by Abigail Agar
Phin walked into town, usually twice a week. While walking, he liked to look at the neat, straight rows of tea plants on each side of the path. It gave him a reassuring feeling inside that the world was not all a mad mess. The town, four buildings close together really, served as the place he ordered sugar, flour, and other staples as well as the place to send out the word for new workers. He could have sent someone from the kitchen to do the task, but Phin liked the walk.
His first stop was always the shop that doubled as a post drop. He wrote Everett, Mercy, and Silas often and usually received a letter every week. He missed them. All of them. It had not occurred to him that he was so close to his family and Everett until they were no longer within arm's reach.
Phin found a simple, kind, beautiful native of Assam. Anusha was exactly what he needed. She took care of him. She answered his every need. She was a calm, quiet woman whom he had known for four years without ever hearing her raise her voice.
Granted, the culture and role of women in India were quite different, but Phin was confident he could find what he was looking for. He wanted someone like Anusha. Someone soothing to live with. Someone he could count on to be there when he needed her. Someone who understood he needed peace after the evening meal. He needed time alone each day as much as he needed sleep each night. He got irritable without it. But he knew it so he could manage it. His English wife would help him.
***
Silas leaned back in the carriage and blew out a frustrated breath. “I think you should hold your aspirations in check until you’ve been back on British soil for more than an hour.”
Silas was worried Phin would turn into a hermit. With a quiet wife who didn’t want to socialize with the ton nor venture into London every once in a while, Phin would be happy living with little contact with the outside world. Yes, Phin had always run from conflict of any kind, and yes, he needed downtime every day, but this plan was not good for him. Phin shouldn’t strive for isolation.
“Silas, I’ve had five years to think about what I want. Look at these streets,” Phin said as he swept a hand towards the carriage window. “The city is still dirty and smells of the polluted stream that runs down every street. Why are chamber pots emptied out the front windows?” Phin didn’t wait for an answer. “The coal fumes are so thick; I am not sure where the haze of coal ends and the fog begins. I can’t tell – is it foggy today?” Again, he did not expect an answer.
Phin turned to Silas and leaned back in his seat. In resignation, he said, “How long into the season are we?”
“Not even a month. You haven’t missed much. No one has paired off yet.”
“I know I need to be around for Mercy no matter how long it takes, but I’d like to get this wrapped up soon so I can head to Collinswood. When is the next event?”
Silas was incredulous. His voice came out a little lower than he expected. He detected a growl in his speech. “You’re joking. Relax. You’re not going to Collinswood soon. I know you’d like to leave town, but have you considered Mercy? What will you do if you have trouble finding a wife quickly?”
“I’ll be anywhere Mercy needs me for as long as she needs me.” Phin shrugged. “Why should I have trouble finding a wife? I’m single, a Duke, and I’m wealthy. I don’t drink; I don’t gamble, and I don’t want a mistress. What could possibly take time?”
Silas closed his eyes and shook his head. “Your attitude, maybe? Do you hear how you sound when you speak? You might want to go in there with less . . . oh, I don’t know . . . with less of a high and mighty attitude. Your attitude smells obnoxious.”
Phin quickly changed the subject. “Are you going out tonight?”
“Yes, Phin, I am.”
“To a ball?”
“Yes.”
Phin looked at Silas. “Care to give me a little more information?”
“No, just that I have decided to attend the Harrington ball even though five minutes ago I couldn’t have been dragged there,” Silas grinned. “It might be quite amusing.”
Silas didn’t particularly like to socialize with the ton. It meant he had to go out alone and deal with single young girls. Silas was the second son. He didn’t need to marry and produce an heir. He much preferred keeping a mistress.
But Silas wanted to see Phin in action. He hadn’t been in London in five years. It promised to be entertaining.
***
When Foster opened the front door, he welcomed Phin warmly. Phin was always appreciative of Foster’s manner. He never did like a stuck up butler. The footmen began unloading Phin’s trunks. Foster informed the men that a few ladies were paying Mercy a call.
Phin asked for a bath to be brought to his room. He turned to Silas, “I’ve been in these clothes for four days, which by the way was the last time I bathed. I will be down to greet Mercy shortly.”
Silas turned and nodded. “Shave,” he whispered. He strolled into the front parlour.
As Phin climbed the stairs, he stopped short. The chandelier. It wasn’t the Waterford crystal chandelier. It was an imitation, the same size. A bad imitation.
He turned to talk with Foster but remembered Mercy was waiting for him. That was far more important.
As Phin climbed the stairs, he heard Silas greet the ladies. He shook his head and thought, Silas had a devil may care attitude that I envied. I can’t afford that attitude now that I’m Duke.’
Once bathed and dressed in an afternoon suit of clothes, Phin headed for the parlour. It was a stroke of genius to send measurements and his wardrobe needs to Giancarlo before sailing home. What a relief, opening his wardrobe door and seeing a full line of up-to-date clothing at his disposal.
