Eunice opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, Elsy stalked up beside Phillip and settled a glare on him.
“You have an eye for ladies’ figures?”
Phillip’s brows drew together. “I’m a dressmaker, Elsy. I’d be less than competent at my job if I didn’t have an eye for figures. Dressmakers are supposed to create dresses that flatter a lady and her curves, which means I need to be acquainted with those curves so I can design my dresses accordingly.”
When Elsy released a sniff and stalked off for the carriage again, Eunice shook her head and leaned closer to him. “Not that I enjoy involving myself in anyone’s personal affairs, but I believe Elsy’s annoyance is directly tied to your attention to other ladies. You might want to think about how to apologize to her for that, and I wouldn’t suggest that apology include anything in it about ladies and their curves.” She gave his arm a pat. “I’ll go arrange for some footmen to help with all those trunks, and you, my dear friend, should go and make amends with Elsy.”
Leaving Phillip mumbling something about having no idea what he was supposed to be amending because it wasn’t as if he ogledanyone’s curves, Eunice climbed the steps and reentered the house, finding Daphne walking toward her down the hall.
“Did something happen at the agency?” Daphne asked when she reached Eunice’s side.
“Nothing concerning, but...” Eunice stopped talking as she considered Daphne. “Do you know you’re a rather unusual color of green, and—”
Before Eunice could complete the sentence, Daphne spun around and dashed toward a powder room that was at the end of the hall. Knowing Daphne would hardly care to have someone hovering outside the door, Eunice made her way to the library, picking up the Jane Austen book she’d been reading the night before and settling into a chair. Five minutes later, Daphne trudged into the room, clutching a wet cloth in her hand, which she immediately dabbed over her forehead once she took a seat.
“Are you all right?” Eunice asked.
“I knew I shouldn’t have had that heavy soup for lunch, but since I feel queasy again even mentioning soup, distract me by telling me why Elsy and Phillip are here.”
“Phillip has decided to take me in hand,” Eunice admitted, setting aside the book. “He seems to believe he’s about to turn into my fairy godfather.”
Daphne’s eyes began to twinkle. “How delightful, and it’s about time.” She looked around. “Where are Phillip and Elsy?”
“They’re still outside because they’re in the midst of a spat.”
“I imagine it’s because he’s been delaying proposing to Elsy, wanting to create a magnificent occasion for her that she’ll never forget. He obviously doesn’t understand that by delaying his proposal and by keeping Elsy in the dark about the reason why, Elsy is now wondering if he’s reconsidering their courtship, which, in turn, has left her feeling put out with him.”
“She told you that?”
“I’m a writer, Eunice. People don’t have to tell me much for me to get a picture of what’s happening in their lives. Given that Elsy has turned grumpy of late, which is out of character because she’sthe most cheerful of all of our inquiry agents, it’s clear she’s begun to question whether Phillip has any intention of marrying her.”
Before Eunice could respond to that, Phillip breezed into the room, Elsy by his side. Given the annoyance still stamped on Elsy’s face, it was apparent Phillip hadn’t made much of an inroad with settling matters between them.
“Daphne,” Phillip exclaimed, heading directly for her and taking hold of her hand. “How charming you look today, although...” He began giving her a thorough perusal. “Upon further consideration, you’re looking somewhat puny. I would say the almost-jaundice tint you’re sporting is due to the color of your day dress, but that green should make you look luminous, given your normal coloring.” He tapped his finger on his chin before he smiled. “Ah, but of course. And lucky for you, even though Elsy and I need to return to the city this afternoon because Ann’s only available to fill in for Elsy’s companion duties today, I’ll still have enough time to alter a few of your dresses. I’m sure you’ll appreciate having a dress or two that allows you a touch more room for your expanding figure.”
“What a thing to say to Daphne,” Elsy said with a roll of her eyes. “And from a man who keeps claiming he’s an expert on the ladies. No lady wants to hear that someone thinks she may be a little plumper than usual.”
“Daphne’s not plump because she’s been indulging in too much cake,” Phillip countered. “She’s expecting and will probably be large as a house before too long.”
“Honestly, Phillip,” Daphne said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You can’t simply spit out information like that with no warning. I’ve been withholding my expectant condition from Eunice as well as everyone else except Herman because I was attempting to draw out the suspense.”
Phillip winced. “Oh, well, then please forgive me, but will it make you feel better if I divulge that Gabriella is also expecting so it doesn’t seem as if I’m singling you out and only disclosing your secret?”
“Not particularly,” Daphne said. “Nor do I believe Gabriella will be thrilled you’ve taken it upon yourself to blurt out that information. I’m sure she probably cautioned you to keep that confidential when she told you about her condition.”
“She didn’t actually tell me she was expecting, but when she stopped in at the shop before she left on her latest case, I noticed her dress had been altered.” Phillip smiled. “And while Gabriella is more than capable of altering a dress to perfection, I made that particular dress for her and knew she’d let out the seams. Since Gabriella could probably eat an entire goat and not gain an ounce, I realized she was in a delicate way.”
At the wordgoat, Daphne immediately dashed for the door.
“I don’t believe expectant ladies enjoy the image that’s created when someone suggests eating a goat,” Eunice said.
“It’s an unappealing image, even for those of us not expecting,” Elsy agreed. “But goats aside, it is lovely that the agency is going to be getting some little additions within the year. I spent some time as a governess before I became a lady’s companion, and I’ve missed being around children.”
“I didn’t know you were a governess,” Phillip said.
Elsy lifted her chin. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
Phillip took hold of her hand. “Indeed there is, but I’m looking forward to learning everything about you over the next fifty years or so.”
