Chapter 6

Six

P hil arose early and slipped slowly out of bed as to not awaken Alex. They hadn't shared a bed more than a handful of times since the accident. Alex often had trouble sleeping, and any movement of the bed woke her. A maid had already added a log to the fire, warming the room. The dressing room door stood ajar, and light seeped out from the crack. Phil entered and found their long-time maid sitting in the corner, hemming a dress. Silently, she closed the door.

"Good morning, Green."

Green was more than a common ladies' maid, not that the good ones were common at all. Green's father had been an apothecary, and the skills Green had learned in her father's house were of immense help to Alex. "Did Miss Alex sleep well?"

"She didn't wake me in the night, and I am determined not to wake her now."

"I have your dress ready for you, Miss." Green wasted no time in helping Phil prepare for the day. The loyal ladies maid worked for their mother and remained with them even after father had cut some of the servants' salaries. Phil long suspected her grandfather, Earl Whitstone, supplemented Green's wages.

Phil exited the narrow servants' door leading from the dressing room. The above stairs maid glanced her way and quickly turned back to dusting. Aunt's staff was slowly adjusting to Phil's unusual method of exiting her bed chamber.

Aunt Healand sat at the table in the breakfast room, her tea cooling. "I'm surprised you are awake so early. I am sure I heard giggling far into the night."

"My apologies. We didn't mean to keep you awake."

"None needed. It brings back fond memories of your mother and me during my first Season. Your grandfather threatened to send us to the attic more than once."

"You had a Season with Mother?"

"A short one. Your grandmother insisted we both be presented at court as she had been. Even then, my father despised London. Still, he only comes when there is a vote in the House of Lords he is especially keen on. Our real Season took place in Bath."

"Mother never mentioned her Season." Over the last four years, Phil concluded there were many things her mother never told them.

"Even in the crush of the Assembly rooms at Bath, your mother shone. She was ever so popular and rarely sat out. Your father arrived halfway through the Season and offered for both of us, for me first, since the earl's complicated entailment would fall to him. When I demurred, your mother, being much more practical than I, accepted the offer for the good of her children. I think she knew I had my heart set on another. Being the oldest, I should have made the match." Aunt frowned.

"Mother didn't marry for love?" She suspected not.

"No, only I did. I'm not sure which worked out better. Had your uncle and I managed to have a child who lived more than a few days, I wouldn't be so lonely now. But we had twelve wonderful years together, despite our impoverishment. Everything you see around you and my house in Lyme is my father's doing. Even my title exists only because I am an Earl's daughter. Your mother had children that surrounded her with love, even if her husband did not." Aunt sighed. "There must be some wisdom in choosing a husband. Somewhere between all heart or all mind, an elusive place exists where heart and mind can agree."

"How does one get such wisdom? I fear Alex and I will be lucky for any offer." If the few men at last night's dinner party were any indication, any interest the sisters aroused would be hard won.

"That is a question few are able to answer. As far as your chances, they are looking up. We've received an invitation to the Duchess of Aylton's ball. I suspect we are late additions to the guest list, since the ball is only days away." Aunt handed Phil the card.

Phil studied the invitation. "When did it arrive?"

"This morning which has me greatly puzzled."

"Why?"

"I have not spoken to Lady Endelton since she returned to town. We have corresponded a few times since her husband's passing. The lot of being the first widow in our circle, every friend of my youth becomes a friend again once they, too, lose a spouse."

"What would Lord Endelton's mother have to do with an invitation? We only met him last night."

"Lady Endelton's older sister is the Dowager Duchess of Aylton. It could be a coincidence that it arrived this morning, as the only other explanation is that the viscount asked his cousin, the duke, to include you. I see no other connection which would have garnered an invitation. It is unlikely he had time to make such a request of his cousin. I can only suspect Lady Endelton made the request some days ago."

Phil's nose wrinkled at the thought. "Lord Endelton could not have been impressed with me last night. First, I fell out of the carriage, then Edward accused me of being a cheat. Perhaps he was more taken with Alex than I thought. He would be a splendid match for her."

"A splendid match in need of an heir. Alexandra's injuries may prevent her from being a mother. If she is to marry, it will be to a widower who already has an heir and a spare." Aunt raised her teacup to her lips and set it down without drinking. "Spare me the long looks. Men are much more practical than women about these things. As is your sister."

"But I can't leave her to Father's whims for the rest of her life."

"Are you sure she would be better off with a man? Besides, she will have you and your sisters to visit."

"But if that man loved her…"

"From my view, love is wonderful, but love without money or status is difficult. If it was not for being an Earl's daughter, I would be making my way as a mediocre governess or a pitiable paid companion. As for your sister, I have it on good authority my father has her future well in hand. When he leaves this mortal life, she will not be left destitute."

"How do you know?"

"I have said far too much already. Your grandfather is keenly aware of the plight of all of you girls. I dare say he will live to see his hundredth birthday just to make sure even little Rose is properly taken care of."

