Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1)
Page 22
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As we stepped into the Harvey’s mansion, my eyes searched the crowd until I found a pair of green eyes that caused the flutters in my stomach to take flight, tumbling into each other. I never had that with Ben—that pulse-speeding, blood-surging, butterfly-tumbling, momentary insanity just from the sight of Andrew. It frightened me, because for a moment, I was not master of myself; my emotions took over, and I was helpless. I hated those feelings, but I loved them. I could feel. In those moments, I knew I was not broken, and Andrew gave that gift to me.
Andrew was standing beside Edith, who was looking harassed and flushed. It was then that I remembered what she had told me that Mr. Madison was bringing a young man to meet her. Andrew was that young man. The thought soured my insides. I would never hurt Edith. But, the relieved look she cast me when we joined them spoke volumes. Edith had no feelings for Andrew.
Jack and Andrew were speaking amiably when I overhead Andrew invite us both to go with him to Mr. Peale’s museum. “I have been promised a guided tour of the great incognito.”
From the widening of his eyes, Jack’s interest was piqued. “By Peale himself?”
“Of course.” Andrew looked rather proud when he added, “Being the nephew of the President does come with its advantages, you know.”
Jack laughed; his excitement marked. “We should be very happy to accompany you.”
When Andrew escorted Edith into the first dance, I placed a hand on my hip, angling myself toward Jack. “What makes you think I want to view rooms full of bones and stuffed dead things?”
Jack smirked. “Give over, Bess. You know that you like him, and what is more, he knows it too. For as he said, being the nephew of the President does come with its advantages.” He looked at me with a light in his eyes and added, “You know.”
Huffing in annoyance, I left Jack to his mirth.
As Andrew squired me through the second dance, he spoke with a smile upon his lips that I was coming to adore. “I met your father once. He spoke of you with such fondness that I always craved an introduction, and now I am thankful to have been granted the desire of my heart.”
“The desire of your heart, sir? Surely you must have more than one.”
His dimples appeared as he leaned toward me, his green eyes full of emotions I was not prepared to analyze. “I have, but none, I am finding, hold a candle to meeting you.” I did not know what to say to that. For once, my lowered eyes had nothing to do with pretense.
When we again joined Jack, he was standing with Guinevere, Hannah, and Dudley.
“Whatever were the two of you speaking of? I declare I have never seen two people so engrossed in their conversation,” Hannah asked with a titter.
I opened my mouth to say something sweetly cutting when Andrew replied. “We were speaking of our heart’s greatest desires.”
“Odd dancing conversation,” Dudley interposed.
I opened my fan and waved it before my heated face, as Jack stared at me with an amused lift to his black brows. Guinevere said nothing. Hannah was not so tactful.
“I should like to hear your greatest heart’s desires, Mr. Madison, and perhaps together we could see to the acquisition.” Hannah was playing the coquette, and when she sent a smirk my way, I took a step toward her, forgetting my surroundings, my meaning clearly written in the depths of my furious eyes.
Jack was the first to react, though I was sure everyone could guess my intent. Perhaps not my true intent. Most women did not consider murder in a ballroom an acceptable practice.
Jack stepped between me and Hannah, but it was Dudley who spoke somewhat abstractedly from where he stood next to Hannah. “Cake, a rich soufflé, and a man who can make proper boots.”
Everyone looked at Dudley in astonishment. He glanced around our group then shrugged. “My desires.” When no one seemed to be comprehending he added, “I thought we were speaking about our greatest heart’s desires.”
Guinevere choked on a laugh and covered her mouth with her fan. Hannah cast Dudley a scornful glance. Andrew stared at Dudley as if he were mad. Jack laughed, loud and without restraint. The dangerous moment had passed, but that did not stop Andrew from asking Hannah to dance with him. She agreed readily, tossing a dangerously coy look over her shoulder.
Jack offered his arm to Guinevere. She took his arm, and they went off together laughing.
I was left alone with Dudley, and after a moment, I looked down at him in incredulity. “Is that truly what you desire? Cake, a soufflé, and a man—”
“—Who can make proper boots, yes,” Dudley cut in, nodding with enthusiasm.
There were no words to express my thoughts. I excused myself to Dudley and went into the foyer.
In the dining parlor, I saw Richard and Mr. Knowlton shaking hands. The way Richard was gripping his hand I knew he was signaling another meeting. When they broke apart and passed me to go into the drawing room, I watched my brother. Jack had completely missed the handshake. His eyes were on Guinevere, and he was engrossed in whatever she was saying. I walked to the buffet and picked up a glass of champagne, keeping my back to them as I listened.
“Why are you called Saint John?”
Jack’s voice was soft, almost hesitant. “It is not something that can be told. I would have to show you.”
“Very well, show me,” she replied.
“Not here. Sunday, if you will allow me, I will share my secret with you.”
I knew Jack’s ‘secret,’ and if he was willing to share it with Guinevere, that meant his feelings ran deeper than I imagined. If things kept progressing at such an alarming rate, I knew that it would not be long before I had to have a talk with my brother, which, possibly, could end in a bout of fisticuffs. It would not be the first time.
Chapter 15