“Like what?” he asked, his fingers threading through hers.
Like the trash Lady Wallaby had accused them of being. Her face tightened as she looked down at the board, pretending to contemplate her next move. “Nothing.”
“She was wrong. You know that, right?”
Her head snapped up. “What?” But her insides quivered. He didn’t…couldn’t…remember last night, did he?
His brows rose a notch as he pulled her closer again. “Some people are always looking for ways in which they can lord over others. Don’t let them shape you.”
She blinked in surprise, but also because the words struck some chord in her. Had she done that? Allowed a few women’s catty words and glances to set the course of her life?
But she shook off the thought. Being a successful debutante meant elevating her family, supporting Ace, and helping Anna. Her younger and softer sister would not face the same derision that Mirabelle had. She’d see to that.
She pulled her fingers out of his, making a wild move that wasn’t at all part of her strategy. But she’d lost her train of thought.
The game continued but was over in a quarter hour, Ken trapping her king in checkmate.
She shook her head. “Pick your time.”
Ken reached for her hand again. “I’ve upset you.”
“No. I…” What did she say? She’d assumed he was too intoxicated to remember her words or she’d never have confessed her story. And she couldn’t very well ask him if he thought less of her. Of course he did and asking only forced him to fib to her.
“What?” He threaded his fingers through hers. “You can tell me anything. I promise.”
Her chin came up then. Were her eyes watery? They felt it. “I can?”
“You can.” He dipped his head closer, holding her gaze with his. “Mirabelle. You can tell me anything. I meant what I said when Gris was talking. I like all the ways you’re unique. They make me want to know more and—”
“Mirabelle?”
Ace’s voice pierced the bubble surrounding her and Ken as she pulled her hand from his. She quickly rose from her chair, spinning toward her brother. “Ace. You’ve left your room.”
His brows rose. “I do that on occasion.”
Emily appeared behind them but rather than look annoyed, she swept into the room, moving toward the chess table. “Ken. What a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?”
Mirabelle looked at her friend and then at Anna, who was hiding a laugh behind her hand.
“I came to have tea with Mirabelle and Anna. They”—he leaned over to take his sister’s hand as he kissed her cheek—“have been very graciously keeping me apprised of how my sister is settling into married life.”
A blush spread over Emily’s cheeks as she looked back at Ace. “I am settling in very well. Thank you.”
Ken nodded as his gaze rose to Ace’s. “Glad to hear it. But since you’re here and I know Mirabelle has missed you the past few days, perhaps I could leave you here to take my place at tea and Ace and I could have a word?”
Emily nodded, and Ace gave him a long stare back. “I’d like that,” he said as he waved Ken forward. “Right this way.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
Mirabelle wrappedher arms about Emily’s shoulders. While they now lived in the same house, she felt as though they’d hardly spent a moment together. “How are you?”
“I’m wonderful,” Emily gushed as she hugged Mirabelle back. “Being married is just…”
Mirabelle waited, not realizing she held her breath until Emily finished. “Magical.”
Magical?
Mirabelle had been friends with Emily for a few years, they’d volunteered together at a local orphanage. And while Mirabelle had always peppered Emily with questions about all the events she attended, Emily had never been very enthusiastic in her answers. She didn’t like society or their events. “Ace is the best of my brothers.”