“I’m not happy, George.”
At least, Andrew was calling him George.
“I’m sure you’re not.”
“How would you feel if it were Alice, eh? If Alice came to you and told you she had to get married because she was with child?”
Honestly, George would feel relieved. Given her love for transgression, Alice might not get married if she found out she was carrying a baby. But he understood what Andrew meant.
“It’s not an ideal situation, I know.”
“You were part of our family. A man we trusted and liked. ”
“Your mother didn’t like me.”
“No, she never did, did she? She must have always known something the rest of us didn’t. Tell me, did you do this on purpose?”
“No. Of course not.”
“I know you were very eager to form an attachment to Phoebe earlier this summer when she was still engaged to Thornwick.”
“Yes. I was. I still am. I love your sister, Andrew.”
Andrew looked toward him for the first time since George had come into his study, formerly his father’s study.
“The problem, George, is—”
“I know. She doesn’t love me.”
“I guess that’s a moot point given the circumstances.”
“No, it’s not. Not for me. Don’t misunderstand me, I intend to marry your sister no matter what. But it matters to me a great deal that—”
George was glad Andrew couldn’t see his tears. Blast, if only he could control his voice.
“I’ll take good care of Phoebe, Andrew. You can be assured of that.”
“I know.”
Those two words gave George the first solace he had had in the last day. And gave him the strength to make his request.
“May I see Phoebe?”
“Yes. She’s waiting for you in the drawing room.”
George bowed and left the study and went and knocked on the drawing room door. He heard a muffled “Come in.”
Phoebe was standing and curtsied to him. He bowed.
“I’ve seen your brother.”
“Close the door, George.”
“Yes.” He closed the door and came closer to her. He thought she might be a little less pale than she had been yesterday. But the Phoebe he had known for twenty-two years was still absent. “Are you well?”
“Not really. Are you?”
“No. I mean, yes.” He took both her hands. “You’ve changed.”
