Alex sat forward in her chair. “Running out of the house in a wet shirtisdramatic!”
“And romantic,” Freddie said with a dreamy sigh. “Oh, I’m excited for you!”
Phoebe crossed her arms against the flutter in her chest. “Why? Nothing has happened.” She said it as much for herself as her sister.
But Freddie simply held up a finger. “Yet.”
“Perhaps we can all go for a picnic tomorrow,” Alex suggested. “Remember that spot where we used to pick daisies?”
“They don’t need a picnic,” Freddie cut in. “They need to bealone.” She then waggled her eyebrows.
“You truly are a master of subtly,” Phoebe remarked.
“The we can suggest they go for a walk just the two of them,” Alex tried again, but Freddie let out an exasperated sigh.
“That issoobvious!”
Alex lifted her chin. “Well, I wouldn’t suspect anything.”
“Because, again,youaren’t normal.”
“All right, that’s enough,” Phoebe said as Alex’s mouth fell open in offense. “Freddie, none of us are anywhere close to normal. If you manage to think of a not painfully awkward way to get us alone, do let me know. But for now I’m off to bed. And a picnic does sound like a lovely idea, Alex. With or without the Margraves.”
“I’ll send a note first thing tomorrow,” Alex said, resolute.
“Sleep well, sisters,” Phoebe replied as she rose from her chair. “Andtryto be nice to each other once I leave.”
Freddie mumbled an apology while Alex gave a begrudging nod.
But hours later, despite her exhaustion, Phoebe was still wide awake. She had been tossing and turning since the moment shelaid her head on her pillow, as every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Will standing before her on the lane while Freddie’s words echoed in her mind:
Surely that means something good.
With her sisters’ encouragement fresh on her mind, Phoebe forced herself to examine their exchange with new eyes. Though he had every right to coldly dismiss her from his home, he did the exact opposite. He was courteous and apologetic and, most baffling of all, kind.
But that wasn’t fair. Will had always been kind to her, even when he was also being insufferably stuffy. Phoebe smiled in the darkness as she remembered the priggish duke who had barged into Inspector Holland’s office. How much he had changed since then. How muchshehad changed. But her feelings for Will remained stubbornly, achingly consistent.
Freddie was right about one thing: they did need to speak alone. But with her sisters here already creating havoc and their parents following a few days later, her options were quickly shrinking. Tonight could be her last chance to say everything she had been mulling over since he followed her out onto the footpath.
Phoebe sat up and pushed back the covers. If he rejected her, so be it. He had every right to do so. But even still, she had to know. Had to be certain whether all was lost between them or if there was the slightest chance to have her heart’s deepest desire. The tiny flicker of hope her sisters’ words had sparked grew into a guttering flame as Phoebe quickly dressed and stole out of the house. Luckily, the moon was full and lit her way through the woods. But even if it had been pitch dark out, she would have found the way. Phoebe could always find her way to Will.
Will turned onto his back and let out a sigh. It had been a good two hours since he’d retired and the house had long gone silent, but he still couldn’t sleep.
Though he had been relieved to learn that Phoebe and the Clarke girls were entirely safe from Lord Fairbanks, a small, selfish part of him was disappointed. For it meant he was absolutely useless to her now.
He had just resolved to get a book when there was a rustling outside. Will sat up and waited, just in case he was hearing things, but after a moment, the sound came again. Something wasdefinitelyoutside—and getting closer. Will frowned as he threw back the covers and stepped lightly across the room. It had to be some kind of bird or animal. What else would it be at one in the morning? He paused for a moment, then pushed open the window, hoping the sound would scare off whatever was out there. But instead the something fellinside. Not something, he immediately realized, butsomeone.
Will swore as the intruder toppled directly against him. They both hit the floor hard, with Will taking the brunt of the landing. He let out a groan while a pair of small hands pressed onto his chest.
“Good lord,” the intruder hissed. “You aren’t wearing a shirt.”
He blinked at the dark mass as a familiar scent cut through his confusion. “Phoebe?”
She threw off the hood of the cloak she was wearing and looked down at him. Her eyes sparkled in the low light. “Or trousers.”
Will immediately pushed her off him and launched to his feet. Then he wrapped the heavy velvet curtain across his torso, as it was the only available piece of fabric within reach. “Well, I was abed. And wasn’t exactlyexpectinganyone,” he huffed.
“I’m not criticizing you,” Phoebe said as she stood. “I’m just surprised.”
