by Ella Quinn
“Several days. Enough time to send a letter off by special messenger to Elizabeth Harrington, and receive her answer. She is delighted at the prospect of seeing you.”
How had Augusta been so lucky to have her brother marry such a wonderful woman? “Does Matt know?”
Her sister-in-law made a face. “Only as much as he wanted to know. He will not lie to your mother. At this point, he is only aware that you have been invited to go to Paris. I imagine after she finds out you have turned Lord Phineas down, Patience will be happy to see you leave Town for a while.” Grace released Augusta from her embrace. “I’ll tell Matt everything once you depart Paris.”
It was settled then. Augusta was going to Europe, and Jane and Hector would escort her to Padua. Augusta would stay with the family who had agreed to sponsor her. She had to write to Cousin Prudence and notify the baron.
The tension drained from her body. Soon she would attend university, and even her mother could not object. Well, Mama could, but from England.
A knock sounded on the door to Grace’s study. “Come.”
Thorton entered and bowed. “My lady, Lady Wolverton wishes to speak with Lady Augusta.”
“I cannot believe she left her guests to come here.” This was not at all good.
“Please send her in and bring more tea.” Grace signaled to Augusta to sit beside her. “Remember to remain calm.”
“I shall.” She hastily picked up her cup and moved it to the other side of the table.
A moment later, Mama swept into the room, her muslin skirts swirling around her legs. One brow was raised and her lips flattened. Augusta had never seen her mother so angry.
“Augusta Catherine Anne Vivers, I cannot believe you lied to poor Lord Phineas. I have told you before you shall not attend university in Italy or anywhere else.”
At least her mother was not angry about her refusing his suit. She slid a quick glance at Grace, and decided to keep her mouth shut.
“Patience.” Grace motioned to the other sofa. “Please have some tea.”
“Yes, of course.” Mama blinked as if just realizing there was someone else present. “I apologize for my temper. It has been a trying day.” Perfectly composed, Mama sank onto the flowered chintz cushions. “Now, I believe we should discuss Augusta’s falsehood. I know you must agree with me that she should not have said what she did.”
A fresh tea tray arrived, and Grace poured them each a cup. “How did the subject come up?”
“Lady Dorchester was expecting Lord Phineas to propose.” Mama cut Augusta an angry look. “They seemed to get on so well, we all believed she would accept his suit. When Lord Phineas returned from his stroll without Augusta, Lady Dorchester asked what had occurred. He told her that Augusta did not wish to marry because she has been accepted to university and intends to travel to Padua.” Mama took a large breath. “Naturally, everyone around us heard him.”
Grace’s mouth and brows drew down. “That will be all over Town by this evening.”
“I do not know what to do,” Mama complained. “She has turned down at least ten gentlemen, and now everyone will believe she is a bluestocking. Gossip like this does not fade. She will never find a husband!”
“Mama, you said I should not feel bound to wed this Season,” Augusta said, keeping her tone calm.
“That is not the point!” her mother snapped. “You already have a reputation of being hard to please, and now you have made it worse.” Her mother rubbed her forehead. “This is not something you can overcome with time.”
No one spoke for a few moments, and she wondered how her sister-in-law would broach her going to Europe.
“I have an idea.” Grace balanced her cup on her lap. “My cousin Jane and her husband are making a trip to Paris.” Augusta watched Mama as Grace spoke. There was no change in her expression. “They have asked if Augusta would like to join them. Lady Harrington has also expressed a wish that Augusta visit her.”
All perfectly true, just not the whole story. Of course, Grace hadn’t mentioned where they might go from Paris. Not only that, but Augusta had complied with her mother’s demand that someone of consequence sponsor her. An Italian count and countess must have enough status. And her mother would not be able to blame Matt, because he didn’t know.
“As it stands, I suppose I have no choice but to agree. It would be much better for her to leave Town for a while.” Mama sighed. “Perhaps some time in France will rid her of this ludicrous desire to attend university.” She moved from rubbing her forehead to rubbing her temple. “When do they depart?”
