“I dare say you are lying,” Rebecca said.
With gentle care, she set her needlework down on the sturdy oak table next to her and turned to face Phoebe, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. “You have been moping and distracted for days. I need not ask why, for I already know. But it is clear you need to talk to someone. You cannot keep everything bottled up inside. You will go mad.”
Phoebe gave a slight shake of her head. “There is nothing to discuss. Father ordered me to marry the duke, and I shall.” She notched her chin in feigned confidence. She may not wish to marry him, but she was determined to fulfill her duty none the less.
“Nonsense,” Rebecca moved to sit beside Phoebe. “There is plenty to discuss. To begin with, what has been running through that pretty head of yours?”
A grin pulled at Phoebe’s lips. She could scarcely help but smile when Rebecca complimented her in such a way.
“There, that’s much better.” Rebecca beamed. “Now, let us talk about all that is bothering you. Perhaps I can be helpful. At the very least, I can provide reassurance. I am married to the duke’s cousin, after all.”
Phoebe sighed, her shoulders rounding as the fight left her. “It is only that I do not know what the duke is thinking. I have not seen or heard from him since before Father demanded we marry. I scarcely believe he intends to honor the agreement.”
“Oh, I assure you, Graham will take you to wife.” Rebecca stood from her seat, strode toward the sofa, then lowered herself to sit beside Phoebe. “Graham is not completely without honor.”
Phoebe gave a sardonic laugh. “I cannot believe it has come to this. You know, it was all because of the storm. Had I not been so frightened, none of it would have happened. We would not have been alone. My dress certainly would not have been removed.” She shook her head. “What an unconscionable mess I have made!”
Rebecca took Phoebe’s hand in hers. “The blame is not yours alone. Graham knew perfectly well what the consequences of his actions would be. There is a spark between the two of you, and it is only natural that it would ignite under such circumstances.”
“He never meant to get caught,” Phoebe argued. “We never meant to be caught.”
Rebecca waved a hand in dismissal. “Regardless, things have a way of working out. It is obvious the two of you share an attraction. The rest will sort it’s self out.”
“I wish I could be so optimistic, Rebecca, but alas, I cannot.” Phoebe averted her gaze, afraid her eyes might convey too much. Afraid they would reveal her secret—the fact that deep inside, she had feelings for Graham. “I do not believe he will make a good husband. I fear he will abandon me or spend the rest of our lives punishing me for trapping him.”
“Goodness, Phoebe,” Rebecca exclaimed. “He knows well that you did not plan for this.”
Phoebe returned her gaze to her sister. “Perhaps, but even so…” her words trailed off as her throat tightened. She may never experience romantic love. Or worse, she could fall madly in love with the duke only to have her heart shattered for it.
“I believe you and Graham will make a splendid match,” Rebecca said, then offered a warm smile. “He is a good man, despite his reputation. You will see it’s true. Why look at Alex and Camden. They were rogues too, before they fell in love with me and Daphne. Mark my words, the same shall be true for you and Graham.”
Phoebe narrowed her eyes, scarcely believing the words she had just heard. “I have seen what he is capable of. Not just in the cabin with me, but also in London.” She drew in a breath before continuing. “You warned me to be cautious around him.”
Rebecca did not flinch at the accusation in Phoebe’s tone. Instead, she said, “Of course, darling, but that was before you were to become his duchess.”
“Taking me to wife will not reform the scoundrel.”
“I disagree.” Rebecca paused. “Graham loves his family. He would do anything to protect any of us. Why you should see him with his...” Her words trailed off as she smiled and squeezed Phoebe’s hand. “You will soon be his family. He will honor and protect you. I daresay he may even come to love you.”
“You cannot honestly believe such rubbish.” Phoebe pulled her hand free, then turned to retrieve her embroidery. She needed a distraction before she allowed herself to believe her sister’s words.
Unfortunately, her foolish heart had already clung to hope.
“Ha,” Rebecca said as she reached out, stilling Phoebe’s hand. “You already have a tender spot for him. I can see it in your eyes. Do you love him?”
“I…” Phoebe could no more deceive Rebecca than she could herself. She dropped her cloth and needle to her lap, then closed her eyes. “Heaven help me, I do. A tenderness that is. Perhaps the beginnings of love.” Phoebe would not call what she felt love, but nor could she deny the way he made her feel. Giddy, beautiful, safe... There was something between them, indeed.
“That is wonderful. It means you already have something to grow on.”
“No.” Phoebe shook her head. “It scarcely signifies. Graham did not want a wife. He will never love me.”
“My husband was a rogue with no plan to marry before we fell in love. Many gentlemen are.” Rebecca grinned, mischief and warmth filling her gaze. “Rogues tend to make the best husbands, you know.”
“You and Camden are different. No one forced you to wed in the face of imminent scandal.” Phoebe stood and paced toward the window. “The two of you chose each other.”
“True. However, that does not mean all is lost for you and Graham. The trick to reforming a rogue is capturing his heart.”
“Assuming he has one,” Phoebe said as she reached the window. Her breath caught at the sight of Graham strolling toward her residence. “Hells bells, he’s here.”
