Page 97 of The Rogue’s Countess

Despite her sorrow, Phoebe couldn’t help but find a small amount of pleasure in her picturesque surroundings. At the foot of the stairs, Lawrence drew her toward a small establishment that had outdoor seating. The three of them sat down at one of the tables, and Anthony waved for a server.

“Now then,” Lawrence said in a no-nonsense voice. “Out with it, Phoebe. I know when you’re unhappy, and if your husband has done anything to hurt—”

“Gideon would never raise a hand to me,” Phoebe snapped. “He makes me very happy. We make each other very happy.”

“Then who or what has upset you, and no prevarications, Phoebe.”

Faced with her best friend’s demand for the truth, Phoebe shook her head in dismay. Lawrence used his fingers to tip her chin up until their gazes met.

“Out with it, Phoebe.” At his matter-of-fact demand, tears welled up in her eyes, and Lawrence uttered a small sound of anger and dismay. “Whatever he’s done, I intend to make him pay.”

“No, it’s me. I’m the one who’s at fault,” Phoebe choked out. Beside her, Anthony muttered something beneath his breath.

“Lawrence, stop scolding her. Whatever’s causing her distress, it’s not her husband.”

“Then tell us what has you so upset, my pet,” Lawrence pleaded softly as he caught her hand and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “I’m worried about you. You look as miserable now as you did the day we met in Victoria Gardens.”

Phoebe stared at him as a wave of sorrow washed over her. Her friend knew of her past miscarriages, but this was different. This was Gideon. She’d lost Gideon’s child. Deep inside, she’d prayed she was carrying his child, only to have her hopes and prayers crushed this morning. Even though she’d known it was a likely outcome, it had done nothing to ease her pain. She met Lawrence’s worried gaze and shook her head.

“I thought I might be with child, but I’m not.”

“Oh, my pet,” Lawrence said tenderly as tears welled up in Phoebe’s eyes. “It will be all right.”

“But he married me because he thought I might be carrying his child, and now I’m not. If I can’t give him a son…I know he says he loves me, but what if he’s mistaken affection for love?” Phoebe choked back a quiet sob as she stared helplessly at Lawrence. “I don’t know what to do. What am I supposed to say? How do I tell Gideon the truth?”

“And what truth is that, Phoebe?”

The harsh sound of Gideon’s voice made her jerk away from Lawrence and quickly twist in her seat to stare at her husband in horror. Dear God, how much had he heard? The cold, forbidding look on Gideon’s face sent fear streaking through her. Clearly, he’d heard enough to consider the possibility she wasn’t with child.

The stony expression on his face was the same one she’d imagined he would have when he learned she wasn’t pregnant. Harsh and immobile, his features revealed nothing except cold anger. As she met Gideon’s icy stare, Phoebe tried to keep breathing as she struggled to think of a response to his question.

§ § §

Gideon entered the Hotel Hassler’s lobby and walked toward the registration desk. This morning’s conversation with Signore Calabrese had been a pleasant and informative one. That Phoebe had insisted he keep his appointment with the horticulturist had been an act of love on her part, and he intended to make it up to her. As he reached the registration desk, he asked if there were any messages for him. The clerk shook his head, and Gideon wondered if Phoebe had come back from her walk.

“Have you seen Lady Chelmsford this morning?” At his question, the man’s cheerful expression became one of discomfort, and he held up his hand.

“Un momento, signore.”

The clerk disappeared through a door behind him, and Gideon frowned at the man’s odd manner. Gideon heard the murmur of voices, which grew louder as the clerk returned with a distinguished-looking man.

“Good morning, my lord,” the man said quietly with the same uncomfortable expression as the one on the younger man’s face. “Luca says you were asking about Lady Chelmsford.”

“Yes. My wife had said she was planning on having breakfast in the dining room and perhaps going for a walk.”

“Luca says he saw her ladyship leave the hotel with two men about thirty minutes ago.” Clearly disconcerted, the man shook his head as Gideon stared at him in stunned disbelief. “I’m sure it is nothing to be concerned about, my lord. Luca says she did not appear to be coerced in any way but seemed to go willingly with the gentlemen.”

“Did you recognize these men?” Gideon turned his head and pinned his gaze on the young clerk.

“Mi dispiace, signore. I have not seen them before.”

“Perhaps these are friends Lady Chelmsford encountered by chance, my lord. It is not unusual for guests to suddenly find themselves face to face with those they know at home.”

What the man said was true. On occasion, while in different cities across the continent, he had run into people he knew, but Phoebe didn’t know any men in London. It made no sense that she’d leave the hotel with two strangers. Fear suddenly stiffened his limbs. What if the men had told her something had happened to him? He had no doubt that Phoebe would have allowed strangers to take her to him. She loved him and would fear for his safety.

“Which way did they go when they left the hotel?” The terse note in his voice made both men behind the desk flinch before the man called Luca pointed to a spot behind Gideon.

“Toward the Spanish Steps, my lord.”