CHOCOLATE, TEA AND THE DUCHESS by Brita Addams

moment."
    Felicity left her mother and went to the entrance hall. Densham was at his post
    and she asked for her cloak, her bonnet, and her husband. "Oh, I am sorry, Your Grace,
    His Grace left for Lords some time ago."
    She nodded and set about tying the ribbon on her bonnet. With that
    accomplished, she went to fetch her mother. At least she'd have a day away from the
    house that was all too quickly closing in on her.

    * * * * *

    Phillip had taken care of the needed business and was presently sitting in
    Boodles, nursing a glass of very fine whiskey and reading the newspaper. Not often did

he retreat to this all-male bastion, a fine English tradition dating back to 1762. He
    periodically deigned to spend an hour or two within the smoky environs so he might
    enjoy the society of gentlemen whom he knew from Parliament. Today, there was
    sparse company to be had, but the atmosphere was pleasant enough.
    His thoughts inevitably settled upon his young wife, about whom he had only
    the most pleasant of thoughts. They'd fallen into a nice pattern, leaving him to feel
    better about the entire matrimonial box in which he'd been placed. He spent his
    requisite three nights at the Sapphire Club and made sure to spend a night or two a
    week in Felicity's bed. She seemed satisfied.
    As always, she remained pleasant, her smiling face greeting him across the
    dinner table or in the drawing room on the evenings he was at home. She seemed to
    understand his evenings out, making his mind clearer to enjoy the sport at the club. He
    didn't deprive her of the bed play in which she had come to blossom, but neither did he
    allow his wants to go unattended.
    Tonight would be spent at the club, after a dinner with Felicity. Last night had
    been particularly satisfying in her bed, though he had not spent the entire night with
    her. He'd ended the practice shortly after they married, feeling much more comfortable
    alone as he slept.
    Having a wife was a tremendous emotional responsibility, one with which he
    had not achieved complete comfort. He'd decided early on to gauge her disposition by
    her demeanor. He must be doing everything right, because she always seemed happy.
    Swallowing the last of his whiskey, he made the decision to go home. He'd have
    to fill several hours yet before he would take his leave and go to the club. He could,
    therefore, get some work done in his library before dinner.
    As he boarded his carriage, he smiled, thinking how well things were
    progressing. Having a wife isn't as I thought at all .
    His return to Grosvenor Square was unceremoniously received. Upon inquiry,
    he found his wife away from home, having left no word as to her expected time of
    return. All the better, as it allowed him to delve through the mound of correspondence
    that plagued a corner of his desk.
    The afternoon passed into the dinner hour and still Felicity hadn't returned. He
    didn't worry, as Densham had informed him she had gone out with her mother. " Better
    her than I, " he muttered as he went about consuming a lone supper.
    Not seeing any reason to forestall his departure for the club, he gathered his
    greatcoat and made his way to the carriage. Haynes would be expecting him, and he
    intended to arrange for them to spend the entire evening together.

    * * * * *

    Felicity had spent the day and evening in her mother's company, which was
    taxing to say the least. When she returned to her bedchamber at just past nine, she
    could think of nothing but seeing her husband. She primped in the mirror before going
    to the connecting door, which stood ajar.
    Upon entry, Glennon turned in his haughty way and informed her that his
    master was not at home. No, he didn't know when he would return. Yes, he believed
    he'd gone to the club.
    A bit of loneliness, tinged with envy, irritated with a thorn of jealousy prompted
    Felicity to call for Emily. She changed into a beautiful black silk gown, which made her
    look much older than her newly-minted twenty