Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1)

by Amalie Vantana

  ***

  While Jack and I rode to Miss Clark’s house the following morning, he questioned me about the attack. I had a suspicion about what was afoot, so when I reached the black carriage, I asked the driver if he were Mr. Monroe’s driver and when he answered in the affirmative I told him that Mr. Monroe was detained.

  It was an unfortunate misstep that made me think I had everything well in hand. I was about to move away from the carriage when Jack yelled for me. There was a man inside the carriage I had not seen, and it was he who had grabbed me. I supposed to him one captive was as good as the next. I was indebted to Mr. Andrew Madison. He had come to my aid and attacked those dangerous men without an outward qualm. I was impressed and could hardly wait until he came for dinner. Only thirteen more hours to go.

  Jack and I met Miss Clark outside her house punctually at seven. When he had told me about his assignation, I had offered for Edith and me to go along. He looked as if he would deny, but I promised that I would follow if he did not allow me to go. I had also learned that she was not betrothed as Richard had said.

  Jack was smiling like a besotted fool when Miss Clark greeted him. Her eyes were only on Jack having not noticed my presence, and the look that passed between them spoke more than any words ever could. They were smitten. Discomfort arose inside me. It was not unnatural that Jack found a young woman in whom he showed interest; the Lord knew he deserved only the best, but therein lied the problem. We knew next to nothing about Miss Clark. She was lovely, granted, and I found her both witty and intelligent, but I did not know if she was good enough for Jack. Jack was my little brother; I relied on him, and he relied on me. If some other female became first in his affections, he would cease to need me. Jack was the only person who needed me, and the truth of it hurt.

  Miss Clark looked to me, and I smiled. I had to give her credit for not showing her disappointment on her face in seeing me; it was only in her eyes. From first impressions, she was the sort of girl that I would have chosen for Jack, had I been a matchmaking female, but I was not.

  When I greeted her kindly, she replied by saying, “Please call me Guinevere.”

  “What a beautiful name, and you must call me Bess.” I glanced at Jack and found his eyes intent upon Guinevere. She did have a poetic name. “I do believe you have rendered my brother speechless. A near impossible feat I do assure you.”

  I did not know how she did it, but even her laugh was unique. Like a song flowing from a harp. She insisted that Jack also call her Guinevere before gathering up the reins. “Shall we set off?”

  I looked around, asking, “But what of your groom?” Even though we did not have a groom with us, I was with my brother and I never rode alone in the city without either Jack or Jericho.

  Guinevere explained that she found the groom that Richard assigned to her to be a nuisance, so she did without his presence. I would have done the same had I not my secret to protect.

  The ride to Edith’s was silent as we had to maneuver through traffic. When the Harvey’s mansion came into sight Edith was mounted and waiting for us.

  Guinevere said nothing, but I could see that she was not best pleased to see Edith. We stopped before the general’s house, and Edith greeted us cheerfully. Her forest green riding habit was lovely, accentuating her ivory skin and the deep chocolate color of her eyes. Her cheeks were rosy from the chilly morning air, and her spirit was high.

  Edith and I rode together ahead of Guinevere and Jack, but once we were outside of the city, we were able to ride four abreast.

  “I must say, Bess, that I am thankful that you are here with us. I was never more shocked in my life than to hear of those horrid men attacking you,” Guinevere said. “What possessed them to try to attack a woman of our class?”

  Edith paled. I would not have chosen to speak of such happenings before her, but Guinevere was curious. I assured Guinevere I did not know. It was not me that they were after, but I would never breathe that to a soul outside of the Phantoms, so I turned the topic to something less alarming.

  “Tell us, Guinevere, from where do you hail?”

  “Boston originally, but when my family died, and I was left in the care of my guardian, I moved to Baltimore and then here.”

  She had my deepest compassion, for I knew what it was like to lose a parent.

  My father had not been an easy man to understand. Hardly anything I ever did met with his approval. When Jack and I went to work in Baltimore, and our father remained in Philadelphia, I was relieved, even if there was a war going on. Jack and I grew closer, and for the first time in my life, I felt like someone appreciated my efforts. We were no longer walking in my father’s shadow but making shadows of our own. I pulled my thoughts away from my father when Guinevere said words that surprised and amused me.

  “Shall we have that race, Bess? Across the field to those trees?”

