor. Nothing since their wedding had provided evidence to the contrary. He had kept to his end of their odd contract. Her sisters had been launched into Society and had introductions to theton’s most respectable matrons. Their post was full of invitations to the best balls, and they had renewed acquaintances that had fallen away with the family’s misfortune.
Though Annabel wished they would make other friends, she could not fault her husband for her sisters’ choices.
The noise from the city faded as they entered Hyde Park. The curtains swung, giving glimpses of paths lit by gaslights. The trees, their limbs fuzzy with spring leaves, loomed overhead, reaching into the fog that was rolling in from the river.
Annabel chafed her gloved hands against her arms, imagining being cast out into that fog with nothing but an impractical dress and dancing slippers.
Without warning, Jasper swung to her side of the carriage, close enough to touch her. Annabel scrambled into the corner, panicked that he’d read her thoughts and decided to do that.
His fine blond brows knitted together over blue eyes that reminded her of the spring birds that flitted from branch to branch in her garden at home. “You’ve had a difficult night, I think.”
“I…” The squeak in that one word had her clearing her throat to try again. “I had a much better time than I anticipated, until Chippenham.”
The fun had leached from the evening when she saw Jasper talking with Gwendolyn Harris, but she’d never admit it. Her part of their bargain was that she’d not interfere in hisdalliances. Though she did wonder if he knew Gwennie was a viper in curls.
“George and I have competed over any number of things since Eton. The last was the…attention of a certain lady.”
“And you won.” No woman would choose Chippenham over Jasper. It would also help explain the duke’s vulgar suggestion.
He nodded. “Though it wasn’t much of a prize.”
But he’d still claimed it.
“And I no longer hold it.” He took her hand in his and coaxed her closer. “It is important to me for you know that.”
“Thank you.” Her tongue was coated with the bitter taste of a confession she didn’t dare make. Though her fear of retaliation faded a little more each day, she refused to lay her sins, and her father’s debts, at her husband’s feet. It was too much to ask of anyone.
“Would you tell me what he said?” He lowered his head to meet her gaze. “It might be embarrassing, but it will better than my wondering for weeks.”
She wanted to ask why he’d spend an extra minute wondering about her, but she expected it had to do with Society’s expectations and the respect she was due. He’d already reprimanded Rachel for calling her Annie—a name Annabel hated because it made her sound like a scullery maid.
She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes. “He complimented me on the necklace but said if I was willing to ruin myself for stones that size, perhaps I would be interested in his, since they were larger.”
Jasper’s laugh had a bitter, hard sound to it, like hail against a window.
“I see.” His hold on her tightened. “I expected better from Chippenham, which I will explain to him when—”
“If you fight thetonfor every insult, we’ll never be invited anywhere respectable again.” It touched her that he wouldbe concerned over her feelings, but there were more practical considerations, such as the effect of their behavior on their sisters. “We expected this, though not quite so blatant.”
Truthfully, she suspected Chippenham was foxed and wouldn’t remember the conversation tomorrow. Though his foot would likely be swollen. Her heel still throbbed. Dancing slippers were not made for self-protection.
“That’s why you stomped on his foot, then? To protect your honor?” He dipped his head to meet her eyes again, and his lopsided smile made her heart stutter. “Because that is a husband’s duty, Annabel.”
