‘Phoebe!’ Sophie protested, dissolving into infectious giggles again.
Within seconds, they were both stuffing their pillows in their mouths for fear of waking the entire household.
‘It’s so like you to have been twice rescued by a gentleman you cannot even abide!’ Sophie gasped when she could. ‘And yet for a while I thought perhaps you did like him, becausehe’s different to everyone else,’ she continued. ‘Proud yes, but also a little …heroic,I think?’
Phoebe rolled her eyes.
‘Fetching a doctor for an injured person and helping drag a schoolchild from pondweed does not make him heroic!’ she rounded. ‘It makes him interfering – in the extreme! And the truth is, no matter what rare and strange stars aligned to make the viscount and captain brothers, we barely know either of them.’
‘So, what’s the plan, then?’ Sophie asked.
Phoebe rolled over to face her sister.
‘I’m going to go to the theatre,’ she exhaled. ‘I’m going to rid our lives of devious debutantes and dubious viscounts, and then we’re going to make the most ofeveryopportunity remaining to us, before Thomas announces my betrothal to Earl Crusty-Roll!’
‘Nowthat,’Sophie grinned, ‘is a fine plan!’
ChapterFourteen
Seven weeks and one theatrical debut until the wedding
It was two bronchospasms and one very abridged production ofRomeo and Julietlater that Phoebe found herself bowling through Bath in the Carlisle family chaise.
‘We’ll be just a little late, perfect for avoiding any pre-show conversation,’ Lady Aurelia chattered, as though they really were the best of friends, engaged on an enjoyable theatrical excursion.
Phoebe gazed at her pale satin evening gown, affixed with ribbons, lace, and a matching hair piece, together with elbow-length cream gloves. She looked the perfect young debutante, as she returned Phoebe’s frank gaze.
By contrast, Phoebe had left Josephine abed with a bronchial cough that had concerned Dr Cox enough to prescribe cook’s best chicken broth and drops of laudanum, twice a day. The laudanum had soothed her, but Phoebe was concerned to see her sister without interest for a book and suspected the lethargy had more to do with the medicine, than her weakness. This development had also vexed Matilda, who seemed determined to persuade their aunt she could enjoy herself immensely on any excursion, no matter which sister was on her deathbed.
All of which had made tonight’s preparation twice as challenging.
‘How lovely it is to see you looking so well, Miss Fairfax,’ Aurelia chattered on. ‘Or Mrs Mary Smith, as I should call you now!’
She paused to tinkle with laughter as Phoebe arranged her black velvet cloak over the pretty damson silk she’d borrowed from Sophie, persuaded it was far more a widow-like ensemble than anything else she owned.
‘After your very unfortunate incident at the picnic, I admit I was quite concerned about your health, but your aunt assured my mother you have the constitution of an ox! In truth, I must own to having had the headache myself the following morning, but really, it paled next to your plight – a bolting horse and a dramatic rescue from the canal? Whatever next? Of course, we were all most relieved to know your sister was well, and I wouldn’t hear of anyone saying howridiculousyou looked when you emerged, your hair utterly ruined and your dress clinging in that … most unbecoming way.’ She patted Phoebe’s arm. ‘I also made sure to tell everyone that it didn’t matter one jot that you abandoned me, as Viscount Damerel ensured I was quite safe with Captain Elliott and his officers, who are alwaysmostattentive.’ She smiled smugly.
‘I’d be wary of too many close attentions if I were you, Aurelia,’ Phoebe returned drily. ‘They can result inlittle spots of bother.’
The smile was wiped instantly.
‘Oh, how droll you are!’ Aurelia recovered, after a beat. ‘I can see why the viscount finds you so entertaining!’
Phoebe regarded Aurelia impassively while her thoughts whirled. She was quite used to being considered a foolish, hare-brained simpleton as far as the viscount was concerned, a drunk, even.Entertainingwas something entirely new.
‘Anyway, the viscount called on me the following day, which was kind; so gallant and noble to be thinking of me while you were the one careering dangerously through the crowds of people, and creating such chaos! But, of course, the greater show of gallantry has to be his complete abdication of concern for his own safety when he dived into those canal waters, little knowing what they might contain. I’m sure my friends talk of little else.’
‘Well, he knew Matilda and I were in there for a start!’ Phoebe returned scathingly. ‘And he didn’t dive, he jumped – anyone would know it would be asking for the headache, diving into that canal. Finally, I’m certain the viscount would find me rather lessentertaining, if he were to learn the full extent to whichyouentertain yourself!’
She lay her head back against the seat, satisfied to see Aurelia looking more startled than she ever had before. She might not understand the full intricacies of Aurelia’s situation, but she understood enough to know it could be a far more scandalous problem than her own.
‘He’d never believe you!’ Aurelia returned, after a beat.
‘He might once your corsets begin to pop!’
‘It won’t get that far!’ Aurelia retorted.
Yet her tone was far from confident.
