Page 27 of The Mister I Married

Emmy cocked a brow. “But?”

“But nothing,” Tess denied, stretching her lips into a smile that did not reach her eyes.

Emmy studied her, perplexed by her odd mood. She’d seemed fine last evening at Almack’s, although admittedly Emmy had not spent much time with her, so she might not have noticed if something was wrong.

Leaning forward a little, she lowered her voice so as not to be heard above the din of female voices and shuffling cards, and said, “Is something the matter, Tess? Are you unwell?”

Tess dropped her gaze to the glass of punch cradled in her hands and shook her head. “I’m fine. Truly. Now”—she pushed to her feet and offered a small smile—“shall we play another hand of whist?”

“Of course,” Emmy said. “I would be delighted.”

She followed after Tess, letting the matter drop for now, though she did not believe for a moment that her friend was as fine as she claimed. Despite her denials, something was troubling Tess, and whatever that something was, even playing whist was preferable to discussing it. And that was very telling, indeed.

Two days passed without incident, but Emmy’s concern for her friend still had not abated. Indeed, it had only grown.

Sitting at the small table in the sun-dappled patch of garden behind the Keswicks’ townhouse, Emmy pored over the newest edition of The Tattletale, searching for some piece of news that might help her help Tess.

Of course, finding the solution would be much simpler if she knew the problem.

She’d seen Tess again last night at the opera, and though she’d smiled and chatted as if everything was well, Emmy was not fooled. Something was still troubling her, and it had dimmed her sparkle.

“Let’s see here,” she murmured as she skimmed the final page of the gossip rag, tracking the words with an index finger.

Nothing. She sat back in her chair and pursed her lips. She’d hoped there might be some mention of a new arrival in Town, a handsome Hungarian prince, perhaps, or a dashing Spanish Count. Someone new and exciting who would sweep Tess off her feet. She clearly did not like any of the gentlemen she’d met so far—at least, not in a romantic way—and Emmy had hoped someone new might spark her interest.

Unfortunately, even if there was some merit to the idea, the paper held no such announcement, only the usual rubbish, which was interesting but unhelpful.

Frustration washed over her. She did not like seeing a friend unhappy, but she really couldn’t help if she didn’t know the problem. And Tess either didn’t want to tell her or wasn’t ready to.

A beleaguered sigh escaped her. She hated being in the dark almost as much as she hated seeing a friend in need.

“That was a big sigh.”

Emmy looked up to find Alex standing in the doorway, his hands in his trouser pockets, a quiet smile on his lips.

“Alex,” she said with surprise in her voice. “What are you doing here?”

He lifted a shoulder, the gesture endearingly bashful. “I thought my betrothed might enjoy a walk through the park today. Your mother and Tess are waiting for us in the drawing room.”

“Oh,” she said, rising to her feet. “Yes, of course. That would be lovely.”

She headed for the door then paused at the threshold and turned to face Alex. “Before we join the ladies, I would like to ask you something, if I may.”

He dipped his head, his hazel eyes expectant.

“It’s about Tess,” she said. “She’s seemed…out of sorts these last few days, and I was wondering…if she is unwell?”

He blinked, clearly surprised by the question. “Has something happened which might have made her unwell?”

Emmy shook her head. “I don’t know. Not that I am aware of. I was worried that she might have some issue with our betrothal, but whenever I ask her what’s troubling her, she assures me all is well.”

“What issue could she have with our betrothal?” Alex asked, confusion knitting his brow.

She shrugged. “The timing seemed conspicuous, that’s all. I’m sure that has nothing to do with it.”

Alex was silent for a moment, thinking. “I suppose she has been a little quiet the last day or two, but she’s made no mention of any problems to me.”

Emmy nodded, trying to find solace in his words. “Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps she is fine.”