Mama grimaced and shook her head. “Mina is wealthy enough that she needn’t stoop to a simple rector.”
“He is a good man,” said Thea with a sigh. “A tad irritating at times, but he has a handsome living—”
“And he will tell you so countless times,” said Phoebe, leveling a narrowed look at her. “Are you defending him?”
“Only reminding you that he is still a good man and doesn’t deserve your teasing.”
“Does that mean you wish to sit with him during the play?” asked Phoebe with a knowing raise of her brows.
“Your brother wouldn’t like it,” said Thea, quickly side-stepping that question before taking a bite of cheese from her plate to forestall further inquiries.
“Perhaps you can find him a sweetheart, Mrs. Keats,” said Phoebe, turning to Mama with a warm smile. “You are such a talented matchmaker.”
“And I might secure you a gentleman or two,” added the lady with a gleam in her eye. And rather than argue against it as she had done so many times before, Phoebe nodded, and Mama hurried away before she changed her mind.
But she paused to bestow another buss on her daughter’s cheek. In a whisper, she said, “Do not stand here. Go to your Mr. Voss. And for heaven’s sake, do not let him slip through your fingers.”
Thea jerked backward and chided, “Mama.”
But the lady swept away without another word.
“I am surprised she hasn’t trapped you and Frederick in a compromising situation to rush matters along,” said Phoebe with a sigh that held all the exasperation one could muster for such a moment.
“If she cared any less about public opinion, she would, but Nanette Keats would never risk a scandal,” said Thea, setting aside her plate on an obliging table. The food was entirely unappetizing now. “As is, she’s already abandoned all chaperone duties in the hopes that people will begin speculating enough that it will force Frederick’s hand, though it is of no consequence as we are all but engaged and anyone with sense knows it.”
But Thea’s gaze gravitated to the gentleman in question and the rose still affixed to his lapel. Not that it signified anything. No doubt he would give it to her soon. Their understanding was stronger than such small customs, and only appropriate timing stood between them and the marriage altar.
And if Phoebe was abandoning her mourning, then even that would soon be behind them. Soon.
Chapter 12
Threading her arm through Thea’s, Phoebe leaned close. “Ignore your mother. Frederick loves you and doesn’t need anyone to force his hand.”
But there was a pause in her tone as though there was something more she wished to say, and when Thea looked at her, the young lady’s complexion had grown ashen.
“What is the matter?” asked Thea.
“Do not fret,” said Phoebe in a deceptively light tone. “The family is in turmoil at present, but that is to be expected with Papa’s passing. I am certain everything will turn out right in the end.”
Pulling her friend to a stop, Thea faced her. “You always laugh when people say that sort of thing. I believe you once called it ‘the useless, empty platitude that people employ when they have nothing better to say.’”
“And right now, I am clinging to that platitude with all my heart,” said Phoebe with a grimace. “But I beg you, please do not press the issue. I cannot tell you anything about it. There is still hope, so please distract me until everything settles back into place.”
A flutter in her stomach had Thea’s breath catching. Surely it wasn’t so ominous as Phoebe’s tone implied. Even without thatpartial confession, Thea had known something was amiss, yet she also knew that if matters were truly dire, Frederick would have spoken with her. He may avoid conflict and discomforting conversations like the plague, but not when it truly mattered.
“Phoebe Voss wishes me to lighten her mood? Matters must be grim, indeed,” she said, adopting a gravity that echoed Frederick’s teasing solemnity.
“I cannot always be the light in the darkness, can I?” said Phoebe in an equally serious tone. “I know it is my responsibility to bring the levity to our conversation, but I do hope that you can assist with that great weight. For once.”
Thea stifled a snort. “It must be a burden to have such a sour-faced friend.”
“Yes, but I bear it up well,” said Phoebe with a put-upon sigh. “God has given me this trial, and I have done my best to live up to it. With all I have done, I am certain to be nominated for sainthood upon my death.”
“We are blessed to have you.”
Nodding magnanimously, the lady added, “I am jealous of you. I have never experienced the joy of having a friend like me.”
Thea’s smile finally fought past her self-restraint as she gave Phoebe the laugh she deserved. “You are ridiculous.”