Phin entered the front parlour fully prepared to assess the ladies to see if any met his requirements. Instead, Mercy let out a loud gasp and covered her mouth with her hand. She popped out of her seat quickly and ran to him.
All others in the room stood, except a much older woman.
Mercy gave Phin a tight hug that lasted until he took her by the forearms and stepped back to look at her. In the five years he had been gone, she had grown into a beautiful young lady. Her strawberry blonde hair and bright blue eyes had always melted his heart. For the first time, it occurred to him he was gone far too long. He was responsible for her future now. He needed to be by her side.
She took his hand, dragged him to each woman, and made introductions. Phin smiled and sized up the young ladies in the group, searching for a potential marriage partner. They were doing the same with him.
Then he saw her. Mercy turned and introduced Phin to Lady Charlotte Abbott. Charlotte had dark hair and dark smoky eyes. Her eyelashes formed a fringe against the backdrop of her porcelain skin. She was tall and willowy with a graceful swan-like neck. Her smile was bright and full. It made her eyes twinkle. And it was infectious. Without consciously doing it, Phin smiled back.
Was it possible he found the right girl only two hours back on British soil? He hoped so. Charlotte was the closest thing to perfect he had ever seen. The first thing people noticed was her hair. It was curly. It fought the confinement of the pins her maid had put there. It gave the impression it might spring out at any second. Some pieces were peeking out already. He wondered what it looked like down. Her height, her skin, her lovely voice. A woman who had a soft voice he could imagine whispering in his ear and sending chills down his spine, was a woman he wanted to get to know.
They made eye contact, and Phin felt a shiver down his spine. It was at once cold and hot. His blood flowed faster through his body as if it had been watered down. He could not tear his gaze away. He knew she felt something too. Her breath had become shallow.
Phin thought he would find it difficult to transition from Indian women to the women in London. He was surprised it was not so. He liked Charlotte immediately upon meeting her. However, he also sensed she was not what he was looking for. There was an unmistakable liveliness in her eyes.
“Phin, sit here, next to me,” Mercy said, patting
the chair beside her. He looked up and turned, at once understanding that there was a gap in time from when Mercy introduced him to Charlotte and when Mercy sat down beckoning him by patting the chair.
He must have looked ridiculous. He gave a small smile and bowed to Charlotte then sat next to his sister. When he looked up at Silas, his brother had his hand over his mouth, no doubt stifling a laugh. Already laughing at his expense. Silas would indeed have fun tonight.
Phin drank tea and looked at Charlotte from the corner of his eye. Phin was encouraged that Charlotte was watching him. If he turned quickly, he caught her looking at him; she looked away, and her cheeks flushed. He wanted to know everything about her. No, he needed to know everything about her. When she spoke, he watched her carefully. But when someone else spoke, he could not look at her directly, but she never left the corner of his eye.
The group talked about ball gowns and ribbons and other nonsense Phin found mind-numbing. It was the kind of conversation Phin loathed, and yet he couldn’t make himself leave. He felt as if he was physically stuck to the chair, unable to move.
Charlotte didn’t hide her mouth behind her fan. When she laughed, she laughed unabashedly. Phin got the impression she laughed often. She also told a few amusing stories, captivating her audience with her humour.
Phin thought Charlotte to be a woman everyone wanted in his or her social circle. She was entertaining, and she had a love of life that was contagious. Just being around her made Phin feel lighter. He forgot his worries when in her presence.
Silas sat on the other side of the room having an animated conversation with Charlotte’s aunt. Genevieve was in her element making afternoon calls. Phin found her charming just listening to her high-pitched cultured voice. It travelled around the room and ricocheted off the walls. Silas was egging her on. He was trying to get her to respond just so he could hear her. Now it was Phin’s turn to stifle a laugh.
During a lull in the conversation, Phin turned to Josie, “Tell me, Lady Josie, will your brother be accompanying you to the ball this evening?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“May I send a note home with you to pass along? I am looking forward to seeing him.”
“And he you, Your Grace. He is very excited at your return. The time between letters was hardly bearable to him.” Josie’s eyes danced. He is looking forward to your reunion.
“Yes, well, let me get to the note then. It will be a delight to see you and your brother this evening.”
Shortly after Phin handed the correspondence to Josie, calling hours were over. Mercy stayed in the front parlour with Phin. God, she looks so grown up, he thought, wishing he could have returned to England earlier.
But he couldn’t. Mercy’s dowry was funded, and she shouldn’t worry about finding a good man.
Phin moved his chair so he was facing his sister. “Tell me, Mercy, about your conquests so far this season.”
Mercy gave him a small smile. “I will Phin, but first, promise me you won’t be too hard on anyone I like. Don’t scare them away.”
“I won’t. I only want to see you happy.” He took in a long breath, “You are a beautiful young woman, Mercy. Many men will have an interest in you because you are beautiful, you are intelligent, you have a brother who is a Duke, and you have a large dowry.”