  “Ladies do not participate in horse races.” Disapproval laced Edith’s words.

  “You need not participate. You may stay here and watch, but I shall race. On my count.” Guinevere counted to three, then her chestnut took off across the field, and after only a second, Edith urged her horse to follow.

  Jack looked at me, warning in his voice. “Bess, do not win that race.”

  My grin was surely incorrigible as I pressed into my dapple grey. He did not have the speed of Pegasus, but he was strong. The cold wind whipped against my face and tugged at my hat, but it was secured by many pins. With each rise and fall of the horse, I felt freedom––from restraint, from the weights pressing against my shoulders. It was glorious.

  We reached mid field, when a flash of blue from off to my right caught my eye. As I glanced over, another rider charged across the field from the trees. I did not take the time to look at the rider’s face as I pushed into my horse, determined not to lose to three racers. I passed Edith easily enough, but was behind as Guinevere noticed the rider and urged her horse faster. Guinevere’s chestnut and the other rider’s white horse charged along at a breakneck pace. I knew I would not win the race, so I pulled my horse to a trot and watched, a twinge of envy settling in my chest.

  My cover depended upon my acting the lady at all times when not at work but how I would have loved to best them. I found myself mentally cheering for Guinevere.

  The two riders were side by side until at the last moment when the new rider eased up, and Guinevere’s horse reached the trees first. I wondered if Guinevere knew it. I rode to the trees and pulled up my horse ready to congratulate Guinevere, but all words stuck in my throat as I recognized the new rider. Hannah Lamont.

  “Elizabeth, I am surprised to see you participating in such sport, no matter how inexperienced your performance.”

  Pasting on a smile, I spoke with a sweetness belying my true feelings, “It would have been fruitless to try harder. Guinevere clearly holds the advantage.”

  Hannah’s eyes narrowed. If looks could kill, I would be laid dead upon the ground. I would have come back to haunt her so it was better for her that her venomous looks could only amuse. Hannah turned her attention to Jack as he rode up, but Jack was staring at Guinevere’s flushed face with appreciation and awe. His whole face was softened and unguarded for a moment, but it was long enough for warnings to ring in my head. I had never seen Jack look so...besotted.

  Hannah moved her mount next to Jack, blocking his view of Guinevere. She smiled and batted her eyes at him as she tried to engage him in a flirtation.

  “What nerve,” huffed Edith, low enough that Hannah could not hear.

  I thought about reassuring Guinevere, but decided against it. To offer the woman any help would give the impression that I approved of Guinevere’s obvious feelings for Jack, which was something I was not ready to do. It would take a special woman to win my approval, and even though she was like the woman I would have chosen for him, I did not think her Jack’s equal.

  Guinevere stared at Jack a moment longer before pulling her eyes away. She shrugged a shoulder,
and my estimation of her rose. “We must see what we can do to put her in her place, mustn’t we.”

  I laughed, thinking to myself that the odious Hannah Lamont may have met her match.

  Hannah joined us as we rode back to town, staying at Jack’s side and flirting shamelessly. Even when Jack started speaking about Reverend Gideon Reid’s church and sermons Hannah would not move from his side.

  We delivered Edith home first, then rode on to Guinevere’s house. When we reached it, Hannah looked at Guinevere. “Oh, have we arrived so soon? And here I have monopolized all dear Mr. Martin’s time.”

  Jack dismounted and helped Guinevere from her saddle. She looked up at Hannah. “No matter. I am sure we will have ample time to speak over dinner this evening. Good day, Mrs. Lamont. Until this evening, Mr. and Miss Martin.” Guinevere’s groom took her horse away as Jack remounted, and we rode with Hannah to her house. She tried to wheedle an invitation to dinner, but Jack and I both refused to comply. When we reached her house, we bid her good day and rode away without a second glance.

  “Did you know Guinevere was coming to dinner?” I asked Jack as we rode toward home.

  “No, but I am not surprised. Mother told me she had invited the Harvey's, so you may be sure she wanted an even number at her table.”

  When we arrived home, it was as Jack had said. Since Richard was dining with friends, mama had invited Guinevere.

  “She will be in my charge when Richard and I marry, so it is only right that we all become better acquainted.”

  From the smile hovering on Jack’s lips he agreed wholeheartedly.