Page 42 of When We Touch

“Indeed, it’s nearly a marriage made in heaven.”

“There! You love your husband.”

Cecilia hesitated just a moment, then shook her head. “Maggie, Maggie! Of course I love the fellow. He’s provided magnificently for me.”

“Congratulations. I’m very happy for you.”

“We’ve two sons now, you know. A three-year-old and a two-year-old. One to inherit, and a backup.”

“Cecilia, what a way to talk about your children.”

“Oh, I adore the little urchins. But you’ve always been such a practical girl, Maggie. Surely, you still are.”

Maggie must have stared at her a little blankly because she leaned forward then, a strange smile curling her lips. “Maggie, please! Eustace prefers different company.”

“He has mistresses?”

Cecilia giggled. “No, silly. He prefers . . . the company of men. I always knew, of course. Ours was very much so an arranged marriage. We’ve done the proper thing and produced two legitimate heirs. Now, he enjoys himself as he prefers . . . and I do the same. And we’re very dear friends. Actually, ours is a far better marriage than most. We never fight. And!” She lowered her voice, speaking excitedly, “I tell you, I know many a rumor about young Prince Eddy is true, because Eustace has assured me that it is so!”

Maggie gasped. “My brother is friends with Prince Eddy.”

Cecilia laughed, shaking her head. “Your brother and many other a man with more customary preferences is friends with the Prince. There are friends, and there are friends.”

“I’m relieved.”

“Are you judging?” Cecilia asked.

“Never. I’m just hoping my brother will find the woman of his dreams soon, marry, and produce an heir.”

“Well, my Lord, he should be able to do so easily enough. He’s as handsome as a fairy-tale prince!”

“Thank you.”

“So! You’ll be the wife of Viscount Langdon. It will be fine. The old fellow has a child, doesn’t he? Oh, that’s right, how could I forget? A daughter. He’ll be trying for a son. Give him that heir as quickly as you can, and you’ll be on your own.” Her eyes twinkled. “Have you considered any prospective lovers?”

“Good Lord, no!”

“Oh, come, Maggie! You might be a widow as we sit, but you’re young and, sad to say, you were the most stunning among us the year we hit society. I’ve no lack of confidence, myself, mind you! Maggie! This wedding is tomorrow. I have an idea. Come out with me tonight. I know places where we can go. I can see already that you’re thinking about being all moral and dedicated and loyal once you’ve wed, but . . . well, you’re not wed until tomorrow. Let’s play tonight!”

“Cecilia,” Maggie began, but her words caught in her throat. Looking just a few feet beyond her friend’s parasol, she froze. There was a man at a nearby table, now peering at the two of them over the top of his newspaper.

He hadn’t been there when she had first chosen the table.

It was Jamie.

He lowered the newspaper. She wasn’t certain whether he was just realizing that she was there as well or not. He stood. “Why, Lady Graham. How lovely to see you. And your friend, of course.”

“How lovely to see you!” Cecilia exclaimed, looking him up and down a bit too boldly. “Sir James Langdon! Indeed, what a pleasure.” She extended an elegantly gloved hand. “We have met.”

“Forgive me, then, my memory is sadly faulty.”

“Cecilia, Lady de Burgh. You knew me as Sir Cavanaugh’s daughter.”

“Ah, yes. Forgive me. What a pleasure to see you again.”

“Well!” Cecilia said, “How amazing that the two of you should just happen to meet at a coffee shop, just the day before the wedding! You must be delighted for your uncle, Sir James.”

“Indeed. Delighted,” Jamie said.