Phillip handed his mother and the two Stanton sisters into the first carriage, and Darcy handed Elizabeth, his cousin, and his sister into the second.
The men mounted their horses, and the cavalcade moved forward. Three hours later, the carriages stopped under the shade of an oak grove where they would rest for an hour. The horses were led to a stream to drink, and the women were handed down to walk and stretch.
Richard reached for Anne, taking her by the waist as he helped her down. He bent close, whispering something that brought a blush to her cheeks, and as they walked away, his head remained bent as he continued to speak privately with her.
Phillip turned toward the quiet sister and, extending his arm, said, “Miss Anise, will you do me the honor? A short walk now will make the rest of the journey easier.”
Lady Helen filled an awkward pause by turning to the sister she favored. “Abby, my dear, give me your arm. We shall take a littleturn together.” Abby complied at once, slipping her arm through her ladyship’s and falling into step beside her.
Phillip led Anise down the shaded lane, a short distance ahead of the others.
“Miss Stanton, are you well? You appeared earlier as though you were preparing to stand trial at the Old Bailey.”
Her cheeks colored, and she kept her eyes fixed on the path. “No, my lord, as I said before, I am perfectly fine. You need not concern yourself.”
“Hmm,” he replied, one brow arched in disbelief. “Perfectly fine. That is your polite way of saying you are uncomfortable. Is there anything I might do to render your journey more tolerable?”
The woman’s cheeks deepened in color, and she gave a slight nod without raising her eyes. “My lord, you refine too much. I prefer the company of family and long-held friends. New faces and occasions leave me uneasy, though I already begin to feel more at home. Pray do not trouble yourself on my account.”
Phillip inclined nearer, his tone lowered just enough to draw her glance. “Then I must conclude that my very attentions add to your discomfiture. I shall endeavor to mind my manners, ma’am, and strive not to press my attentions with undue boldness.”
Anise faltered in her step, uncertain whether to laugh or protest, but Phillip’s smile was so easy, and his expression so at peace, that she was able to calm and enjoy the walk.
Behind them, Elizabeth observed the group as they spread along the path. Lady Helen, walking arm in arm with Abby, kept her eyes fixed on her son, though she was careful to school her face to an expression of indifference. Abby’s composurenever wavered, and she talked easily with her companion. Darcy, oblivious to the little drama, walked contentedly between Elizabeth and Georgiana while they spoke of plans for their holiday. Elizabeth glanced behind and saw Richard and Anne strolling arm in arm, his head inclined to catch her replies. She took a deep breath to relieve her nerves. At least that attachment was going well.
Chapter 84: Trifling
At dusk, the party reached the first stop along their route, a handsome coaching house with clean whitewashed walls and a broad yard filled with the clatter of wheels and horses. Darcy had arranged for the best rooms, and after bathing and dressing for dinner, they gathered in the private dining parlor set aside for them.
The meal was plentiful, with roast fowl, cold ham, fresh bread, and good wine. The conversation at first was general: the state of the roads, the scenery, and the quality of the service, but soon splintered into smaller circles.
Phillip placed himself between the Stanton sisters. With Abby, he was playful, teasing her about the way she had supported Lady Helen on her morning walk.
“You looked every inch the dutiful daughter, Miss Abby. One might suppose you were already well practiced in managing difficult relations.”
Abby arched a brow, her voice cool but amused. “If by difficult relations you mean strong-minded ones, then yes, I am well practiced.”
Phillip’s grin was quick. “Spoken like a woman who knows how to keep her footing.”
Then, as easily as turning a card, he shifted to Anise, who sat quietly at his other side. He lowered his voice just enough for her to hear.
“And you, Miss Anise, are you still contented just to listen? Or have you found the courage to answer my questions yet?”
She colored but said softly, “I may answer when the question is worth the asking, my lord.”
His eyes gleamed, a mix of surprise and amusement. “Touché. I shall have to raise my standard, then.”
Elizabeth, seated across the table, saw the faint flicker of distress cross Abby’s countenance when Phillip bent toward her sister and spoke privately. It looked like jealousy, but it vanished so quickly that Elizabeth scanned the table and was grateful that no one else, except his mother, had noticed the slip. Once again, Lady Helen’s brow was furrowed.
Darcy, seated beside his wife, ate his dinner in silence, but he was fully aware of the debacle unfolding across the table between Phillip and the twin sisters. He glanced at Richard and was pleased to note that his cousin was wholly absorbed by Anne, keeping her in a constant state of amusement.
By the time steamed puddings and a dish of preserved fruits were on the table, the Stanton sisters were both visibly caught by Phillip’s presence, though in different ways. Abby sparred with him, her wit sharp and cutting, while Anise was drawn in by his quieter challenges. Lady Helen sat straighter in her chair, no longer smiling nor at ease.
Elizabeth, eating her pudding, was disappointed that Phillip was playing a dangerous game: enjoying the company of the two sisters at the risk of losing both. At the same time, his mother schemed for one, and fate might have its own designs.
That evening, when the company had retired to their chambers, Elizabeth sat with Lady Helen in the small withdrawing room and listened while the angry mother vented. “I am so angry with Phillip. How dared he toy with both sisters as if it were a game? These women are not like the London society misses to whichhe is accustomed. These sisters have genuine feelings; they are sincere and rational women who are inexperienced in the ways of society. He thinks himself charming, but I fear he trifles too far. Abby must not be lost to him, yet he risks driving her away.”
Elizabeth nodded gravely. “Yes, he divides his attentions too evenly. Abby is spirited enough to spar with him, but her composure slipped for an instant tonight when he bent toward her sister and practically brushed her ear with his lips. If he goes too far, he will lose both, because they are very loyal to one another.”
