Chapter 24

Twenty-Four

W ater ran in rivulets down the window. Phil leaned against the window frame, watching carriages splash through the puddles. A footman hurried from the house next door and down the street. She'd been in London long enough not to hope the rain would keep callers at bay. It would lengthen the duration of the visits, as the ladies would hope for a break in the rain.

A tap on the door interrupted Phil's thoughts.

"The parlor is ready for your callers. Cook has prepared refreshments, as her ladyship directed," said the housekeeper.

"Thank you very much. I'll be down directly."

As soon as the housekeeper left, Phil checked her appearance in the mirror. She was presentable enough for callers, most of whom would be her aunt's friends.

On the way to the parlor, she stopped at the study. "Grandfather, will you be joining me to receive callers?"

"No. The last thing I want is some widow getting it into her head that I need a wife. If I see a gentleman come, I'll join you. I'd much rather discuss politics and the cost of tea."

"I am afraid the at-home shall be very dull, and Aunt has several friends who are widows." As yet, Alex and she had but a few friends. The Godderidges's at-home day was the same as Aunt's so she would hardly be expected to see them.

Grandfather laughed. "I will stay near enough to ensure they properly chaperone you until four thirty when I must leave. A maid will stay in the parlor during my absence."

"Mr. Newcomb has yet to return. I shouldn't need a chaperone."

"He can't be your only male caller, can he?"

"I am afraid he has been for several weeks now."

"The ton has been overrun by idiots if gentlemen are not lining up at your door." Grandfather looked properly affronted. Phil laughed. "On the contrary, I am not the wealthiest, the prettiest, or titled. I am fortunate someone deems me of notice at all."

"Poppycock."

It felt good to have someone defend her. Pill settled into the parlor shortly before the first caller was announced. As she expected, most of the early callers were friends of her aunt's. After expressing disappointment Lady Healand was not in, they lingered exactly a polite fifteen minutes instead of their usual half hour. Phil did not feel slighted in the least, as she would have had difficulty filling more time with conversation.

Miss Abbott entered the parlor, followed by her mother. Phil hoped she masked her surprise, as they had never visited before. They looked around the room before taking seats next to each other.

Mrs. Abbott skipped the usual polite greetings. "Where is Lady Healand?"

"My aunt was summoned on an errand which could not be put off. I apologize for any inconvenience." Phil repeated the line she used a half dozen times already.

"And your sister? I so wanted to speak with her." Miss Abbott's voice lilted in a peculiar fashion, as if she was trying on a new cadence for the first time.

"Aunt Healand required my sister to accompany her." None of her aunt's friends had asked after Alex, but they had not been of the same age. "Would you like tea?"

Mrs. Abbott stood. "Come, dear, we have other visits."

Stunned by the Abbotts' rudeness, Phil's smile wavered. She hardly had time to wonder before the footman announced another mother-daughter combination. Phil could not recall having conversed with Lady Powell and her daughter before. And Lady Charlotte had never condescended to visit her aunt. They too asked after Alex but were polite enough to stay a full quarter hour before leaving.

Other debutantes came with their chaperones. The conversations with them were eerily similar. After general greetings, each asked where Miss Lightwood was, as if they were her sister's particular friends. Upon learning she was out with Lady Healand, they took their leave quickly. Since the rain had ceased, there was no reason for them to linger. Something unusual was going on, and Phil had no frame of reference. If only Aunt Healand were here.

Another two women had come and gone. Lady Endelton arrived with Moriah and Deborah. As friends, they were welcome. Surely they wouldn't react as the others had.

A moment later, Lord Endelton was announced.

Phil reached for her teacup, hoping the last few drops would alleviate the sudden dryness on her tongue.

"Welcome."

Lady Endelton and her daughters seemed amused rather than surprised at his entrance. Only then did Phil realize they had arranged themselves so the only seat for Lord Endelton was the one nearest her. Perching on the edge of the seat, Lord Endelton's knee bounced ever so slightly. Instead of studying her or the room as the previous guests had, Lady Endelton and her daughters watched Lord Endelton.

"How do you do?" His question wasn't as firm as his normal speech.

"Well, thank you. I apologize for Lady Healand's absence." For the first time that day, Phil mentioned the reason for her aunt's absence before she was asked. "She is accompanying my sister on an urgent errand."

"I am sorry we missed them," said Lady Endelton. The conversation turned to the usual topics, with Moriah bringing up the theater so often, Lady Endelton tapped her daughter's knee with her fan.

As the visit drew to a close, the Endelton women turned their attention to Lord Endelton, who'd not said a word since the opening of the conversation.

His knee bounced again. "You must wonder why I have come."

"Was it not to escort your sisters and mother?" asked Phil, as she didn't dare ask if he needed information for his list.

"Would you like to take a turn around the park?" The words rushed out of his mouth.

Moriah giggled.

"I would be delighted to. When?"

"Would a half hour be too soon?"

"Not at all. Our at-home hours are nearly to a close. And there is still some daylight left today."

Moriah giggled and was again hushed by her mother.

Lord Endelton stood, as did his mother and sisters, and bid the customary farewells.

Phil accompanied them as far as the parlor room door. The springs in the hall clock whirred as it prepared to announce the hour and the official end of callers. "Wait."

The entire family stopped and turned. She'd only wished to halt Lord Endelton. Heat warmed her cheeks. "If you will wait, but for a moment, I'll fetch my wrap, and we can take our walk now."

"As you wish."

In an act Aunt Healand wouldn't risk and shake her head at, Phil flew up the stairs in search of a wrap and a maid who could accompany them.

