Chapter 13

Thirteen

A s Michael penned the last word of his note to Richard, the footman announced Edward's visit.

"What brings you here so early this morning?" Edward sat on a leather chair on the opposite side of Michael's desk. "Deborah found herself in need of your mother's advice."

Michael checked the clock on the wall. "It's not even eleven yet."

"As you see, it was most urgent."

"I cannot fathom what my sister would want of Mother. An opinion on the latest fashion could wait until calling hours."

The corner of Edward's mouth turned up. "Yes, I believe it could. Deborah's inquiry is of more import."

Michael narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to get me to guess at your errand?"

"No."

"Then why the funny smile? Have I done something wrong?"

"Not at all." Edward's smile grew.

"Then why do you sit at my desk so early in the morning grinning like a child's puppet?" Michael pointed to his friend with his pen.

His brother-in-law raised his chin. "I am not smiling like a puppet."

Michael folded the note to Richard and melted the end of the sealing wax over the candle. "I beg you to enlighten me. It is bad enough I've had to puzzle out the meanings behind women's words, I do not need your hidden meanings, either."

"Surely, Moriah isn't difficult to figure out."

"No. It is Miss Philippa Lightwood. She agreed to be my friend and help me find a suitable wife, but when Moriah proposed an outing, which would allow me to introduce her to gentlemen. She all but refuses."

"You have an agreement with Phil? I mean, Miss Philippa. How did that come about? You had not been impressed with her at the card party, and you only danced once at Richard's ball."

"The Miss Lightwoods have been our guests since the ball ended."

"Your guests?" Edward's eyebrows rose, and his laughing smile faded.

"Miss Lightwood suffered a mishap after you left her. It was prudent to bring her here. Of course, Miss Philippa joined her."

"Are you insinuating I am in some way responsible for the Misses Lightwood being here?"

He'd never thought of it as Edwards' fault, but it could have been. "I don't know. You were going to find her a seat."

"Which I did. She was nicely situated when I left for the card room."

"Well, that was not the case when we found her injured. Perhaps if she had been sitting, she would not now be convalescing upstairs."

"I don't understand. Can you be more specific?" asked Edward.

Michael swallowed. Edward was a friend of the Lightwoods' and had alluded to Miss Lightwood's injury earlier, but there was no way to know if he was aware of the extent or the prosthesis. "I am afraid confidence doesn't allow for specifics, beyond the fact she was trod upon by someone in the crowd."

"Then why bring them here?"

"My home is much closer to the duke's than Lady Healand's at the slow speed we were able to travel the crowded streets. I felt obtaining proper help immediately was the best course of action."

Edward scratched behind his ear. "And after your tale, you find Phil to be perplexing?"

"Almost as confusing as you calling them by those manly names. I've noticed Miss Philippa uses men's names for her sisters too." Michael rubbed the wax onto the paper and sealed it.

"It is their father's fault. According to mother, he was quite insistent each child Lady Lightwood bore be male, despite his wife informing him they were girls. The oldest, as you have guessed, was named Alexander. The parish priest, of course, christened her Alexandra, because wishful thinking does not a son make. Philippa was, of course, named Philip and Georgiana named George. George's twin was such a surprise, Sir Lightwood gave Lady Lightwood the task of naming her. Hence how Jane was spared being called Johnathena, Melvina, or some other name of masculine derivative. Then William was born. And since he had his heir, Sir Lightwood gave up on naming the children. So little Rose has the most feminine name of them all. When the girls were young, Sir Lightwood called them by the male derivative name. And they naturally followed suit."

"How peculiar."

"Indeed. Could you imagine what Deborah would do if I attempted to name our child in such a way?"

"She'd have your guts for garters."

"Or worse." Edward laughed. "She has already made me promise I will be sensible with our children's names."

Michael studied his friend's face for a moment. The funny grin on him still reminding Michael of the children's puppet. "Have you had reason to be discussing names?"

Edward's eyes widened. "I am afraid you will have to wait for an answer."

"Is that why my sister must speak to Mother?"

"We've already discussed your sister's temperament. I had best not answer the question."

Michael pondered for a moment, sure his friend had indeed answered his question. He would be an uncle twice over before he could be wed. He turned the note over and addressed it to the Duke.

"Why are you writing your cousin?" asked Edward.

"Moriah has begged me to take her to the theater. I thought it best if I could borrow Richard's box for the evening."

"You will only set her up for disappointment later. She will never have such a fine seat as she will in your cousin's box."

"Would you and Deborah like to join us?"

"I am unsure of our social schedule. When is the proposed outing?"

"Not for a fortnight. I've invited the Misses Lightwood to go with us, and I have been informed Miss Alexandra Lightwood will need to continue convalescing until then."

Edward raised a brow. "Does this have to do with why Miss Philippa is perplexing you?"

"Yes, she seemed quite reluctant to accept our invitation."

"Did you not say she was helping you to find a wife?"

"Not so much to find a wife as to help me understand when a woman was being less than truthful with me."

"Whatever do you mean?" asked Edward.

"The other night at cards. I was quite sure Miss Philippa was the cause of the problem at our first round, when in fact, it was Miss Simesson who was being disingenuous. As much as my sisters have drilled into me, I do not understand people. I thought it was best I find a truthful ally to help me navigate the process as I cannot always count on my sisters' opinions to be at hand."

"And how did you choose Miss Philippa for such a position?"

