Page 43 of Loving Mister Stratford
Meredith’s familiar, friendly face was comfort enough for Odette. Through her and her husband, Odette had been afforded numerous introductions to members of the elite. She formed new acquaintances and was able to place some faces to the names from a few of the invitations and calling cards left at her home. Throughout the night, she made mental notes which ones she could outright decline and which showed the promise of a genuine friendship. For the most part, Simon stayed relatively silent by her side. His arm beneath her hand was a comforting presence, his handsome face looking fondly down at her was thrilling. He’d briefly left her with Meredith after his father had pulled him aside to lend support in a debate over something having to do with investments and returns.
“You certainly seem to have done wonders pulling Simon out of his shell,” Meredith murmured and nudged Odette’s side. Though her cheeks warmed, Odette knew she was right. Simon had been attentive, if quiet. He’d even asked her to dance three times that evening without any prompting. It had created a bit of a spectacle, but Meredith had assured her it could be overlooked since they were so newly out of their honeymoon.“There’s no denying that he looks far less miserable than he has in the past at these things,” Meredith added, mirth twinkling in her indigo eyes.
“I suppose it’s reassuring that he doesn’t appear miserable to be escorting me,” Odette said in good humor.
“I think it’s perhaps the first time I’ve witnessed Simon as the more amiable Stratford male.” Meredith grinned and leaned in conspiratorially.“If you want my opinion—and you’ll have it whether or not you desire it—he’s rather smitten with the woman he’s escorting this evening.”
A full-fledged blush covered her face and crept down to her throat and her chest, sharing the carnation-pink evidence of her feelings for all to see.
Meredith seemed so confident in her assessment, but Odette wasn’t so sure. Simon had been attentive. He’d remained by her side. She’d been able to feel the caress of his gaze upon her ever since he had walked into her bedchamber earlier. In fact—she snuck a glance over her shoulder and found Simon’s eerily intense blue-green eyes completely focused upon her, like a hawk and its prey. She barely suppressed a delicious shudder and turned back to Meredith.
There was no denying the fact that Simon was attracted to her and they’d certainly grown closer over the weeks since their marriage, but she doubted he felt quite what had been unfurling incrementally in her breast. Every smile, every touch, every moment he allowed her a glimpse inside his mind and his heart, well…made it blossom a little bit more.
To tell the truth, Odette was gradually coming to accept the fact that she was falling more than a little bit in love with her husband.
Later in the evening, the punch caught up to the ladies. Odette and Meredith retreated to relieve themselves and pause in the powder room to make sure the heat hadn’t undone their hair entirely. Odette was particularly nervous because she knew she tended to sweat an unfortunate amount—much more than the slim, elegant Meredith, no doubt.
The room set aside for the ladies had several tabletop and full-length mirrors scattered throughout, along with two chaises and a number of chairs and ottomans upon which women could rest their aching legs. The center of the room was partitioned by an oversized high back lounge resembling a two-sided clamshell. The furniture was quite remarkable and looked incredibly comfortable. Odette quickly fixed a few of her hairpins and, as Meredith continued to adjust the neckline of her seafoam-green gown, Odette took the opportunity to drop onto the lounge. There was no one else within sight, so she allowed herself to sink low and enjoy the respite.
Meredith met her eyes in the mirror.“These things are quite exhausting, are they not? Only another hour or so and then we can rest at dinner.”
“I never knew one could enjoy themselves too much,” Odette laughed and glanced down at the toes of her satin slippered peeking out from beneath the hem of her gown. How she longed to step out of the shoes, peel off her silk stockings, and rub the arches of her feet.
“It’s clear the poor dear won’t have much of a marriage with him.”
Odette’s every muscle tensed as a conversation began on the other side of the lounge upon which she sat.
“I’ve heard she’s some sort of relation to that French actress—the one at The Mask and Lyre,” another female voice chimed in and Odette continued to listen, her sense of dread growing, sitting heavy and leaden in her gut.
“No matter who she is, she’s saddled with a rather unfortunate arrangement now.”
“An earl’s younger son would have been quite the match for many women, but him…”
Meredith frowned and turned to face her.“Od—” She was cut off when Odette held a finger to her lips and gestured for silence. Meredith quietly drifted over and sat beside her.
“At least he’s quite nice to look at,” added a third nameless voice.
“Yes,” chimed the first;“but looks mean little if a man has a reputation for being so…so strange. His manners are shockingly lacking. The earl and countess must be so disappointed.”
Odette’s hands fisted in her skirts, her teeth clenched. Meredith’s hand covered hers.
“Mr. Stratford is so rude and disinterested in polite Society—imagine what he must be like as a husband!”
Odette met Meredith’s pained eyes; she was clearly upset for her.
But Odette…she was furious.
For Simon.
Meredith’s mouth opened, but, before she could say anything, Odette stood and stomped around the furniture and came face-to-face with the trio of ladies. Slapping on her sweetest smile, Odette smoothed her skirts and greeted them.
“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” she began, glancing at each one in turn as Meredith came up behind her.“I am Mrs. Odette Stratford.” One of the women paled; the others looked more than a little uncomfortable.“I have always found it fascinating what people say when they believe no one is paying attention. For example, I can only assume others discuss your sour dispositions, judgmental attitudes, and pinched faces at every opportunity.” One of the women gasped.“If you find that uncomfortable, then I strongly suggest you think twice about spouting such nasty words in the future.” Odette advanced a step.“And I must insist that you keep my husband’s name out of your mouths. You’ve no idea of what you speak and to do so is only to make yourselves more ignorant than necessary.”
“Well, I never…” One of the women managed to splutter in outrage as Odette spun on her heel and quit the room in a flurry of skirts. She didn’t stop until they were well down the dimly-lit hallway.
“Odette!” Meredith grabbed her arm.“You were brilliant!” she gushed.“That was—Odette?” She stopped when she caught the glimmer of tears in Odette’s eyes.“Dear, are you unwell?”
Odette began to shake her head even before Meredith finished the sentence.“No. I’m angry. I’m so very, veryangry,” she choked on the words as the tears spilled over. Meredith steered her into a nearby room and held her as she sobbed. When it was clear that Odette’s emotions were only growing more powerful, she slipped from the room with the promise to return as quickly as possible. Alone in the dark, Odette sank to a chair and wrapped her arms around herself.
