What the Groom Wants by Jade Lee

true.
    Radley’s eyes darkened. “And who helps you, Wind? When your shoulders droop and your eyes squint against the sun?” He took a step forward, his words dropping to a near whisper. “I have never seen you so tired, and it worries me.”
    She blinked. He was worried about her? The knowledge hit her broadside. The man was now a duke, and he had come here expecting to help her move in with his mother. It was insane, and yet, here he was, looking at her in a way that made her heart tremble and her blood heat.
    “Radley,” she whispered, speaking as she had on that awful night so many years ago. “Radley, we must both walk forward, one step after another, the best way we know how.” They were the exact words she’d said so long ago, and she saw him startle. He remembered what she had done.
    “So, I am to trust that you are strong enough to do what needs to be done?”
    She had said the words to him ten years ago, and now she nodded. “Yes.”
    “I don’t.”
    Two words, spoken flatly, and she stiffened at the insult. “It worked out just how it ought.”
    He nodded. “Back then, perhaps. But I have seen too much to believe that we are solitary creatures, happier alone.”
    She frowned, not understanding what he could possibly mean. “Your grace,” she said, purposely using his formal title. It made him wince, but he did not react beyond that. “What are your intentions?”
    His lips curved in a slow smile. “To cease being a solitary creature. I am tired of it, as I suspect are you.”
    She all but laughed. “You are one day returned, and you know all about me?” He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn’t give him the time. “Men,” she answered quickly. “That’s who tire me: men who think they know me.” Then she gestured to the cart. “I need to go.”
    He bowed as he backed away, but his fingers seared where he brushed his hand against hers. “I will see you at four, Miss Drew.”
    She wanted to argue, but she could see the stubbornness in his eyes. In the end, she gave in to the inevitable with a slow, reluctant nod. In truth, she wanted to go. She wanted to walk through Hyde Park on his arm. To laugh together as they once had years ago.
    She was on the verge of saying something gracious and happy. Something that would let him know she wasn’t as reluctant as she appeared. But then, she chanced to see Lord Crowle’s face. He stood to the side, listening intently to every word.
    And he was shaking his head as if this whole thing was a very bad idea.

Six
    Wendy was ready at a quarter to four. She pretended that she was spending her time inspecting Tabitha’s work. She cast a critical eye over everything and made sure to scowl at least twice. But the truth was that Tabitha was learning quickly. And now that she had new glasses, her stitches were as neat as Wendy’s. Neater, actually, as the girl wasn’t chronically exhausted.
    “Well done, Tabby,” she finally said.
    “What?” the girl gasped.
    Wendy was a little startled. After all, the poor girl looked like she’d been poleaxed. “You’ve done a good job. No need to look like the devil just nipped your nethers.”
    Tabitha stared at her, then flushed bright red. It took a moment for Wendy to realize the effect of her colorful language. For all that she’d been working to elevate her speech patterns, her time in the gaming hells had affected her. She’d never have said something like that a year ago.
    “Sorry,” she said, feeling her face heat. “I’ve been out of sorts lately. And I haven’t been talking to you as I ought.” She pointed to a complicated dress pattern that the girl had done to perfection. “This is beautiful work, and you should know that I’ve noticed.”
    Tabby nodded, then abruptly blurted out her question. “Where do you go? You’ve been missing at all hours, and I think it’s hurting you.”
    That’s what came from complimenting an assistant. Gave them all sorts of uppity ideas about what they