"She found the list you had made of prospective brides and was bold enough to ask me why her name was crossed out. She didn't even flinch when I informed her it was because of her father's reputation. Thus we made a deal. She would be just as honest with me about her knowledge of other young women. In turn, I would help her find men who have a good character. Who would not be bothered by her father's reputation?"

"Madness. Only you could get in such an odd position."

"Why? She knows we can only be friends and has agreed to be my friend. Wouldn't a friend help me?"

Edward ran his hand down his face and sighed. "Most women would take the opportunity to entrap you. Fortunately for you, Miss Philippa is not most women."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"According to Mother, Miss Philippa is the most responsible debutante she has ever seen. The girl has been running her father's house for the last four years. The reason her card-cheating came to naught so many years ago was because she had to confess. It is her nature to be overly honest."

"Then I did not choose wrong." Michael rang the bell for the footman and handed him the note to be dispatched to Richard.

Edward waited for the footman to leave before talking again. "Choosing any woman for such a role as an advisor was improper. However, since you chose a woman, at least you were fortunate enough to choose Miss Philippa. I hope you do not come to regret your bargain."

"I'm afraid I do not understand."

"And I hope you never do."

Michael stared at his friend for a moment, then changed the topic to the agricultural book he had been reading. Science was ever so much easier to comprehend.

Alex took the book from Phil and began reading the next chapter. A knock at the door interrupted them.

Green answered and returned with a battered leather valise. Faded initials M N were carved in the handle. "His lordship's valet delivered this."

Alex held out her hands for the bag. "I can't wait to see how he repaired Peggy."

Phil leaned in close as Alex removed her prosthetic from the bag. The wooden leg was as pristine as the day Alex first got it. The valet had taken pains to remove any trace of blood from the wood. The sisters inspected the new leather work. The leather was soft and supple.

"Is it too thin? Will it break?"

Green took her turn inspecting the prosthetic, tugging and twisting every bit of it. "No, miss, this is the finest work I've ever seen."

"Lord Endelton said his valet's brother was a saddler." Phil inspected the buckles. Extra care had been taken to smooth any rough edges.

"Do you think I can wear it home?" asked Alex.

The maid frowned. "It would be best if you put no pressure on the wound for a few more days. We can ask your aunt to send my husband with the carriage to pick you up. He will carry you out."

Alex frowned. "Can I not walk from at least the door to the carriage? I don't want to give Lord Endelton's neighbors any fodder for gossip."

Green turned to Phil. "How many steps are there in the front of the house?"

"Three, maybe four."

The maid inspected the prosthetic again. "Only those few steps. And with your sister by your side supporting you."

"How soon can we leave?" asked Alex.

"As soon as Lady Healand can send the carriage," said Green.

Phil rose from her seat on the edge of the bed. "I'll ask for a message to be sent."

She had hoped to find Lady Endelton in the sitting room, but it was empty, as was the parlor. Finally, Phil braved knocking on the open door to the study where she could hear someone talking to Lord Endelton. Both men stood as she entered the room. Thankfully, it was not the duke but their old friend, Edward.

"Pardon my interruption. I was hoping to send a message to my aunt. Alex is well enough to return, and we are in need of the carriage."

"You're certain?" asked Lord Endelton.

"Yes, our maid who has cared for Alexandra for several years has approved."

"And my mother?"

"I was unable to locate Lady Endelton, hence the interruption."

Edward sighed. "She is closeted with my wife and no doubt will be for some time. We brought my father's carriage. If you would like, you may use it to facilitate your return. I have no doubt my driver will return long before we are ready to leave."

"Very kind of you. If it is no imposition, we can be ready to leave within half an hour."

"I'll let my driver know," said Edward.

Lord Endelton nodded in agreement. "Have your maid ring for the footman when your bags are ready."

Phil looked from one man to the other, again glad the duke was not present. "There is another thing. My sister will not be able to walk down the stairs. Usually our maid's husband carries her. Do you have someone who might help her?"

"I carried her up; I can bring her down," answered the viscount.

She doubted he had ever carried someone down the stairs. It wasn't easy finding one's footing when you couldn't see your feet. "Not to be contrary, my Lord, but carrying a person downstairs is much more difficult than up."

"There is a carry we use in the Navy when a person is injured where two men link arms to make a chair." Edward demonstrated half of the position. "Would that work?"

Phil was familiar with the lift as she and her sisters had performed it many times. "Yes. I am sure two footmen could if they are available."

Lord Endelton looked at Edward before answering. "No need for footmen. The two of us are capable."

Phil pursed her lips. Alex would probably prefer footmen, but arguing would be impolite. "Very well. My sister insists she walk between the front door and the carriage. She doesn't want to give your neighbors cause to talk."

"I doubt they are sitting at the window watching," said Lord Endelton.

Edward laughed. "Three doors down, there is a woman almost always sitting at the window when we come."

"I've never noticed." The Lord's brow crinkled. "Three doors down? The dowager countess. She doesn't get out much in society."

Exactly the kind of observation she and Alex wished to avoid.

"Thank you. I must return to my sister now." Phil bobbed her head and hurried from the room. Lord Endelton was entirely too kind. His willingness to help her sister went well beyond what she expected from any member of the ton, including Edward. Perhaps, despite his list, there was a way to convince him Alex was his perfect match, as he was definitely a good match for her sister. And those soft brown eyes were not at all difficult to look at, especially when he smiled.