“In a week. Hector has arranged for a private yacht to carry them across. The traveling coaches and horses will be waiting for them in Calais.” Grace smiled reassuringly at Mama. “He has been planning this for some time. They will have a fairly large retinue, and he will not stint on comfort or safety. Augusta will be well chaperoned. I’ll also send her maid, footman, and groom with her.”
She was about to add that Cousin Prudence would be there as well, but thought it better to allow Grace to handle Mama.
Mama rose gracefully from the sofa, her tea untouched. “Very well, I shall not object. Augusta”—her mother gave her a disgruntled look—“I will see you before you depart.”
“Yes, Mama.” Augusta managed to make her voice sound meek when she wanted to shout with joy.
Once the door closed and her mother’s steps could no longer be heard, she breathed a sigh of relief. “She really is furious. Should I cry off from my entertainments this week?”
“She is indeed, but her anger will not last long.” Grace drank the rest of her tea. “No. You are not in disgrace, and we do not need more talk. I shall look over the invitations and decide which events you will attend. I fully suspect news of your journey to Europe will get out shortly.” She grinned. “In fact, I would be very much surprised if your mother does not mention your travel plans when she returns to her garden party. Once that happens, no one will expect you to be gadding around Town as you have been doing.”
The elation of the coming trip dissipated, and Augusta began to feel a twinge of regret for disappointing her mother. “I am sorry to have caused so much trouble.”
“Sweetheart, you are no trouble at all. You simply wish for something different than your mother wants for you.” Grace put her arm around Augusta. “Everything will work out just as it is meant to. I have reason to believe it always does.”
If only she could be as sanguine. “Will Jane and Hector think I am odd to wish to attend university?”
“Maybe a little.” Grace patted Augusta’s back. “It is not something a well-bred young lady normally wishes to do, but I’ll speak with Jane. Once she understands, she will support you. After all, she defied my family and stood by me.”
“And Hector has traveled the world.”
“He has. More importantly, he, like Dotty’s father, is a true Radical. His travels have convinced him that all men and women should be able to have a say in government.”
Matt strolled into the study. “I just spoke with Patience. She said Augusta would join Jane and Hector.” Matt glanced at Augusta. “Based on the talk that has started at Stanwood House, that’s probably a good idea.”
“Talk?” Grace raised a brow.
“Lady Thornhill and Lord Phineas are attempting to turn the conversation, but he made the mistake of blurting out that Augusta wished to attend university.”
She hung her head. Her mother had been correct. She was going to be branded a bluestocking, if not worse. “I might not have any invitations to accept.”
“I’m certain your mother will do everything she is able to suppress the gossip.”
“If you’re sure you wish to go, I must send for my solicitor. Hector will have to be given power of attorney over you.”
Augusta had been so focused on her desires, she hadn’t thought about how her life would change. She would miss her family, but traveling to the Continent, being able to attend university, were drea
ms come true. She would not give them up. And despite what her mother said, surely the right gentleman would be there when she was ready to wed. That gentleman was just not Phinn.
Chapter Thirteen
“Phineas.” Helen’s voice stopped him as he tried to surreptitiously depart from Stanwood House. “What has happened? Where is Lady Augusta?”
That’s what he wanted to know. Damn, he did not want to answer either of those questions. “Lady Augusta rejected my proposal.” That should keep his sister-in-law from asking any further questions. “I do not know where she is.”
“But I do not understand.” A slight frown turned the corners of Helen’s mouth down. “You appear to get on so well.”
Apparently, she was not going to let this go. He glanced around. If he kept his voice down, chances were no one would hear him. “Lady Augusta is not going to marry anyone. She has made plans to attend university in Italy.”
“University!” Helen practically shrieked. “In Italy!”
