Page 54 of The Rogue’s Countess

“But you barely know each other.”

“Actually, we met five years ago.” Phoebe winced at her friend’s astonishment before she shook her head.

“Five years ago,” Constance exclaimed. “You never said anything. I simply assumed you’d only just met.

“I was still married to Alfred at the time, so nothing came of it. When Gideon returned from Amsterdam, things simply progressed from there.” Phoebe choked out the half-truth as she remembered the incident that had led her to this point in time.

“Do you love him?” The small note of censure in her friend’s voice made Phoebe’s entire body jerk as her heart twisted painfully in her breast.

“Yes,” she whispered. At her reply, Constance sank down in a chair next to her.

“That was not a very confident yes.”

“I do love him, Constance. I love him more than I thought it possible to love someone,” Phoebe said fervently as she met her friend’s gaze for a moment before dropping her head to stare at the purse in her lap.

“But?”

At the single word question, Phoebe looked up at the other woman who was studying her with concern. How could she possibly explain that she was about to marry a man who didn’t love her? Dragging in a deep breath, she released it as she met her friend’s uncertain gaze and tried to find a way to answer Constance’s question.

“It’s the Chronicles you’re worried about.”

“Yes.” Phoebe gratefully accepted the lifeline her friend had unknowingly thrown her. “Mr. Currer will meet an untimely death after the next few installments are published. The problem is how to write my chapters without Gideon discovering the truth.”

Constance nodded her head at Phoebe’s problem. Her friend remained still for a moment before she rose to her feet to pace the floor. While walking back and forth in front of Phoebe, the countess raised her hand to nibble on the tip of her thumb. She suddenly halted her pacing to look at Phoebe.

“How are you paid for your articles?”

“In pound notes. I have always delivered my next installment to my editor in person and received payment at that time. Mr. Meade wasn’t happy about the arrangement, but I refused to budge on the matter.”

“Does the man know your real name?

“No, and he would not recognize my face as I have always worn a veil to hide my identity.” Phoebe shook her head. “I was worried someone from the Set might see me going into the newspaper’s offices and connect me with the Chronicles.”

“Then it’s unlikely Gideon will learn you’re P. Currer if you can keep the chapters a secret.”

“Actually…” Phoebe sighed as she remembered her conversation with the marchioness early this morning. Constance frowned with concern.

“Actually, what?”

“I am fairly certain Lady Wrotham knows I’m P. Currer.”

“Good lord,” Constance exclaimed. “Are you certain?”

“I think she deduced it from things I’ve pointed out in the Chronicles that have amused her,” Phoebe replied as she shook her head in confusion. “She gave me her word that she would never reveal my secret, and I believe her.”

“As would I.” With a nod, Constance indicated her strong belief in the marchioness’s word. “Just like Lady Wrotham, I will never tell anyone your secret. Even if your Mr. Meade revealed anything, what more could he say other than that P. Currer is a woman.”

“The real problem is finding a specific time when Gideon isn’t at home, so I’m able to write without being discovered,” Phoebe said softly as she tried to remember Gideon’s daily schedule.

Even if he had a standard routine, their marriage could easily change that. Phoebe had no idea when she would have any private time to write. With the gala this coming Saturday, and no date set for when they would leave on their wedding trip, her time was even more limited.

“I have a solution for that as well,” Constance said with a smile. “You will write your chapters here.”

The satisfaction in her friend’s voice made Phoebe’s heart skip a beat. Was it possible she could do that?

“Are you certain, Constance? I do not—”

“It will not be a problem at all. You will simply be spending time with me,” Constance said with a small laugh. “Now, when and where do I need to be for this wedding?”