Chapter 26

Twenty-Six

A lex walked the length of the corridor and returned to their bedroom. "This new Peggy is the best yet. I don't feel the need for a cane. I still cannot believe he had it nearly finished when we arrived."

"Will you try to dance?" asked Phil.

"No. I wouldn't dare. But I shall not draw so much attention to myself if I do not need my cane." Alex sat on the bed and pulled up the hem of her dress. "With the extra hinge, the ankle is not so finely turned. And I will need a heavy stocking to hide it. This one is much too thin."

"I will see to it right away," said Green. "His lordship will be so pleased you like your new prosthesis."

"Thank you, Green. Do you think it will be possible to find some today? We are likely to have callers."

"I'll go myself." Green hurried from the room.

Alex turned to Phil. "Now she is gone, you can finish telling me your tale."

"There is nothing more to tell. Grandfather asked we leave, so we did."

"Yes, there is more to tell. How do you feel now Lord Endelton declared himself?"

"It may not have been his intention. You know he doesn't always understand what is said."

"That may be true, but he does understand what he says. Now tell me all."

Phil sat on the bed next to her sister. "Last night my nightmares and my dream happened at the same time in the same room. I hardly know if I am awake now or if it truly happened."

"The bouquet in the parlor testifies something occurred. Lord Endelton has never sent you flowers before."

"Therefore, I am cautious in my optimism."

Alex gripped Phil's hand. "I am more hopeful. I have seen how his countenance changes when he speaks with you. He is quite enamored."

"I am not so sure. What if he only likes me because his cousin tells him not to. Like the toy our nurse would put on the highest shelf. Then, when she pulled it down, we found it was no different than every other wooden horse in our collection, and she had only used it to convince us to do her bidding. What about when he realizes I am not so special?"

"Impossible. Because you are. There is one part of your story which puzzles me because it made you blush. Why did you blush when he asked if Mr. Newcomb had hurt you?"

"It is nothing." Phil willed the heat in her cheeks to recede.

"Liar. You are blushing again."

Unconsciously, Phil touched the spot above the bruise. "Lord Endelton touched me with his ungloved hand. And—" As silly as it sounded, her sister would not give up until she told. "—it tingled. Not like when a spider crawls on me. It was pleasant."

"Is this the first time?"

Phil thought back on her interactions with Lord Endelton.

"No, but I have been trying to not think of anything other than friendship. I don't know if I dare hope for more."

At precisely two o'clock by the chiming of the nearest church tower, Michael knocked on the door of Lady Healand's townhouse. A butler opened the door, but instead of showing him into the parlor, Michael was directed to the study where he found the earl behind the desk.

"Right on time. Good, good. Have a seat young Endelton." Michael sat in the straight-backed chair near the desk.

"I have received word, my son-in-law is traveling to London. Since he rarely comes directly to town, I expect you have two or three days before he arrives, and then the madness ensues."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Unless the news reaches him first, Sir Lightwood will expect to find his daughter engaged to the odious Mr. Newcomb. My son-in-law's temper is of a violent nature. My first priority is to keep my granddaughters safe. If you are not pursuing my darling Philippa in earnest, then I ask you leave now so I may make a provision to protect them."

"My … my … suit is in all earnestness. If she will have m-me." Michael couldn't recall ever stuttering in his life.

"I will do all I can to assist. Go. She is waiting in the parlor with her sister. We can see the whole of the little park from the windows if you wish to talk privately."

Michael's head hurt. Was the earl pressuring him to propose? Not today. Surely it was much too soon according to what Deborah told him. A footman led him to the parlor. The ladies sat working some sort of needlework as they spoke.

Lady Healand gestured to the chair nearest Philippa. "Welcome, Lord Endelton. I'm glad to see whatever my father said when he waylaid you did not scare you away."

"I do not think he meant to scare me." Michael sat in the indicated seat.

"Should I order tea now or after you and my niece take advantage of the sunshine and take a turn around the park?"

Everyone seemed insistent he go to the park. Not a bad idea as it was the only place to talk privately. He turned to Philippa. "I believe they want us to leave."

"So it seems. Perhaps they find watching people circle the park a form of entertainment."

"Is a walk in the park agreeable?" asked Michael. "Quite. I'll fetch my bonnet." Phil and Michael stood at the same time.

"No need. Green left it with the footman. Go on now." Lady Healand waved them out of the room as one would shoo cats. It was a shame she had to wear a bonnet. It hid her eyes from him and shadowed her smile. Although the blue bonnet did make her eyes all the bluer. Michael offered his arm and they crossed the recently cleaned street. Safely in the park, they looked back at the house to see three figures watching from the window.

Phil turned away first, tugging at his arm. "I apologize for my aunt. I don't believe she meant to oust us from the house."

"Your grandfather also advised a turn about the park after informing me he could see the entirety from his window."

"So he can. They are pleased you have come to call."

"Are you pleased?" He held his breath waiting for her answer.

"Not pleased." She smiled at him. "Delighted."

"May I continue my suit?"

"I'd like nothing better."

Michael returned her smile. They walked in amiable silence around the next corner. "I am not sure what I am to do next."

"I believe it is customary for us to talk as often as possible so we may determine if we suit."

Of course they did. He didn't need more walks to determine that. "Do you think they will always push us out of the house when I come?"

"Not if it is raining."

"What else must I do?"

"We could go to events together, perhaps the menagerie at the Tower."

"Oh, yes. Deborah mentioned it was a good place to court."

"Taking a turn about the park is pleasant as well."

"Should I take you for a ride in Hyde Park?"

"That depends."

Michael tilted his head.

"If you are driving the curricle, I say no. You do not enjoy driving it, and I would not enjoy worrying we might crash."

"If I had a coachman drive?"

"Then definitely."

"Would you like to go to the theater again?"

"That would be delightful."

"I will ask Richard for his— That reminds me." Michael dug the folded paper out of his breast pocket. "This is for you from the duchess."

Phil broke the seal and read the invitation. "Do you know what this is?"

"Yes, she is holding one of her musical nights. It is short notice. Are you already engaged?"

"No, but I am expected to perform. I am not skilled at playing."

"Didn't you once say your sister played, and you sang?"

"For family and the Godderidges. This is very different. Grandfather has been having Aunt plan such an evening as this. I am sure ours will not be as grand."

"You may decline." He hoped with all his heart she would not.

"I'll have to ask Alex before I can accept."

"Lady Healand and your grandfather are included in the invitation."

Phil was silent for several paces. "She isn't upset with me and trying to exact her revenge for my dancing with the duke, is she?"

"No. Why would she do that?

Phil laughed. "Because she can. Neither you nor your cousin ever call her by name. Which makes me think she could be vindictive."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I. Not every person's motives are understandable."

Movement in the windows of Lady Healand's town home caught his attention. "We are still being observed. I thought they would grow tired of watching us walking."

"Of course they are watching. We are out without a chaperone," said Philippa.

"And they are curious."

"Did your mother and sister come yesterday as our chaperones?"

"I asked them to come in case there were many visitors. Since there were none, they were good chaperones."

They completed the third side of the block and rain drops began to fall. "Would you like to come in for tea?"

"Philippa."

"What?

"Your name. I was thinking about it, and it came out."

She moved closer to him. "When we are alone you may use my Christian name."

"Mine is Michael."

"I know. I heard it once."

"Will you say it?"

"Michael."

The sweetest sound he'd ever heard was his name on Philippa's lips as her eyes met his. Lips he had the urge to kiss despite the audience in the widow. A raindrop landed on her nose reminding him he should be indoors.