“You as well,” Ellen whispered back as they drew closer together.
“Are you…Are you safe?” Deborah asked tentatively. “Happy?”
Ellen’s eyes shifted to look around the crowded dining room of the dinner party they had both been invited to.
“I think so,” Ellen whispered after a moment, “I do not know. After everything that has happened to me, it is hard not to worry that happiness could lead to pain.”
Deborah’s heart throbbed.
“I know what you mean,” she murmured, her eyes finding Cedric once again.
She should not have been so surprised that so many of the ladies at the dinner party seemed to be drawn to her husband immediately. He was, after all, well known for his skills.
Skills that she was starting to learn. Skills that made her adventurous and want to discover if she had any skills of her own. Skills- both hers and Cedric’s- that, as she watched him amongst the group of women, she realized she did not want to share.
Deborah was beginning to panic about such realizations. Cedric really was not hers, and she was not really his. They had an agreement, not a love match. Yet even as she repeatedly reminded herself of that, it did nothing to stay the rising territorial feelings in her chest.
“Ellen!” Deborah heard a man call from somewhere in the room, pulling her back from her wandering thoughts.
“It was lovely to see you again, Deborah,” Ellen said quietly, giving her hand another squeeze before letting go. “I hope we both find our happiness.”
Deborah forced a smile, surprised at how her eyes suddenly stung with tears.
“Me too, Ellen. Be well,” she said, letting go of the other woman’s hand.
“Friend of yours?” A deep voice asked Deborah to watch Ellen go to the man who had called for her.
She turned and vaguely recognized the features of the man Cedric had introduced her to at their wedding. Godric.
“You could say that,” she murmured as she raised her glass of wine to her lips.
Godric studied her for a moment, but his dark, unmoving expression forbade her from reading any possible thoughts. He looked just as brooding as he had at their wedding. Almost as if he were uncomfortable with being around any amount of people.
“And my husband,” she remarked as they both turned to Cedric, “Are those friends of his?”
By her side, Godric chuffed.
“Pay them no mind,” he insisted, “Trust me when I say your husband’s focus is far from anything they have to say or offer.”
It was Deborah’s turn to chuff.
“And pray, what is my husband focused on?” She asked dryly.
“You,” Godric said, his deep voice as serious as ever, “And your plan.”
Deborah looked swiftly back at him, startled by what he said.
“And what do you know of my plan?” She asked carefully.
Godric’s lips twitched, but not enough to indicate a smile. Even brooding, she realized that he was still a handsome man.
“Only that you are searching for something,” he replied, “And if you trust Cedric, hewillhelp you find it.”
Deborah’s heart fluttered as she lowered her glass. Her mind was starting to grow a little fuzzy from the frequent sips of her wine, and she wanted suddenly to feel very sharp.
“You find him trustworthy?” She asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
Godric gave a single nod.