“Difficult, but not impossible.”
As Jessica and Sophy went through the common room, the countess chattering a mile a minute, Jess winked at her sister.
* * *
“What have you done to Sophy?” Alexander demanded of Jessica.
“I have no idea what you mean, Alex,” Jess said innocently. “I merely invited her to tea at Mrs. Wentworth’s. I know you don’t trust me, so I thought your pretty lady could act as a chaperone.”
“No, I don’t trust you and with good reason. And I don’t think Sophy should be allowed out under your care. There’s no telling what will happen.”
Jess widened her eyes. “I have no idea what you mean. I merely invited your guest to a social event, nothing more.”
Alex squinted his eyes at her. “I don’t trust you.”
“What a terrible thing to say to your own wife. Have you seen the dress Sophy’s having made for me? It’s red silk.”
Alex was rubbing the back of his neck where, as usual, sweat and powder were making an itchy paste. “I’m going with you.”
“What!?” Jessica gasped. “I mean, how good of you.”
“You’re up to something, Jess, and I’m going to be there to prevent your participating.”
Thirty minutes later, Jess was asking Sophy, “Can you keep both the admiral and Alex occupied?”
“Of course,” the countess said with confidence. “I can sustain a roomful of men.”
“Good,” Jessica said, breathing a sigh of relief.
But the countess had not bargained on Jessica. After Sophy’s maids finished arranging Jess’s thick hair and dressing her in the low-cut red dress, there was the possibility that no other woman would be noticed.
Jess went to show herself to Alex. “Do you like it?”
Alex didn’t say a word.
“Alexander?” Jess said. “Are you feeling all right?”
Alex sat down.
“Come along, Jessica, we’ll be late.” Sophy pushed Jessica toward the door, then turned and hissed at Alex. “Control yourself and don’t act like a fool. She is your tiresome wife, remember?” Sophy looked at Jess standing in profile just outside the door. “Beauty like hers could inspire hatred. I will never allow my husband to meet your wife. Come on, now, control yourself. Celibacy is your choice. No wonder you have no strength in your legs.”
* * *
Jess had some difficulty at Mrs. Wentworth’s tea. For days, Alex had hung on every breath Sophy had taken but now he didn’t seem aware that she existed. He watched his wife’s every movement with a glazed expression that she found quite annoying. Sophy was telling one amusing story after another, but Alex seemed oblivious to her presence or anyone else’s—he just kept staring at Jess.
Jessica gave Sophy a look of exasperation, nodding her head toward Alex.
“Alexander!” Sophy said sharply. “Why don’t you tell the story about fishing in the canals in Venice?”
Alex was reluctant, but Sophy leaned forward toward the admiral, showing off her cleavage, and the admiral asked Alex to tell his story. As soon as Alex began, Jess excused herself to Mrs. Wentworth and headed in the general direction of the outhouse.
Once she was out of sight of the guests, she went upstairs and into the admiral’s room. She knew she had only minutes to search, so she tried to be as thorough as possible. She was about to give up when she saw a corner of white protruding from between books on a shelf. She pulled it out, glanced at it, and started to open it when a voice sounded behind her.
“I knew I would find you.”
Jess whirled to see one of the admiral’s lieutenants standing in the doorway.
“When you took so long to return, I knew you were waiting for me.”