“It’s just that I suddenly felt so lonely, and soold.” She looked up at him, wondering if he could possibly understand. “I never thought I would be left behind.”
He chuckled. “Eloise Bridgerton, I don’t think anyone wouldevermake the mistake of leaving you behind.”
She felt her lips curve into a wobbly smile, marveling that her brother of all people could actually say theexactright thing. “I suppose I never really thought I’d always be a spinster,” she said. “Or, if I was, then at least that Penelope would always be one, too. It wasn’t very kind of me, and I don’t even think I really thought about it much, but—”
“But that’s just how it was,” he said, doing her the kindness of finishing the sentiment. “I don’t think even Penelope ever thought she’d marry. And to be honest, I doubt Colin did, either. Love can rather creep up on a person, you know.”
She nodded, wondering if it could creep up on her. Probably not. She was the sort of person who would need it whacked over the head.
“I’m glad they’re married,” Eloise said.
“I know you are. I am, too.”
“Sir Phillip,” she said, motioning toward the door, even though he was actually down the hall and around two corners in the dining room. “We had been corresponding for over a year. And then he mentioned marriage. And he did it in such a sensible manner. He didn’t propose, he just inquired if I might like to visit, to see if we would suit. I told myself he was mad, that I couldn’t even consider such an offer. Who would marry someone she didn’t know?” She let out a shaky little laugh. “And then Colin and Penelope announced their engagement. It was as if my entire world flipped sideways. And that was when I started thinking about it. Every time I looked at my desk, at the drawer where I kept his letters, it was as if they were burning a hole right through the wood.”
Anthony said nothing, just squeezed her hand, as if he understood.
“I had to do something,” she said. “I couldn’t just sit and wait for life to happen to me any longer.”
A chuckle burst from her brother’s throat. “Eloise,” he said, “that is the last thing I would ever worry about on your behalf.”
“Anth—”
“No, let me finish,” he said. “You’re one of the special ones, Eloise. Life neverhappensto you. Trust me on this. I’ve watched you grow up, had to be your father at times when I wanted only to be your brother.”
Her lips parted as something squeezed around her heart. He was right. Hehadbeen a father to her. It was a role neither of them had wanted for him, but he had done it for years, without complaint.
And this time she squeezed his hand, not because she loved him, but because it was only now that she realized how very much she did.
“Youhappen to life, Eloise,” Anthony said. “You’ve always made your own decisions, always been in control. It might not always feel that way, but it’s true.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head as she said, “Well, I was trying to make my own decisions when I came here. It seemed a good plan.”
“And maybe,” Anthony said quietly, “you’ll find that it was indeed a good plan. Sir Phillip seems an honorable sort.”
Eloise couldn’t hide her peevish expression. “You were able to deduce this while you had your hands wrapped around his throat?”
He shot her a superior look. “You’d be surprised what men can deduce about one another while fighting.”
“You call that fighting? It was four against one!”
He shrugged. “I never said it wasfairfighting.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“An interesting adjective consideringyourrecent activities.”
Eloise felt herself flush.
“Very well,” Anthony said, his brisk tone signaling a change of topic. “Here is what we are going to do.”
And Eloise knew that whatever he said, it was what she’d be doing. His voice was that resolute.
“You will pack your bags immediately,” Anthony said, “and we will all travel to My Cottage and remain there for a week.”
Eloise nodded. My Cottage was the rather odd name of Benedict’s home, situated not too far from Romney Hall in Wiltshire. He lived there with his wife Sophie and their three sons. It wasn’t a particularly large home, but it was comfortable, and there was certainly enough room for a few extra Bridgertons.
“Your Sir Phillip may come visit each day,” Anthony continued, and Eloise understood his words perfectly to mean,Your Sir Phillipwillcome visit each day.
