Page 61 of The Mister I Married

Not just for Tess but for herself, as well.

Berkshire was her new home for the foreseeable future, and if she had any prayer of actually feeling at home here, she had to get to know it and its people.

She would speak with Alex about it as soon as they returned to Bristlewood.

She found him in his study.

“Emmy,” Alex said, rising to his feet behind his massive mahogany desk, a distinct note of surprise in his voice.

“Forgive me for interrupting your work.” She lingered awkwardly in the doorway. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

“Of course,” he said, extending an arm out in welcome, indicating she should sit in the empty chair opposite his. “You’re my wife, Emmy. You may interrupt me anytime.”

His smile was wry but warm, too, as if he was pleased by the interruption. Pleased to see her.

She shut the door then crossed the long Aubusson rug to his desk and sat down in the offered chair.

Alex settled into his own chair and leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk as he regarded her. “How was your visit to Gladwin?” he asked, lacing his long fingers together.

His hands were stained with ink, his thick hair adorably mussed, and he no longer wore his jacket, which lay draped across the back of his chair. He wore no cravat, either, only a white cotton shirt and a waistcoat of burgundy silk. His dishevelment was disconcertingly distracting.

Emmy cleared her throat. “It’s a lovely little village,” she replied. “I sampled Mr. Clive’s marzipan, which was delicious, and I made the acquaintance of some of our neighbors.” She paused and folded her hands in her lap. “Which leads me to the reason for this visit.”

She told him about her conversation with Tess, about her discovery that she had no friends here, and how much she’d enjoyed their conversation with Lucinda and Caroline.

“Tess did not like London,” she went on, “but I do not think she is entirely happy here, either. She loves you and your father, but I think she would like some female friends, and at least some social interaction with the residents here.”

Emmy leaned forward. “I would like to help her achieve this, which means she will need to meet her neighbors, which means…I think we should host a dinner party for her.”

Alex blinked. “Oh. Right.” He leaned back in his chair. “Well, you have my full support, of course, and any assistance I can provide.”

“Thank you,” she said with a nod. “But what about—” She pressed her lips together. “What about your father? Will he tolerate a group of people in his house?” Worry pinched her brow. “I do not wish to upset him.”

Alex nodded. “I’ll talk to him. He probably won’t like it, but if I tell him it’s for Tess, I think he’ll go along with it.”

“Do you think he will want to attend the dinner?”

He drew in a breath and spread his hands out. “I don’t know. He might. He might not.”

Emmy nodded slowly, unsure how she felt about the idea of her father-in-law attending her dinner party.

On the one hand, it could be good. It might help to silence some of the rumors about him.

On the other hand, it could go terribly wrong.

She hadn’t witnessed any of these episodes Alex had warned her about, but they did not sound pleasant. What if he should suffer one during the dinner party, in front of their guests and neighbors? That would be very bad, indeed.

Pursing her lips, she shoved the worry aside. There was no sense in fretting about something she could not control, especially since nothing had even been finalized yet.

“Well, I shall leave you to your work now,” she said, rising to her feet as Alex did the same. “Will you speak with your father today? About the dinner party?”

He nodded. “I promise I will.”

“Thank you, Alex.”

“You’re welcome.”

Her husband’s smile held her transfixed, the way it softened his stern features and warmed his eyes to a brilliant, glowing gold.