Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“You do not typically visit me this often,” Philip said, an eyebrow raised.

It was true; Lucien was his closest friend, but that did not mean that they saw each other more than once a week. It was especially difficult to see one another when taking into account that Philip refused to leave the house.

“I am aware that you have guests, and that this might be a more difficult time for you, and so I wanted to make sure you were coping with it all.”

“I suppose you are right, although I have to say this is all going far better than I had expected.”

“I told you there would be nothing to worry about, did I not?”

“Yes, as did my mother, and I owe you both an apology for not listening to you sooner.”

It was true; now that his moment of jealousy toward his friend had dissipated, he had been able to see things a little more clearly, and he realized that he truly was happy for the first time in years. His budding relationship with Lady Jacqueline— Jackie, as she had requested, was truly beginning to blossom and he could not believe his good fortunes.

“In other news,” Philip continued, “how is the town?”

“The usual scandals. Lady Fitzharding, for example, is rumored to be with child though she is not promised to any gentlemen. The Warburtons shall be hosting a ball next month, it appears, for they were seen in the florist requesting dozens of bouquets, and Lady Ophelia–”

Philip winced.

“I would rather you knew than did not,” Lucien explained. “She has been asking after you a lot. I saw her this morning, and she asked me how you are. She feels genuine remorse for what she did, I believe.”

“That is none of my concern. She can feel as much remorse as she pleases, but I feel no burning desire to accept any of it.”

“None at all?”

“Why should I? I would much sooner leave it all where it belongs, in the past and forgotten about. I have much greater things to look forward to.”

“My, it certainly is good to see you so optimistic about things.”

“What can I say? Jackie has changed me.”

“Jackie?”

“Lady Jacqueline,” he explained. “We have agreed to call each other by our first names now.”

“Ah, that is a large step to take. Are the two of you prepared for that?”

“It feels like the right time. She is already a good friend to me, and she feels the same way about me, and so why shouldn’t we do what we feel is good for us both?”

Lucien did not seem convinced, but when it came to Jackie, Philip did not care too much as to what high society deemed acceptable. After all, who was there to witness any improprieties?

“She is a very interesting lady, is she not?” Lucien continued. “She told me that she was burdened with the upbringing of her sister when their mother died, and my heart broke for her. It is such a shame that she was never able to fully debut for longer than a year, because I am of the opinion that she could have had her pick of the gentlemen.”

“Certainly, though it seems to have worked in my favor that she did not. She also seems very content in her choice. She told me that she does not regret a thing.”

“She truly is selfless. That must be where her beauty comes from. I have always said that a lady’s beauty comes from the amount of kindness she shows to others.”

Philip did not like how complementary Lucien was about Jackie, but he had to admit that he agreed with every word and so he paid it no mind. He tried not to, at least.

“Where is she, on that note?” Lucien asked, and again that cloud of doubt came to Philip. “I was hoping to greet her while I was here.”

“I do not know. She and I tend to do as we please until we find one another. That is, of course, I have planned something for the two of us. In fact, I was going to do so tomorrow, a walk around the property.”

“I certainly enjoyed my walk with her,” he smirked. “And it is a shame that you do not know of her whereabouts. I would have known her exact location at all times if I were you.”

“Well, unlike you, I prefer to give a lady her freedom, and if she comes to me then it is all the better as it is proof that she truly wishes to be around me.”

“Yes, dukes tend to have that luxury,” he joked.

“I hope I am not intruding, Your Grace,” Jackie’s voice came as she entered.

“Not at all!” He smiled, noticing that she was carrying a tray of biscuits with her.

In truth, he had been hoping that she would not come to see him until Lucien had left, but he did not mind too much. After all, it was an excuse to see her, and he would take as many of those as were offered to him.

“Oh!” She gasped. “My apologies, Philip. I did not know that you had company.”

“Lady Jacqueline,” Lucien greeted her with a smile. “We were only just discussing your whereabouts. What have you been doing today?”

“I was in the gardens with Elizabeth,” she explained, eyeing the biscuits she had brought. “Would you like one, too?”

Lucien grinned in a way that Philip had not seen before, and then he pulled out a chair for Jackie.

“Sit with us,” he offered. “We are not discussing anything of any real importance. Nothing that cannot be for your ears, at least!”