He couldn’t blame her for her response. After all, he’d done the same thing, but, blast it all, she didn’t have to let the whole world know. “Keep your voice down.”
“My daughter is not going to Italy.” Lady Wolverton’s ice-cold tone startled Phinn. Hell and the Devil confound it. He should have kept his mouth shut until he and Helen were in the coach. “And she is certainly not attending university.” Her ladyship inclined her head to him. “Please excuse me for a few minutes.”
He took his sister-in-law’s arm. “We should leave.”
“We cannot go anywhere until Lady Wolverton returns.” Helen patted his arm. “I have hope that Lady Augusta will soon change her mind.”
Except that Phinn didn’t want her to be coerced into marrying him. Not only that, but Helen didn’t know to take into account that Worthington seemed to be supporting Augusta. Be that as it may, he couldn’t very well drag Helen out, and Augusta might need his help. Already groups of ladies were whispering and he had little doubt the topic was her. “Very well. We shall remain until she returns.”
It wasn’t long before Lady Thornhill came up to him and Helen. “Are you sure you heard correctly, my lord? I do not believe that any of the universities are accepting ladies.” She smiled. “Although, I, for one, would applaud any progress in that area.”
Of that he had no doubt. Here was his chance to make amends for letting the cat out of the bag, as it were. “I could very well be mistaken, my lady. Once she had refused my suit, I was rather distraught and not listening properly.” He tried to come up with a reason for mentioning Italy and university. “She might have been speaking about the fountain that came from Italy.”
“That must be it.” Lady Thornhill gave him a look of approval. She launched into a discussion about Italian artists, the art schools, and the number of pieces that had been brought to England from that country before the war, effectively stopping the talk about Augusta until Lady Wolverton returned.
Her ladyship came directly to Phinn. “Please excuse me, my lord, but I had not yet been informed that my daughter is indeed traveling to Europe. She will be accompanying Lady Worthington’s cousin Mrs. Addison and her husband on a long-planned trip to the Continent, and staying with Lady Harrington in Paris.”
“There you are, Lord Phineas,” Lady Thornhill said triumphantly. “You mistook what Lady Augusta said.”
“Yes, indeed.” He tried to give the impression of being relieved and chagrined at the same time. “How stupid of me to think a lady would wish to attend university at all and in Italy at that. My mind was so muddled I made a mull of everything Lady Augusta said after she gently refused my suit.” He bowed. “Thank you for correcting me, my lady. I believe I would like to return home.”
“Yes, of course.” Lady Wolverton inclined her head. “I understand.”
This time Helen didn’t argue but bussed her ladyship’s cheek. “I shall see you soon.”
“I look forward to it.” Lady Wolverton kissed Helen’s cheek as well. “I do wish Worthington would have informed me earlier, but apparently, the invitation was issued only a day or two ago and he has been extremely busy in the Lords.”
“Goodness,” one of the older ladies in a turban exclaimed. “I have almost forgotten I have a husband, he has spent so much time at Whitehall.”
Once again, the conversation turned from Augusta. Phinn was relieved that Lady Thornhill had averted what could have been a scandal. He’d have to be more careful from now on. Still, he’d thought Helen had more discretion than she’d shown. He wanted to chastise her, but did not wish to discuss his failed bid for Augusta’s hand.
The problem now was that Phinn was very sure no other lady would do for him. That meant that one way or another he had to convince Augusta to marry him. And the only way to do that was to follow her to Europe. Ergo, he had plans to set into motion.
Without further to-do, he guided his sister-in-law to the hall and out to the front of the house, where their carriage waited. As soon as he arrived home he sent a footman to fetch Boman.
Phinn impatiently paced his bedchamber until his secretary arrived.
Boman entered without knocking. “You look like a caged animal. What’s going on?”
“Find out when and on what ship a Mr. Addison is leaving for France. It will be in about a week. I wish to be on that vessel.”
Boman frowned. “I thought you were going to find a lady and marry.”
