Page 32 of The Baron's Return
Abigail settled into the drawing room with her embroidery. As her fingers moved over the small cushion cover she was working on, she had to force her thoughts to stop drifting back to her husband. He’d visited her bed two nights ago, so she knew it would be several days before he came to her again.
She spent the next hour in that manner, her fingers moving over the flower pattern she was following and giving in to her daydreams about a future where she and Cranston had finally overcome their difficulties and were as happy together as her friends were in their marriages.
When a knock sounded at the front door, she set her needlework into the small basket on the table next to her and rose to her feet.
She smiled when Amelia stepped into the doorway, then let out a soft cry of astonishment when she was followed into the room by the new Viscountess Ashford.
She rushed forward to hug the woman, shocked to find Mary was actually standing in her drawing room.
“You were holding back on us,” Mary said when she pulled back. “I can’t believe you went and married Cranston the moment we left town! Were the two of you having a secret love affair behind our backs?”
Abigail couldn’t hold back an indelicate snort. “If only that were true. Come in and sit down. Refreshments will be served shortly.”
The staff knew that they were to bring in a few chocolate sweets whenever Amelia visited. She would have to learn what Mary favored before her next visit.
“I feared you were calling to tell me that you were quitting London,” she said as they lowered themselves onto the settee. She took the seat at one end so she could look at both women.
Amelia grimaced. “John and I have been talking about it. But now that Mary and Ashford have returned from their wedding trip, I’m sure we’ll be putting it off again.”
“Where did you go? Tell us all about it,” Abigail said. She would never have a wedding trip of her own and so would have to live vicariously through the viscountess.
Mary let out a wistful sigh. “It was delightful. We went to Brighton to enjoy the sea air. Ashford rented a small cottage there, but in the end we spent a great deal of time inside. We’ll need to go back at some point to take in the sights that we missed.”
Amelia laughed and placed a hand on the slight swell of her belly. “I wonder how long it will be before this one here has a playmate when we’re all in London together.”
Mary shook her head. “Given my husband’s virility, I doubt it will be long.”
Although Abigail was happy for her friends, she couldn’t help but feel a small pang of jealousy. She yearned for that type of relationship with her husband even though she knew it to be a foolish wish.
Mary turned to her then, her arms crossed. “Don’t think to distract me with your questions. I’ll answer them all later, but first it is your turn. To say that I was shocked when I received Amelia’s letter with the news that the two of you had wed would be a vast understatement.” There was a slight frown on the woman’s face, but Abigail could tell Mary wasn’t truly angry.
Abigail opened her mouth to reply but stilled when she heard the soft footfall of her husband’s tread coming down the hallway. No doubt the staff had informed him of her guests’ visit and he was coming to see for himself.
“Cranston is coming,” she said, her voice low.
Her husband stepped into the room and groaned when his eyes landed on Mary. “I thought the staff was mistaken when they told me you were here.”
Mary scowled at him. “You wretch. You could have waited for us to return before running off and getting married yourself.”
Cranston raised a brow. “It’s not ‘running off’ if I remained in London.” At Mary’s huff of annoyance, he chuckled. “I thought you and Ashford were going to his estate after leaving Brighton.”
Their refreshments were brought in then, and Abigail set about pouring everyone’s tea while she watched the viscountess spar verbally with Cranston.
“That was the plan. Then he received word that his mother had quit town and was looking forward to seeing the two of us in Suffolk. He’d been under the mistaken impression she was planning to visit his youngest sister after leaving town since she is with child, but apparently there are still a few months before her confinement. The dowager viscountess won’t be visiting until the time draws nearer.”
Cranston nodded. “I can understand why he’d change plans. His mother was quite… intense… during the wedding preparations. I’m sure he isn’t up for that level of scrutiny anytime soon.”
Amelia shook her head. “So instead, the two of you decided to return to London and subject yourselves to our scrutiny?”
Mary lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “It’s not scrutiny when one is among friends.”
“It’s support,” Abigail said.
Mary nodded. “Yes, exactly.”
Cranston shook his head. “Well, the three of you should try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone. I imagine your husbands are at White’s?” At Mary’s nod, he continued. “Then I suppose I should get the upcoming ordeal over with quickly. I can already hear Ashford’s scolding.” He raised his eyes to the heavens as though offering up a silent prayer for strength and then took his leave.
They watched him go. Mary held her hands in her lap and waited. Abigail knew what would happen as soon as they heard the sound of the front door closing behind him.
