“But I’m sure my mother has, on occasion, discussed such matters with my father,” she hastily amended at the disappointment he had failed to hide. “I’ll ask her to advise me.”
Will managed a tight smile in the face of her apprehensiveness. “Of course.”
Lady Gwen then spent the rest of the waltz complimenting him on everything one could possibly discuss in polite company, while Will did his best to appear flattered, but the look of unease never left her completely. She knew she had erred, but Will wasn’t in the mood to reassure her. Perhaps he did want someone who wasn’t afraid to tell him when he was wrong, not a sycophant. Someone who challenged him to do better. But only one badger of a woman came to mind. And she was certainlynotduchess material.
He bid Lady Gwen a good evening and headed for the exit. The ball was in full swing, but Will couldn’t spend another minute here. He needed to think.
Will slipped out a side entrance into the cool evening air. Though he had arrived in his coach to keep up appearances, he hardly ever bothered to leave a ball in one. It was far faster to simply walk home.
Higgins, his butler, who absolutely did not approve of this little habit, greeted him at the door.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” he said with a bow. “Shall I warm some brandy for you?”
It was his usual ritual after returning from a night out. Something to help relax his nerves before bed.
Will let out a sigh. He had become so utterly predictable. “I suppose.”
He then picked up the pile of post and calling cards that hadarrived while he was gone and began riffling through them while he walked toward his study.
Then he came to a dead stop at an envelope simply markedM. His heart thudded in anticipation as he tore it open.
Margrave,
I owe you an apology, which I would prefer to deliver in person. If you are amenable, meet me outside that disreputable music hall tonight at eleven o’clock.
Yours,
Atkinson
Will’s neck craned to read the face of the massive grandfather clock behind Higgins. It was already ten thirty. He let out a curse and thrust the rest of the mail at Higgins.
“Ready the brougham.”
He needed something discreet and the landau with the ducal crest would not suffice.
Higgins looked appalled. “Your Grace?”
But Will hurried down the hall. “Quickly!”
Phoebe glanced at the pocket watch tucked into her waistcoat and let out an impatient sigh. Just five more minutes. She couldn’t wait for Will any longer than that. It was nearly eleven. Either he wasn’t coming or he was out at a ball somewhere too busy wooing Lady Gwen to bother with her. The thought made the edges of her heartcurl. But she had no one to blame but herself for the way they had parted.
She shoved aside a vision of Will looking stern and devastating with the elegant Lady Gwen in his arms and leaned back against the cool brick wall. Across the street a group of men entered the bustling music hall. The jubilant notes of an accordion floated through the air, along with raucous laughter. Phoebe swallowed hard. She had never been inside such a place before and the thought was as thrilling as it was nerve-racking.
You’ll go in, locate this mysterious Maude woman somehow, and ask her a few questions. Then you’ll leave.
Phoebe reached to check the time again but stopped herself. Enough dawdling. She had to do this for Alice. Just as she pushed away from the wall, a coach pulled up nearby. Phoebe hung back and waited as a man descended. As soon as she caught sight of his broad shoulders, the tightness in her chest loosened with relief.
He came.
Will scanned the area, passing over her at first, but then immediately returned when she gave a little wave.
He squinted as she approached. “Phoebe?”
“Hello there,” she said cheerfully and touched the brim of her cap.
Will openly gaped at her. “What are youwearing?”
Phoebe automatically looked down, though she very well knew the answer. “You’ve seen me in trousers before.”
