It was an old joke among them all that Matilda and Phoebe were spirit twins, and that neither could criticise the other, even when their behaviour was clearly wanting.
Phoebe’s eyes danced as she took her sister’s arm. ‘It’s a pity they aren’t here tonight,’ she sighed, gently steering her sister out of the library and towards the dining room. ‘I do so miss them both, but considering Sophie is heavy with child, Matilda is distracted by the May Fayre and I didn’t even know you were coming, I shall just count my blessings instead. I also have a small surprise for you too, dearest, a special dinner guest!’
Josephine glanced up sharply, briefly considering the likelihood of Lord Huntingly following her back to Ebcott, to shame her in front of her sister and brother-in-law. A wave of fresh fear threatened, just as a footman opened the dining room door to reveal a jovial gentleman, smiling back instead.
‘Captain Damerel!’ she exclaimed in relief, abandoning Phoebe to greet the viscount’s good-natured brother who’d stolen all their hearts in Bath six years before. ‘And Dr Kapoor too,’ she beamed, proffering her hand to them both in turn. ‘It’s been too long!’
‘Miss Josephine, you are looking quite flushed and radiant,’ her childhood physician observed in his studious manner.
‘Of course she does, she’s come directly from Knightswood!’ Phoebe smiled.
‘I would I received such a joyous reception,’ the viscount observed, greeting his wife as though they hadn’t attended the village fete together that same afternoon.
Phoebe chuckled and returned his embrace with a warmth to which they’d all grown accustomed. Yet there was a flicker of concern in his eyes as they rested on her, before he leaned close to murmur something that made her blush.
‘And how is life treating you, Miss Josephine?’ Captain Damerel enquired as they took their seats. ‘Or should I ask how you have been treating life? For I am sure you have been taking the town by storm!’
His chestnut eyes danced as their first and second courses arrived together, including a tureen of white soup, turbot with a lobster sauce, and a dish of oyster patties served with a sparkling champagne.
‘Josephine has decided the chaos of the London season cannot compete with the peace of her books,’ Phoebe interjected, coming to her rescue, ‘and I for one do not blame her. When I consider how stifled I felt in Bath, it’s a wonder I ever found a husband at all!’
There was a ripple of smiles and chuckles around the table.
‘What?’ Phoebe defended. ‘If you are all thinking of the handful of misadventures that befell me…’
‘Handful?’ Her husband remonstrated affectionately. ‘You had more adventures that season than anyone I’ve ever met in my life! And Istilldon’t think your poor aunt has recovered from the sight of my ruined evening suit after your canal swim.’
‘I wasn’t swimming!’ Phoebe retorted. ‘And it wasn’t thesuitthat made a lasting impression!’ She side-eyed Josephine, who snorted into her patties. ‘Though it is true I’ve had finer moments,’ she added with a sigh, ‘and all while Josephine behaved like her usual angelic self, of course.’
At this, Josephine nearly choked on her wine, while all parties around the table eyed her with concern. ‘You were the one who rescued Matilda,’ she pointed out when she could, smiling reassuringly at Dr Kapoor. ‘I’m sure she wishes you could do the same now, too.’
‘Rescue her? From Knightswood or her impending season?’ Phoebe enquired. ‘Don’t tell me Thomas is talking matches already?’ she added, her brows drawing together sharply.
Josephine hesitated, torn between wanting to tell her sister the truth, and conscious she hadn’t yet broken the news of her morning’s work to Thomas. ‘Nothing official,’ she reassured, ‘though there has been mention of a few possibilities– including a Lord Huntingly, who has recently returned from the continent?—’
‘Lord Huntingly?’ Viscount Damerel interrupted. ‘Lord Alistair Huntingly who owns Huntingly Manor but five miles away from us, across the border in Somerset?’
The table suddenly went very quiet, making her wonder if she should have said anything at all.
‘Yes, I believe so,’ she replied, feeling her cheeks grow warm. ‘Fred and Sir Francis knew him at Oxford, and Thomas mentioned he recently returned to his country seat in Somerset.’
The viscount glanced at his brother. ‘You know about this, Elliot?’
Josephine frowned. She’d expected the viscount to have a view, but the captain had only recently returned from duty himself. ‘Do you know Lord Huntingly?’ she asked, aware he suddenly looked much more sombre.
The oddest prickle crept down her spine, as the captain glanced at his brother before turning back to her. ‘I do indeed,’ he replied, though it was clear he was picking his words with care. ‘I had the pleasure of serving with him for a time, though he kept himself to himself, and we both sold out before the regiment was sent to the Gold Coast. Last I heard, he was in Italy, and then well… there was that business with Pellham… and now it seems he’s back in Somerset,’ he concluded with a swift frown. ‘I didn’t know he was considering taking a wife, though.’
Josephine glanced from the captain to the viscount to Phoebe, before conversation was paused by two footmen who removed some of the dishes and replaced them with a glazed ham and fowl à la Montmorenci,garnished with aragoût à l’allemande.
‘Why does the name Pellham sound familiar?’ Phoebe asked her husband as she accepted a slice of the ham. ‘Should we be concerned Thomas is considering Lord Huntingly?’
Josephine tried not to look avidly interested as her oyster plate was cleared.
‘You might remember the name from a somewhat infamous duel,’ the viscount replied drily.
‘Yes, that’s it!’ Phoebe nodded. ‘Wasn’t there a scandal? I thought they both disappeared?’
‘They did,’ Captain Damerel interjected. ‘Which is hardly surprising, given the rumours.’