"Do you need information about someone on your list?"

"No." His answer was too clipped. Michael cleared his throat again, searching for words which wouldn't come.

"Is something wrong?"

"No." He'd talked with Philippa a score of times. Why was today difficult?

She stopped walking, her hand falling away from his arm as he took an extra step. "Lord Endelton, I am at a loss. We've circuited the park completely, and you've spoken no more than a few pleasantries. More than a half dozen visitors did the same this afternoon. Please tell me whatever has you so agitated and everyone acting so peculiar."

"I heard yesterday there was talk among the ton —"

Phil stepped closer, making it hard to concentrate. Michael offered his arm again, and she took it.

"Talk about us?"

"Your sister. I didn't say a word. You must believe me."

"What are they saying about Alex?"

He lowered his voice more. "She owns a prosthetic."

"May I ask how you heard the rumor about Alex?"

"The duke, naturally. From what he said, I don't think the story was known to be true." Michael didn't add that his bumbling confirmed the tale.

Philippa walked silently for a moment. "That could account for all the visitors today asking for her. There were several, including Miss Abbott and Lady Charlotte, who are not among our usual callers."

"Miss Abbott came here?"

"Yes." Phil hesitated. "Her mother is exceedingly rude. She is on your list, isn't she?"

"Not since last week. She told me never to call upon her again."

"How horrid."

"As Deborah would say, we didn't suit." He never would have approached her if not for the list.

"Our extra callers must have been seeking an opportunity to prove the existence of Alex's friend, Peggy."

It took him a moment to remember they referred to the wooden leg by name. "How would they do that?"

"Step on her toes, most likely. Kicking her in the shin would not be wise. Rose learned her lesson the hard way." Philippa laughed lightly.

"And for now, Peggy's existence will remain a mystery?"

"I suppose so. I only said my aunt and sister were out. You needn't have been so nervous to tell me. Especially when your family knows the truth."

"I never told Moriah, and I am not certain Deborah knows either."

"I have not confided in her, but Edward may have, assuming he knows the full extent of it. I believe Lord and Lady Godderidge know, so it stands to reason their children know some of the particulars of the accident."

Michael felt the need to defend his family. "Neither of my sisters would have started the gossip, I am sure."

"I don't think they did." The pressure of her hand on his arm increased. "You'll recall Lady Charlotte claimed to have seen it when we left the Duke's ball. There was an incident at the theater. She hit it loud enough people outside of the box could have heard. Alex's constant use of a cane could easily have fueled speculation. There are those who must always have a tale to tell."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Perhaps diminishing a person makes another feel greater. Or women believe they can eliminate the competition. Not that Alex was competing with any of them."

"No one has expressed interest—" Michael stopped. "Pardon my rudeness."

"Do not fret on Alex's account. She no longer needs to depend on a good match or our father for her future."

"How?"

"Our grandfather, the Earl of Whitstone, has been very generous and has found a way to secure her future and give us hope for our own."

This revelation didn't bode well for Michael. How would he ever convince Philippa to court him if she had no need for a husband? "Then you no longer need to marry?"

"I wish to, but I no longer fear having to choose a marriage simply to avoid my father's plans."

"What plans?"

"He has chosen a husband for me. A man who has five children. Since he is a friend of my father's, I have ample reason to avoid such a match."

"What of Newcomb?"

"Are you concerned on my part, my friend?"

The word friend, while once welcome, now stung Michael's heart. "Of course. He reminds me of our old priest, always lecturing on and on."

Again, her laugh lightened the air. "He does like the sound of his own voice."

It was Michael's turn to stop. "You are not serious about him then?"

"Mr. Newcomb has many fine qualities which make him a suitable catch in my Father's eyes, even without a title."

"Have you accepted him?"

"He hasn't asked."

Michael's lungs tightened, making it too difficult to get the next question out. "Do you mean to accept him?"

"I am trying to step around the subject, and you are not allowing me to. No, I haven't accepted him because he hasn't asked. Is your curiosity satisfied?"

The correct answer would be to say yes, but it would be a lie. Philippa hadn't said she wouldn't accept Mr. Newcomb if he offered. However, pressing her for the answer was outside of the bounds Mother set for conversation. "I don't have a list anymore."

Miss Philippa tilted her head, and the sunlight made her eyes sparkle.

Michael's mouth dried making it difficult to say the words he'd planned.

"Did you lose it? Rip it up?"

"I decided it wasn't for me. I should make my own choices."

She flung her arms wide and proclaimed to the sky, "Ladies of London! Lord Endelton's list is no more." Lowering her arms, she turned back to face him. "How are you enjoying your new freedom?"

"It is both exhilarating and intimidating." If he could get the words out to tell her how he felt it would be neither.

"I have full faith you will find what you seek. I always have. You don't need to be like the Duke of Aylton or the Lieutenant to make your way."

"But I might choose wrong."

"Whomever you choose, if she is your match, you cannot be wrong."

Michael swallowed. This was the moment he was waiting for. "Will you be attending the Simesson's ball this evening?"

"Will she be there?" It was a simple question, yet Philippa answered it with another.

"Who?"

"The person you have given up the list for. And don't tell me there is not someone you are hoping for."

"I hope?—"

A carriage stopped in front of Lady Healand's home. The Earl of Whitstone's crest stopped Michael's next words.

Philippa tugged his arm. "Grandfather is back. Would you like to meet him?"

Helplessly, Michael crossed the street behind her. His opportunity to speak openly gone.