Phoebe whirled from the window and began to pace.
“You must calm down,” suggested Ella, keeping her words slow. “You’ll make yourself ill, and the last thing you want is to appear as a dithery, nervous thing when he arrives.”
“You’re right. I know you are.” Phoebe fidgeted with the ruffled sleeve of her mauve sarcenet gown and returned to the window. “Do I look all right?”
Ella assessed her eager friend’s flushed face and tense jaw. “You look lovely, but you look the most beautiful when you smile, yes?”
Phoebe blew out the air she’d been holding and turned her attention out the window. They waited as the carriage in question pulled around the drive. She did not brighten until Mr. Bauer’s unmistakable silhouette became clear. “It’s him. I might faint.”
“You’re not going to faint.” But even as Ella said the words, she could not tear her eyes away from the broad-shouldered, stockyman in a black coat, black beaver hat, and jet hair who emerged from the carriage. He looked just as she remembered from the assembly room, except perhaps a bit older due to the harsh daytime light.
A second man, whom Ella recognized as his assistant from the demonstration, exited after him. The men shook hands with both of their fathers, who had been waiting at the entrance to greet guests as they arrived.
The pretty flush that had colored Phoebe’s high cheeks just moments ago drained to a sickly pale. “I’ve not seen him since we spoke to him at Clancy’s. What if his opinion of me has changed?”
Ella decided it best to keep her thoughts about Mr. Bauer’s interest in Phoebe’s dowry to herself and, instead, attempted to focus on something more positive. “If he cares for you as you have described, then nothing will change him. You’ll see.”
The men ambled toward the house, and within moments the boisterous roar of animated male voices reverberated from the great hall’s paneled walls and stone floors just across the corridor from the White Parlor.
“Let’s go greet him!” cried Phoebe, starting for the door. “I—”
“No, no. Restraint is needed,” cautioned Ella. “Consider, he’s just arrived and there are others in the great hall—the Nortons, the Parkers, maybe more. Do you want your reunion to be when he has just gotten out of a carriage and surrounded by people? Stay here. He’ll come to you.”
“You’re right, of course,” Phoebe lamented as she toyed anxiously with a ruby pendant on a gold chain that had previously been tucked into her fichu.
“That’s pretty.” Ella angled to see the bauble more clearly as she attempted to distract her friend. “I’ve not noticed it before.”
Phoebe expression sobered, and she quickly tucked it back in her fichu. “It was a gift.”
It was unlike Phoebe not to want to discuss anything related to fashion. “From whom?”
Phoebe bit her lower lip and turned toward the window. “If I tell you, you will think it wrong that I accepted it.”
Dread trickled through her. It was inappropriate for a man to give a woman a gift unless the relationship was serious. “Mr. Bauer?”
Phoebe’s voice was low. “He gave it to me about a month ago. Father has not seen it yet, and I don’t think anyone else would notice, but I want Thomas to see me wearing it.”
Ella stiffened.Referring to him by his Christian name and accepting gifts?
“You won’t say anything, will you?” pleaded Phoebe, her light brown eyes wide.
Ella dropped her shoulders and sighed. “I won’t, but I do wish you to be careful.”
“I assure you, I am careful, Ella. I wish you could experience this feeling. It seems that after so many years of just drifting, waiting, and hoping, I might find the person I am meant to be with.”
Ella understood that feeling of drifting—of merely existing while the rest of the world sped ahead. “Does anyone else besides me know of the attachment?”
“Miss Sutton knows, of course. She has been present so often during our encounters and figured it out. She is so observant.”
Ella forced a smile. It would not do to make her friend uneasy when so many unanswered questions lingered. “I like seeing you this way. Happiness suits you.”
Phoebe sniffed and shrugged. “I don’t feel like I deserve such happiness.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I have so little of significance to offer in comparison. He’s such an impressive individual. Why would he choose me when any lady would be glad for his attention?”
Phoebe’s low opinion of herself concerned Ella.“Youare remarkable, dear Phoebe. Truly. I wish you could see it as clearly as I do.”