Over seventy, grandfather claimed to be the oldest Earl in all of England. Phil had read of people celebrating their hundredth birthday. "Our grandfather is uncommonly kind."

A grunting sound came from Aunt as she ate her scone. She coughed a moment before regaining her composure.

Phil waited for her aunt to comment.

"Now about the Duke's ball. Do you think you can convince Alex to attend? It will be a crush, but being seen there will help launch both of you into the Season."

Phil's curiosity was not to be satisfied. "I can try."

"Deborah, please." Michael despised begging, yet found himself reduced to it once more to obtain his sister's help. "I need your opinion. Edward believes I read last night's card game situation all upside down and backwards and have cast the wrong woman as the villainess."

His sister wore a plain frock, not meant for entertaining. "Don't be so dramatic. Neither woman is evil. Although I dare say Miss Simesson lacks creativity in showing herself at her best. Claiming Miss Philippa tricked her into thinking one card game was easier than another is absurd."

"How so?" Michael leaned forward.

Deborah yawned. "You really should come back at a more decent hour."

"I can hardly ask you questions during your visiting hours, and it is nearly noon. We were not out late."

"Just because Edward and I returned home at a decent hour doesn't mean we received enough sleep." Her slow smile sent her brother reeling.

"Sis—um—er—you shouldn't—er" Michael couldn't find words, and his sister laughed.

"Serves you right, showing up here before I finish my morning tea. Women are not as much of a mystery as you seem to find them. Then again, you often don't seem to understand men either." Deborah sighed and set aside her tea. "According to Edward's version, Miss Simesson attempted to garner your sympathies while setting your mind against the other woman at the table. How old were you when you knew the difference between whist and piquet?"

"I'm not sure. I was still a lad."

"Precisely. I could play both games passably by the time I was fourteen. Either Miss Simesson's education is sorely lacking, or she wished to garner your sympathies. From the cut and cost of her dress, I'd be surprised if she hadn't the best education possible, from dancing masters to tutors."

"Then she lied?"

"Undoubtedly."

Michael pondered for a moment. "Why would she risk me thinking poorly of her?"

"Perhaps she thought her tears would blind you to the obvious ploy. I understand most men will go to great lengths to keep a woman from crying."

"It wasn't obvious to me."

Deborah clicked her tongue. "How is it you can be so brilliant with numbers and farming techniques and all manner of academics, but when it comes to people, you misunderstand them so?"

Michael threw his hands up. "Why is it you insist I don't understand people?"

"Because you don't. Remember the disaster of your first year when you came to London?"

Heat crept up Michael's neck. He'd spent a fortnight courting a woman who courted someone else, and according to his sisters, she expressed her disinterest in several ways. "We will not talk about her."

"Or what about when you wouldn't leave Julia alone with Sir Radcliff?"

"Our sister was supposed to be chaperoned."

"He was trying to propose. You nearly ruined it. That's why mother asked you to go to the observatory and get her whatever it was."

"It all turned out well." Michael stopped fighting his sister. The real question was why did he keep missing what others found to be obvious? Julia told him if Sir Radcliff hadn't proposed, she would have slit Michael's throat in the middle of the night, which seemed a rather severe punishment.

Deborah shook her head. "I am not sure how to help you. No wonder cousin Richard is so cross with you."

"He isn't mad at me. He is mad at the duchess."

"True. However, he is afraid you'll be duped. He didn't see his betrayal coming, and he is wise when it comes to judging people."

"How could he? He was asleep." Most likely drugged, since Richard never drank in excess and, unlike his father, he never philandered.

Deborah held up her hand. "We are not talking about Richard. Examining his situation won't help you. People are not something you can learn from a book."

Michael crossed his arms. "It would be much easier if you could."

"I suppose Shakespeare had something to say about the human condition. Or I have a few novels you might read."

"Novels? You aren't serious?"

"Some of them are quite insightful and written by women." Deborah poured herself another cup of tea.

"I would be lost before I began."

"True. Your proposal would be much like Mr. Darcy's first one. I don't think he understood people either."

"Who is Mr. Darcy?"

"A character in Pride and Prejudice , published last year by a Lady. Julia and I laughed ever so hard when we read it."

"It's a novel?"

"Of course."

"It would be much easier if you would tell me if a woman were being duplicitous." Michael needed real help, not novels.

Deborah giggled, then laughed, bending at the waist in an attempt to stop. She paused, her eyes wide, and sprinted from the room.

Edward entered the sitting room. "Whatever did you do to my wife?"

"I'm not sure. She laughed at a perfectly reasonable request, and she left."

"What did you ask her?" Edward sat in the chair his wife vacated.

"To help me understand women."

Edward laughed until tears leaked out of the corners of his eyes. After several attempts at regaining his composure, his friend spoke one feared word. "Impossible."

2.