Chapter Twenty-Three
TERESA HAD NEVER seen her husband so nervous before. He didn’t show it in any obvious way, but she could tell. Perhaps it was the way he held himself, with his back so stiff. Or maybe it was the smile that, though charming as ever, seemed painted on to his face, never reaching his eyes. Whatever it was, she knew that he was uncomfortable.
She was not feeling entirely comfortable herself. Not only had they not been to a party in a week, but now she realized that she was the one who had to take the lead. Richard, she knew, was not going to have an easy time slipping into his merry self.
She looked around the room trying to find likely people with whom she felt most comfortable. Since she was going to have to be outgoing and charming, she needed to be with friends.
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