“I always have wondered what you men discuss when us ladies are not around,” she laughed as she sat down, Lucien pushing the chair back in for her.

“And you must go on wondering,” he replied.

“Truly, that is such a shame.”

“What were you doing in the gardens?”

“Well, my sister and I used to love walking together. Before we debuted, we would circle our grounds for hours, talking about everything and nothing all at the same time. It has been one of my favorite memories for a long time now.”

“Then it is no wonder that you walked with me so easily,” he smiled. “It is second nature for you.”

“Until my stumble, that was. Thankfully, I did not fall completely.”

Philip felt rather bitter that he had not been the one to catch her, nor the one to suggest that she sat with them, nor the one that pushed her chair in. Lucien had done all of those things for him, and he could not help but resent him for that, even if he did not blame him. He was only being polite, was he not? Even so, he did not like the way he had become invisible from the moment Jackie had appeared.

He also did not like the way he had brought her into their conversation so quickly.

“We should promenade again,” Lucien suggested.

“That would be lovely! I could bring my sister along, as well as Lord Greene. You shall join us too, of course, Philip.”

Was he already an afterthought?

“I need not come with you if you do not wish,” he replied quietly, and she looked back at him with a most puzzled expression.

“I did not say you last as if I had not thought to invite you,” she smiled. “It is simply that your presence is a given in my mind. I cannot imagine doing anything social without you there.”

“Even a ball?” Lucien suggested. “Because you shall be fighting a losing battle if you wish to attend one with him. He cannot stand them.”

“Well, perhaps it is time that I try and enjoy them again,” Philip argued. “I enjoyed them once before. Who is to say that I cannot learn to like them again?”

Jackie’s eyes sparkled.

“I would so love to attend one with you! I do not wish to push you, however. We can do things as and when you are ready for them.”

Philip could not help but smile; if Lucien was trying to test Jackie’s affections, it certainly was not going to work. She was talking as though she saw a future with him, and he could not believe his luck.

“Oh! I must go,” she said suddenly. “I have left Elizabeth in the parlor, and I promised her that I would return immediately.”

“Give her my regards,” Philip smiled, and she nodded politely before rushing away once more.

“Truly, she is a gift,” Lucien commented after she left.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Talk to her so much. I barely got a word in.”

“We were having a conversation, Philip. You were more than welcome to participate.”

“Except that when I did, you made cutting comments. What was that all about?”

“It was in jest. Besides, the young lady clearly saw no harm in it. She said she wishes to attend a ball with you, for a start. You need not be so sensitive at all times. It would be far better for your health.”

“Lucien, if there is something I need to know, you must tell me.”

“There is nothing at all that I must tell you. You have found yourself a good lady, and you should feel as lucky as you are. There is nothing more to it. She is a friendly young lady, and I enjoy making conversation with her, and there should be no reason for you to feel threatened by that.”

“I do not feel threatened,” he lied. “But after what happened with Lady Ophelia, I have to admit that I am rather on edge about falling in love again.”

“Then perhaps it is not the right time for you to do so.”

“No, it most certainly is. In case you are yet to notice, I truly do like Lady Jacqueline, and I am inclined to believe that she feels the same way for me.”

“Then there is no need for you to act like this,” Lucien pointed out. “You have every reason to be completely content with what you have, and if you mean what you say and you truly wish to leave Lady Ophelia in the past, then you must do so.”

Philip knew that his friend was right. He was being possessive, and he had no reason to be; Jackie was nothing like Lady Ophelia, and he had to trust that, if they were ever going to have something between them.

Not only that, but Lucien was his friend, his only friend for some time. He had been nothing but a good and loyal person to him since they had met, and had stood by him through everything that had happened. He had no right, nor any reason, to accuse him of anything.

Besides, Lucien was an intelligent man of decent rank, and he was objectively very handsome. He could have his pick of any lady, and the only reason that he had not already chosen one was because he had been waiting for the perfect one to come along. He had his choice, so why would he choose to pursue someone that Philip was already courting? It simply did not make any sense to do so, and he had Lucien’s word, and so he would have to believe it.

He would also have to find a way to ask Jackie to accompany him on a walk without making it seem as though Lucien had been a factor in it.