“Have you not read the papers? Everyone in the city is talking about me.”
Frowning, Nellie sat back. “This city is much bigger than Fifth Avenue and high society. And you must ignore the small-minded people with nothing better to do than gossip.”
Harrison had said the same, but it was hard, especially when she hadn’t faced this sort of thing before. “I’ll try.”
Nellie pursed her lips, her gaze thoughtful. “Was this why I was summoned? Because you are hiding out in the house?”
Maddie grimaced. “I’m not exactly hiding. I am trying to let the scandal blow over before I venture out.”
Sighing, Nellie stood. “Let’s go. I am getting you out of here.”
“I can’t leave.”
“That’s ridiculous. Of course you may leave. Come on, we’ll go together.”
“No. I don’t want to face them.”
“We’re not paying a call to Caroline Astor’s house, Maddie. We are going to Graham’s Ice Cream Parlor.”
“I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon.”
“Yet your husband is no doubt traipsing about around town. Why are you not allowed to do the same?”
That was a good point—not that Harrison had asked her to stay inside. She’d hidden of her own volition once the story of the broken engagement and compromise hit the newspapers.
“So it’s settled,” Nellie announced. “Move your backside off that chair. You need to get out.”
It was tempting. Graham’s was close, just a few blocks away. The ice cream parlor was patronized by the masses, not only members of society, most of whom were in Newport at this time of year, anyway. So while Graham’s might be busy, there was little chance she’d see anyone she knew. “I’ll go if you promise two things. One, you won’t leave my side, and two, that we’ll leave should we find it crowded.”
“I solemnly swear.” Nellie waved her hand impatiently. “Get moving.”
Ten minutes later they entered the ice cream parlor. The walk had been uneventful, and Maddie breathed a sigh of relief when the shop was empty. They found a table and sat in the small iron chairs.
“See?” Nellie opened her menu. “No society matrons chasing you with pitchforks.”
“Yet, anyway,” Maddie murmured as she flipped through the menu pages.
They placed their orders and relaxed. It was rude to dump her marital troubles on her friend, but Maddie had always been close to Nellie. “Harrison finally confessed the reason for the house party.”
“To get time with you in order to convince you to marry him?”
“How did you know?”
“Maddie, please. Most everyone there was aware of it. He did a poor job of hiding his feelings for you.”
“Well, were you aware that he was cut off from his family and made a fortune in Paris?”
“No, but it’s reassuring he’s not a layabout like most of these society gents. There’s nothing more boring than a spoiled, entitled man.”
Maddie drummed her fingers on the table. “How are you so sanguine in the face of everything?”
“Must be due to losing my mother at an early age.” Nellie lifted a shoulder. “Life is fleeting. We have to enjoy it while we’re here.”
Reaching out, Maddie clasped her friend’s hand. “That makes perfect sense.”
Nellie smiled and squeezed Maddie’s hand in return. When they pulled apart, she asked, “So you and Harrison have been fighting?”
“Yes. It turns out he’s full of surprises.”
“Good surprises or bad surprises?”
“Both?”
“Ah, I see what’s going on here.” Nellie’s gaze turned shrewd. “Someone is annoyed that her best friend went off and grew wings without her.”
“That is ridiculous. I am annoyed that he lied about it.”
“Fine, but you expect to catch up on three years of separate lives in one day? That’s not realistic, Maddie.”
“You’re saying to forgive him.”
“Nellie!”
They both turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Katherine Delafield stopped beside their table, a wide grin on her face. “And Maddie. Hello to you both. Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hello, Kat,” Nellie said.
“Katherine,” Maddie greeted with relief. Another friend who hadn’t snubbed her. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“You too. How is—”
Katherine’s aunt walked up, a deep scowl on her face, and the conversation died. Maddie’s throat dried out in the presence of the matronly disapproval raining down on her like a thunder cloud. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Delafield,” she automatically said.
Katherine’s aunt did not acknowledge Maddie’s words. She lifted her chin and pushed gently on Katherine’s shoulder. “Come along. We must find a table far away from anyone who is considered a bad influence.”
“But Aunt Dahlia—”
“Move, Katherine.”
I’m sorry, Katherine mouthed as her aunt tugged her toward the back of the shop.
“Welcome to the bad influence club,” Nellie said with an attempt at levity in her voice, but it rang hollow.
A stone settled in Maddie’s stomach as she watched the older woman march away from the table. This outing had been a mistake. “Nellie, I’m not hungry. I should return home.”
“No, stay,” Nellie said. “The ice cream—”
“Really, I should go.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “Thank you for coming to see me. We’ll catch up later.”
Though the urge to flee burned through her muscles, she forced herself to take reasonable, unhurried steps to the door. As soon as she was outside, she dragged in a bracing lungful of warm city air. The backs of her lids tingled with tears as she walked, but she held them off. Crying wouldn’t do her any good.
As her mother liked to sometimes say, the milk had been spilled. One could only clean it up and move on.
Chapter Twenty
Maddie was restringing a tennis racket the next morning when her husband appeared. Eyeing the length of him through her lashes, she had to admit he looked quite dashing today, in a cream-colored summer suit and beige vest. Had any man ever worn clothing better?
Though he was spectacular out of clothing, as well.
She bit her lip and tried to ignore the heat suddenly coursing through her. He hadn’t joined her in bed last night again, either, and she’d missed him—and not merely as a means to cure her lust. She missed the physical closeness, the connection they shared. The way he made her laugh, his kisses.
He’d pushed so hard during the house party. Why was he backing off now?
Because he’s already won you. He doesn’t have to try any longer.
That was a depressing thought.
His mouth curved into a half smile as he lowered himself into the chair beside her. “Do you have time for me today?”
“When?”
“Now. I’d like to take a walk and show you something.”
She glanced at the racket in her hands. “I have no interest in going out, Harrison.” This shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as how she’d informed him of the ice cream outing during dinner last night.