He took her chin and lifted her face. “You must discern the motives of any man that has interest in you. You must determine if they want you for the kind of person you are or if they want your money and your access to influence.”
Mercy nodded. “I remember from your letters. I keep track of the questions they asked me.” She shrugged. “From their questions and answers, I can tell if they want to know about me or you.”
Phin nodded. He closed his eyes to think. He opened them again. He couldn’t help himself, so he asked, “Lady Charlotte. How well do you know her?”
Mercy smiled. “Why do you want to know?”
Phin gave her a short laugh. “Now that’s the Mercy I remember. Always giving her brother the runaround.”
She smiled then became serious when she was ready to talk. “I met her at the beginning of the season, so I don’t know her well. I do like her, though. She is very funny. Most balls, she has two or three men in her orbit, eating out of her hand. But she’s sweet. I don’t even know if she realizes she’s attracting them. She is just a fun, vivacious girl.
“There is one man who pays her a lot of attention. Lord Jasper Bernard.” Mercy shook her head. “I don’t like him, but I don’t know why. Something’s not right about him.”
Phin sat back and looked at the ceiling. He really didn’t know what to do with that information. His mind was muddled. He needed to sleep before the ball. Mercy probably should rest as well.
He brought his head down to face Mercy again. “Who should I watch tonight, Mercy? How many potential beaus do you have?”
“Roderick Merritt pays me a lot of attention, but I don’t know him well enough yet to have formed an opinion. He says all the right things. It may be me seeing something that isn’t there. We’ll see what kind of feeling you get.
“Otherwise, I’m still trying to meet as many men as possible. Maybe you can introduce me to your friends?”
Phin stood. “I’ll look around. But now, I need to rest from my journey.” He grabbed both of her hands, pulling her out of her chair, and took a step back. He shook his head. “It’s so good to be home with you.”
Mercy headed for the stairs. Phin wanted to rest, but there was something he needed to do first. He asked a footman to find Foster and to cover the front door while Foster and he talked.
Foster entered and shut the door behind him. He bowed, “Your Grace?”
“Yes, Foster. I see many changes have been made to the townhouse in my absence, and I would like some insight on them.” Phin pointed to a wall with nothing but a nail sticking in it. “The Gainsborough.” He pointed to the sideboard. “The matching Ming vases.” He pointed to the door. “The crystal chandelier. No doubt other changes have been made.”
“No doubt, Your Grace. I may speak freely?” When Phin nodded, Foster continued, “The changes, if you will, were made in order to supplement your father’s allowance. There are other changes he made that I can point out to you if you desire.”
“I see. We will do that at another time. I have been on a ship for weeks, and my journey has caused fatigue. I doubt he redecorated on his own. Who helped him with his efforts?”
“I believe Lady Elizabeth Tanding helped. When Lady Ellen passed away,” Foster paused, shifting his weight, “your father’s sister’s dying wish was for him to look after her daughter, Lady Elizabeth. Your father requested Lady Elizabeth’s help in taking items to a pawnshop. I believe she also took a ‘fee’ for helping with his errands. Certain valuable pieces she coveted were bought by her for a pittance. You may want to check on your mother’s jewels, Your Grace.”
Phin was shocked. He should have thought Bennett would try to scrape together money for his gambling habit. But Cousin Elizabeth? He would need to pay her a visit. Phin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Thank you, Foster. Tomorrow, we shall go through the townhouse together.”
Chapter 2
Getting ready for the Harrington’s ball was a long and tedious process. Charlotte spent longer in the bath than was usual. Her mind wandered as it did most days lately to Jasper Bernard and all the attention he paid her. She liked the attention, but she hadn’t made up her mind about him. Not to worry. The season had just begun. Charlotte’s mind jumped to Phineas. A Duke. A wealthy Duke. He could have anyone he wanted.
But what a strange looking creature. Just back from spending years in India, Charlotte thought he must have been ploughing the fields on his own plantation to have the sun colour his skin so. And his hair. Blonder than any blond she had ever met. Your hair didn’t get that light unless you’d been out in the sun for most of the day. Every day.
She noticed how bright his eyes looked against his
brown skin and blond hair. Even his eyes were an exotic colour. She would say they were teal blue, but how could they be? For such a reserved man, his eyes shone like lightning at sunset.
Charlotte pondered why Phineas was worth pondering. He wasn’t her type. He was in great shape, which meant he was athletic. Charlotte wouldn’t even know how to be athletic even if someone gave her lessons in it. But she was an excellent equestrian. So there was that.
She also didn’t gravitate to the quiet types. His brother Silas was much more outgoing, and a lot of fun to be around, and she should be attracted to him. He was almost as handsome as Phineas; he was slightly taller, and his personality was similar to Charlotte’s. Yet, she felt no attraction to him.
