Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

P hilip took a dainty sip, allowing his pinky finger to stick out and watching his nieces over the top of his empty teacup. After one sip, he had made the difficult choice to gulp it all down at once, hoping to minimize the amount of time he was exposed to the questionable concoction. Apparently he was not like Ruth’s father—he would rather get it all over with than draw it out.

Mary giggled in delight, and Anne smiled with approval. “I hope the tea is to your liking.”

Philip set down his cup on its plate, but his pinky finger remained extended. “Indeed,” he said in a high-pitched, shrill voice. “The best I have ever tasted, I declare.”

More giggles ensued.

The door opened, and Alice stopped in the doorway, smiling at the scene before her. “I should rather think your tea had gone cold by now.”

“Oh, no,” Anne said. “This is a second batch. Uncle Phil drank the entire first batch.”

He had. At great cost to himself. This second batch was worse.

Alice stepped into the room. “I hadn’t any idea he was so fond of tea. I am afraid that this tea party must come to an end, though. It is time for your lessons, girls. Go on. Mrs. Morris is waiting for you.”

The girls dipped into curtsies for Philip then scurried from the room. He smiled and rose from the chair he had been sitting in—a miniscule thing meant for children. It had taken considerable effort not to break it. His thighs ached from the effort of keeping much of his weight from it.

“How are things with Miss Devenish?” Alice asked.

Straight to it, then. She was never one for beating around the bush. “Well enough. We shall see, though, after the Walthams’ masquerade.”

“There is much you should be doing now, though, Philip, in preparation for—”

“I know, Alice. I know. And rest assured, I am doing those things.”

Her brow furrowed. “It hardly seems so. You seem to be spending all of your time with that Ruth fellow.”

Philip scoffed. “Does everyone track my movements, or is it just you and Finmore?”

“I am your sister. It is my business to keep apprised of your dealings. But how did you come to befriend such a strange fellow?”

Philip shrugged. “He is an old acquaintance. Why does it matter?”

“I suppose it doesn’t. When I first saw him with you, I didn’t know what to think. Those spectacles are absolutely horrid. But he seems harmless enough. What of Finmore, though? I haven’t seen you with him as much of late.”

Philip had to stifle a laugh. That his sister would harbor qualms about his friendship with Ruth rather than Finmore was rich indeed. No doubt her concern was whether Ruth added enough to Philip’s consequence to merit the amount of time he spent in Ruth’s company. But the truth was, after spending so much time on estate business, Philip hadn’t even realized how much he needed a good friend. And Ruth was filling that role very well.

“Finmore had to leave town for a few days. Done up, as usual. He shall be back the moment he has a shilling to his name, undoubtedly.”

“Hm. Well, I hope you know that my offer still stands to invite Miss Devenish over for dinner—and to give you a few suggestions on how to win her over.”

Philip forced a smile. “You are ever helpful, Alice, but no thank you.”

She sent him a dissatisfied look. “One would think you would wish to try everything in your power to ensure your success with her, not that I doubt that you will be. Successful, I mean. I have been thinking about it ever since you mentioned her as your choice, and I am of the opinion that you couldn’t do better for Oxley Court than Miss Devenish. Certainly she is not from a titled family, which is regrettable, of course, but the Devenishes are nearly as ancient as the Trents, you know, and—”

“I am aware of all the things Miss Devenish has to recommend her.”

She smiled. “I know you are. I just want you to be successful, Philip. Oxley Court has been far too long without a mistress, and everyone awaits news of your choice with bated breath. I am merely glad that you have made such a fine choice, and I look forward to the time when I can greet Miss Devenish as my sister.”

He offered a tight smile in return. Her words were little comfort to him. She continued to assume that Miss Devenish would accept him, and the more Alice pressed him on the matter, the more annoyed he became; the more he found himself wanting to do something contrary. He quashed the immature desire.

“Thank you, Alice.” He kissed her cheek. “I am afraid I must go now.”