Page 67

“Oh, the tour was lovely,” Augusta walked in, and took in the look on her friends’ face. “Are you alright?”

“Why do you ask?” Phillipa said, immediately defensive. “I am perfectly fine. You were not gone long enough for anything important to have taken place.”

The last thing she wanted was to be discovered.

“I didn’t say that,” she replied. “Why are you being so defensive?”

“It’s nothing,” Phillipa shook her head. “Listen, I think we should be heading back. I’ve just remembered that there are some tasks I have to tend to at home. Is that fine?”

“Sure….” Augusta replied.

They took the same carriage on the way back, and Augusta’s curiosity about her friends’ strange behaviour only seemed to grow.

“Did something happen at the orphanage?” she asked. “I had left you completely normal, and now you’re behaving strangely.”

“It’s just that I have a lot on my mind,” she replied, looking out the window. “You know, I have a charity ball to plan.”

“The one you had post-poned?”

“Yes, it’s happening now,” she nodded. “And I don’t have much time.”

Augusta seemed convinced with the explanation for the time being.

“Yes, well, that is very well. I understand why you’re acting strangely now.”

“Yes.”

But the guilt was eating away at her.

“And you know…” Phillipa went on. “I don’t think that is a bad idea by any means to not listen to advice sometimes, even when it is well meaning.”

“In regards to arrangements about the ball?” Augusta asked, looking confused again.

“Yes, the ball,” Phillipa affirmed. She didn’t want to give too much away but it was clear that it was gnawing at her.

“Was it advice that came from me?” she shot her a look.

Phillipa declined to answer that entirely.

In time, every one will come to see that it was the right decision in inviting him to the charity ball.

In time when all is fixed, they would even appreciate her for it. She was convinced of it.

All she needed was more time.

CHAPTER 23

“Ihave been wondering where you are,” Gregory found his wife in the small parlor.

“Oh, sorry. I did not hear you come in.”

“Evidently.” He came further into the room, studying her. “How have you been doing?”

It was not a question he typically asked from her, so it took her by surprise.

Phillipa’s stomach dropped. Did he already know something?

“I’m doing just fine,” she said quickly. “Why… why do you ask?”