Page 60 of The Fiancée Farce
Tansy’s heart rate ratcheted higher, pounding out a painful tattoo at the base of her throat at the sound of a second set of footsteps approaching.
“What was that?” Lucy asked.
“Jesus,” Gemma muttered. “Clearly, this isn’t the time nor the place to be having this conversation.”
“Gemma—”
“Just... let me go.” She sighed. “Please, just let me go.”
“You think I haven’t tried?” Lucy cried. “You think this is easy for me?Of courseI’ve tried. I’ve tried for years to get over you and I can’t. Because I don’t think I’m meant to.”
Years?Another burst of copper filled Tansy’s mouth as she sucked on her lip.
“Tucker! If it isn’t my almost-favorite nephew.”
As if this moment couldn’t get any worse,Tuckerwas here, and Brooks, too, apparently.
Brooks she barely knew, but Tucker would certainly feel zero compunction about mocking her, and he woulddefinitelytell Mr.Barnes and everyone else if he heard what Gemma and Lucy were discussing.
Brooks had been loud enough, luckily, that Gemma and Lucy fell silent.
Tansy squinted, trying to see through the curtain, able to make out shapes if she pressed her face close enough to the fabric.
“Uncle.” Tucker’s footsteps slowed as he approached, a suspicious glower highlighting the sharp angles of his face, his heavy, square jaw clenched. “Dare I ask which of the twins is your favorite, then?”
“Oh, they’re a package deal.” Brooks smiled sharply. “Don’t you know, if you aren’t first, you’re last?”
Tucker scoffed. “Fuck you, too, Uncle. What are you doing back here, anyway?”
“I was admiring the art. This is an original Jan van Goyen, you know. Painted in 1642. It’s been in our family for years.”
“Do I look like I give a shit?” Tucker sneered. “Dad wanted me to find you. Buster’s about to leave and wants to say goodbye. Have you seen Gemma anywhere?”
“You know, I haven’t.” Brooks drummed his fingers against his chin. “But I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. Isn’t that right, Prudence?” Brooks bent down, scooping Prudence up from the floor. “Tucker, would you care to take Prudence back to your mother? I’m sure Bitsie’s beside herself.”
Tucker scoffed. “Do it yourself. I fucking hate that dog.”
Prudence growled and Tucker gasped, the very pinnacle of bravery. Tansy stifled a laugh.
“Ah, Lucy.” Brooks smiled. “You haven’t seen my niece around here, have you?”
“Can’t say I have,” she lied breezily, heels clicking against the hardwood.
“Ah, well. Perhaps, in our absence, she’s returned.” Brooks wrapped an arm around Tucker’s shoulders. “Best we head back to the party.”
As soon as they were gone, Tansy exhaled sharply and slumped against the wall, pressing one hand to her chest, where her heart still raced.
A moment later Gemma tiptoed past, turning the corner and disappearing out of sight.
Tansy counted to ten before poking her head around the curtain, checking to see if the coast was clear. Carefully,quietly, she made her way back down the hall, retracing her footsteps, following the sound of voices, finding herself back in the foyer. Gemma spotted her across the room and hurried over, frowning gently.
“Hey,” she said, resting her hand on Tansy’s arm. “I went to thelibrary and you weren’t there. But Mr. Barnes found me. Gave me Veronika’s card.”
“Veronika?”
“The reporter we’re meeting with.” Gemma frowned. “Tuesday? Remember?”
Right.Veronika, the reporter who wanted the scoop on their wedding. “The interview, of course.” Tansy swallowed hard past the lump in her throat. “Where’d you disappear off to before that?”
