“And you, Miss Voss.”
Thea glanced between the pair. For her part, her cousin’s strain had eased, and she met Phoebe’s gaze without any hint of discomfort or disapproval. Perhaps this could be a new start.
“Phoebe, I feel as though I haven’t seen you in ages,” said Thea. “I spied you here and there, but you are so very busy of late.”
Smile straining, the lady nodded. “Yes, I am. Have you seen Mr. Winwood?”
A grin tickled Thea’s lips. “And why are you asking after the gentleman?”
Phoebe scoffed and leveled a narrow look at her friend. “Do not tease me.”
“As you are so very keen to tease, you must forgive me when I seize an opportunity to respond in kind,” said Thea with a wicked grin. Phoebe gave an indignant huff in return, and Mina stiffened—which made Thea do so as well before flashing her cousin a comforting smile (for the lady hadn’t meant anything by it).
“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Phoebe in a tone that Thea knew was more serious than intended. “Why shouldn’t I keep company with a gentleman who is handsome, intelligent, and witty?”
“Perhaps because you know so little of him?” asked Mina, frowning. “Something about the man feels… amiss, and you ought to be cautious about throwing your heart after him.”
Phoebe stiffened. “I am hardly ‘throwing my heart after him,’ and I would caution against casting aspersions based solely on feelings.”
“She meant nothing by it,” said Thea, glancing between the pair, but Mina was not looking at them, and Phoebe was determinedly scouring the green.
“Of course not. Miss Ashbrook is so very sweet,” said her friend with a bright tone.
“What is the matter, Phoebe? You’ve been so out of sorts lately.” No doubt what ailed Frederick also tainted his sister’s peace of mind, yet Thea sensed an edge of desperation in Phoebe’s expression and tone that was entirely out of character. “Is it Mr. Godwin?”
Phoebe’s gaze darted to her friend. “What have you heard?”
“Nothing. I know he’s been pestering you, and I thought it might be one of the sources of your unease.”
Smoothing her skirts, Phoebe gave a sharp shake of her head. “Yes, of course. But no, he isn’t the source of my unease.” Her voice lowered, and she added to herself, “Not entirely.”
“He seems quite keen…” said Thea, studying her friend’s expression.
“Is he haranguing you?” asked Mina, her brows pulled low, and Thea silently cheered as her cousin’s kind nature seized control, reaching out to a soul in need of comfort. “I know he has been persistent, but if he is truly troublesome—”
Phoebe held up a staying hand to both ladies. “Your concern does you credit, but I assure you he hasn’t caused me an ounce of trouble since… Well, never mind about that. I am certain that a bit more time with Mr. Winwood is certain to do the trick.”
“Since?” prodded Thea, ignoring both the attempted evasion and Mina’s tension at the mention of Mr. Winwood.
But Phoebe’s attention moved past Thea, a smile blossoming on her face. Raising her voice, she added in a teasing tone, “Speak of the devil.”
With a dramatic gape, Mr. Winwood paused in his approach, his brows rising until they were liable to lift clear off his forehead. “The devil?”
“The very one,” said Phoebe, her lips curving as she folded her hands primly before her. “I was only warning my friends of your alarming tendency to appear precisely when your name is mentioned. It is most uncanny.”
“Uncanny?” Mr. Winwood placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “You wound me, Miss Voss. I always consider my appearance to be fortuitous.”
“Oh, I daresay it is,” she replied, eyes glinting. “Though one wonders if you keep yourself hidden behind every hedge in Haverford, waiting for someone to speak of you.”
Leaning closer, he gave her a rascally smile. “My ears are always eager to hear you speak of me, Miss Voss.”
Phoebe’s laugh rang out again; light and quick, it was the sound of a woman entirely aware she was being charmed and allowing it nonetheless. “I do hope you haven’t appeared at my side merely to flirt a little.”
Mr. Winwood placed a hand on his heart. “Never underestimate the value of a good flirtation, madam. But if that is your gentle nudge for me to ask you to dance, then I would be quite honored if you stood up with me.”
Leaning in to take his arm, Phoebe gave him a playful nudge, but before the pair left, Mr. Winwood paused and turned to Mina. “Though I hope you will save me one, Miss Ashbrook. I admired your dancing at the parish feast and am desperate to stand up with someone so skilled and light of foot.”
Mina’s cheeks heated, and she mumbled something Thea couldn’t hear, though the gentleman seemed to take it as an affirmation.
