Josie
Elijah had not come to her room last night. She had waited and waited, wearing a lovely nightrail with lace over her bosom, intended to titillate, until she heard him return to his room. Listening to him moving around—albeit quietly—until there was silence. Then scowled when she realized he was not coming in.
Why not?
Had he worried she would question him about that Mitchell person? She had known better than to eavesdrop after he had told her not to. He would have been watching out for her presence, so she had stayed away. But she was burning with curiosity. Still, was that enough reason for him to eschew her bed? Josie scowled at her reflection in the mirror as Debbie did her hair. She did not think so.
Or, perhaps, he had only come to her bed that first night because it was expected? To consummate the marriage.
Something twisted in her stomach. Tonight, the Society of Sin gathered. Was Elijah going? Was he planning to hide that from her?
Was he going there to be with another woman?
The very idea he might be waiting to be with another woman, to touch her the way he had touched Josie, to pleasure her… made her want to scream and rage, then cry. Far more so than when she thought about Joseph with Miss Bliss. She could hardly deny her feelings for Elijah had changed, even if it was only the desire of a wife to have a loyal husband. She felt possessive. That was all. She had never expected Joseph to be faithful to her, only hoped he would return her feelings, but she had never expected Elijah to be untrue, no matter how common it was among theton.
“My lady? Are you well?” Debbie’s concern reminded Josie she was not unobserved.
“Yes, I am fine, thank you. Hungry,” Josie tacked on. Debbie had been with her long enough to know she was a bear when she was hungry. The fashion was for ladies to be circumspect about eating, but for Josie, it had been a choice between unfashionably feasting or growling at the rest of society. Her mother had always chosen to let her eat.
She was rather peckish, which was certainly not helping her mood. When Debbie finished with her hair, Josie made her way down to the dining room, where she was pleased to see her husband in attendance this morning. He looked up from the paper he was reading when she came in. It was just the two of them.
“Good morning.” He stood, watching as she moved to her seat, his expression unfathomable. A lock of dark hair curled over his brow, and Josie’s fingers itched to brush it back—to touch him at all—but he held himself in place, so she did not approach, choosing the chair across from him and sat with the footman’s assistance.
“Good morning.” There was a tartness to her tone she could not hide, but she ignored the questioning look Elijah sent her. “I hope you slept well.”
“Well enough.” The silence hung awkwardly about them as they stared at each other across the table. He cleared his throat. “Do you have any plans for today?”
“I had not thought about it,” she said slowly. “Do you?”
“I will be engaged for most of today,” he replied apologetically. “Though I could take you around Hyde Park this afternoon if you wish.”
Hyde Park, where the gossipy matrons would be gathered. They would expect to see Elijah and Josie there at the fashionable hour eventually, and today was as good a day as any. Tomorrow, Josie would be returning to the daytime social rounds, including a tea at Lady Jersey’s, which she could not miss.
“That would be nice. And this evening?”
Elijah didn’t blink.
“I have some business to attend to this evening.” He smiled patronizingly. “Do not worry, we can make our return to society tomorrow at Manchester House.” One of the more important events of the Season, it was not to be missed. The Duke and Duchess of Manchester were powerhouses among theton.The duke’s sister was also Josie’s friend, Mary’s cousin, giving her an additional connection to the family.
Josie had not been looking for reassurance they would not miss one of the premier events of the Season. She had wanted to know if Elijah planned on attending the soiree at Lady Greywood’s tonight.
If he was still planning to attend, he was not inviting her along.
Just as well, she had her own invitation. A kind of quiet fury built in her chest. She could not wait to see the look on his face when he realized she was welcome within the Society, whether or not he brought her. Perhaps she would find someone to show her the wicked pleasures, if he would not, and see what he made of that!
Elijah
Josie was up to something. She was on her best behavior all day. Not once did she complain about not being able to handle the reins during their carriage ride and did not chafe at having to be seated next to him, prim and proper, while they rode at a sedate pace. She was perfectly amiable every moment he was able to spend time with her.
All of which had his own nerves winding tighter as though she was spinning them on a spindle and waiting for him to snap. An outsider would see nothing but a lady behaving exactly as she should. Neither of his brothers nor his father seemed unnerved by her behavior, which made it even worse. He did not think he was overreacting, yet he was the only one having this reaction.
It was almost time to leave for Lady Greywood’s, and Josie had disappeared into her bedroom. Should he join her? No. It would only make him feel guiltier tonight if he touched another woman, but he would do what he had to do for king and country.
His attendance this evening, so soon after his wedding, would assure the traitor there was nothing between him and Josie other than the events that necessitated their marriage. On the other hand, refraining from involving himself in the activities might spark the traitor’s suspicions. Maybe he should stay home.
No.
He was not going to change his entire life because of his marriage. Nor could he ignore his responsibilities and his mission just because he wanted to remain faithful to his wife. After this mission was over, he could dedicate himself to his marriage but not before.