“I am.” Phinn grinned. “The lady I plan to wed will be on that ship.”
His friend’s jaw dropped. “Lady Augusta’s going to Europe?”
“Yes, and so are we.” This felt like the best decision he’d made in a long time.
The next morning, he woke early and was the first one to the breakfast room. His intention was to speak with his brother without Helen present. Fortunately, he did not have long to wait.
“Good morning,” Dorchester said, walking through the door as Phinn was deciding what to eat. He still had not got over the amount of food available. Strange how rough travel changed one’s perspective. “Or is it? Helen told me Lady Augusta turned you down.”
He finished filling his plate and set it on the table. “Did she also tell you that the lady is traveling to Europe next week?”
“I believe something to that effect was mentioned.” His brother took a plate and headed to the sideboard.
“I am going to follow her.” He sat down, putting the table between him and his brother.
“What?” Dorchester spun around so fast, the ham on his plate flew off, landing several feet away. “Follow her to Europe?”
“Er, yes.” Phinn poured cups of tea for him and his brother. “I believe the only reason she rejected me is that she wishes to travel. I cannot blame her for that.”
Dorchester raised one brow. “A rather unusual ambition for a young lady.”
“Why?” Phinn raised his own brow. “There are many ladies on the Continent at the moment.”
“Not many who are looking for husbands. At least not the ones they should be looking for.”
He had to be careful what he said. Yesterday, his thoughtlessness almost ruined Augusta’s reputation. “I cannot think it odd that a lady of any age would turn down an opportunity to travel in the company of relatives.”
“Harrumph.” Dorchester finished filling his plate, then took his place at the head of the table. “What are you attempting to tell me?”
“I’m going to follow her.” Obviously Phinn had not been clear the first time. He drank his tea as his brother gave him a long, steady, and he hoped, firm look.
Finally, Dorchester said, “And your promise to marry and get an heir?”
“A vow I fully intend to keep.” Phinn never broke a promise. “I can wed and bed my lady on the Continent as well as I can in England.”
“You are that serious about her?” Dorchester picked up his cup and sipped as if nothing unusual was going on.
“I am.” The silence in the room deepened,
and Phinn dug into his baked egg.
His brother cocked one brow, giving him a rather dubious look. “And you believe you can change her mind about marrying you?”
“I do.” Once Augusta figured out he would not stop her from her travels, at least until she was breeding or gave birth, he was sure she would marry him. After all, they shared a good many common interests. Phinn wasn’t sure how he would deal with her wish to attend university, but he’d come up with some compromise.
A slow smile spread across Dorchester’s face. “You’re in lust.”
Phinn thought about it for a moment. He was not only in lust—bedding her would be a pleasure—but he was in awe of her mind as well. For a second, the memory of Augusta mentioning love pricked him. Surely friendship coupled with strong physical desire was enough. Eventually, it would turn into love. It had for his parents and brother.
He gave his brother an answering smile. “I am.”
“Well, Helen will not be happy about it, but as long as you promise to start working on your nursery, I’m confident I can bring her about.” Dorchester chewed on a piece of toast and swallowed. “There is no need for you to say anything to her.”
“I’ll be busy making plans to depart. I only have a week.” Phinn hoped Boman would be able to find the ship on which Augusta would sail. Surely, one of the shipping offices here would have the information.
“You’d better attend the evening events before you depart. At least until I can make my wife understand how important this is to you.”
That would be a bother. Still, every day Boman would report to Phinn on his progress. And there really wasn’t much he could do to prepare in the evenings. “Very well. I suppose I can depend on Boman to do most of the work.”
“I think you will have to.” Dorchester remained silent as they finished their breakfast. “If you require any assistance in arranging the appropriate travel documents or letters of introduction, I’ll be happy to oblige.”
He could have knocked Phinn over with a feather. “Thank you, I shall.” That reminded him, he’d have to visit his banker. “You can tell me who Lady Harrington is, if you know.”