by Ella Quinn
“Fair enough.” He put some coins on the table. “I’ll see you later.”
Phinn walked out of the tavern and hailed a hackney. He no longer had time for leisurely strolls. His first stop was to his bank, where he made arrangements to be able to draw funds while in Europe. The second was to the Royal Institution.
As he climbed the steps to the front door, he suffered some pangs of regret that he probably would not be presenting his paper on Aztec antispasmodic medicines. Walking past a servant standing in the hall, he made his way to the secretary’s office, knocking on the open door.
“My lord.” The secretary, Mr. Cooper, held a letter in one hand and a pen in the other. His sparse, graying hair looked as if a windstorm had hit it. “I am sorry, but I have a catastrophe on my hands.”
“I am afraid I am going to add to your problems.” Phinn hated cancelling his presentation, yet he couldn’t see away around it. If he remained until the end of the week, he might not arrive in Paris before Augusta did. “I must depart for the Continent earlier than I’d planned.”
Taking off his gold-rimmed spectacles, the secretary rubbed his nose. “When do you leave?”
“The day after tomorrow at the latest.” Inwardly, he cringed. There was a very good possibility that he’d never be invited to give a paper again.
Cooper peered through his smudged eyeglasses. “Are you available tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock?”
“I am.” Phinn would make himself available. “I will have to leave when I finish.”
“Yes, of course. One of our presenters is suddenly unable to arrive in time to present his paper. Now he can take your place. Very good. Very good indeed,” the secretary muttered to himself, making notes on a large piece of foolscap covering his desk. “Thank you very much for coming by, my lord.”
“My pleasure.” Turning, he strolled back out into the corridor. That had worked out well. Hopefully, that meant the Fates were with him.
Chapter Fifteen
“My lady,” Thorton said. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Augusta dragged her gaze from the window on the side of the front door, and her mind from Phineas Carter-Woods. He should be gone, but he’d stopped to look at his watch. The man was dangerous. She wasn’t quite sure how she knew it, she just did. To make things worse, she had the feeling her brother’s butler knew she had been staring at him. “The carriage will be brought around in thirty minutes?”
“It will, my lady. Just as her ladyship said.”
“I had better change.” Augusta still could not shake the feeling that Phinn was up to something. If only she knew what it was.
When she reached her bedchamber, the yellow carriage gown had been set out and her maid was waiting. “Have you figured out how many trunks we shall need?”
“Yes, my lady. The list is in your reticule.” She stood while she was unlaced from one gown and into another. “You have received a letter from your cousin. I recognized her hand.”
“Excellent.” In the last note, Cousin Prue had agreed to act as Augusta’s companion. She picked up the message from her toilet table and popped open the seal.
My dear Augusta,
I shall arrive by hired coach in the afternoon of the twelfth of May. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to our journey.
Your devoted cousin,
P. B.
“She will be here tomorrow afternoon. I must tell Grace.” Augusta began to walk off when a polite but firm hand stopped her.
“My lady, unless you wish to come back, allow me to put your hat on you, and give you your gloves and reticule.”
“Yes, of course.” Augusta watched in the mirror as Gobert tilted the bonnet just so and tied the ribbon under Augusta’s right ear. “I must admit, I am becoming very excited about our trip.”
“As am I, my lady.” Her maid stepped back. “Now you are ready.”
She was in such a rush, she almost ran into Grace. “Oh, there you are. I received a missive from Cousin Prue. She arrives tomorrow afternoon.”
“I am so happy she agreed to accompany you.” Grace linked arms with Augusta, turning her toward the stairs. “I know that Jane has said she has enough help for little Tommy, but it will be nice for you not to have to rely on her every time you wish to go somewhere.”
“And for her not to have to chaperone me all the time.” Augusta and Grace made their way down the stairs.
“Thorton,” Grace said. “Please tell Mrs. Thorton that Mrs. Brunning will arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon.”
Augusta had always wondered how their housekeeper, who was so jolly, had married Thorton who never showed his thoughts.
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed. “I shall be happy to relay your message.”
Soon she and Grace were in the town coach headed toward Bruton Street and the traveling-trunk shop.
A bell tinkled as they walked in the door. Several different sizes of chests, portmanteaus, hat boxes, and other items were displayed around the shop. A matching set of five trunks sat off to one side, and Augusta wondered if they were for sale. She needed the items almost immediately.
Two men, one of whom reminded her of her brother’s valet, were talking. The second man glanced up. “Ladies, I will be with you straightaway.”
“Do not rush on our account,” Augusta said. She had never bought a traveling trunk, or, indeed, a trunk of any kind and wanted to look around a bit. The more she gazed at the set of black chests, the more she thought she might just purchase them.
Once the valet-looking man left the store, the other man with graying hair came up to her and Grace. “I am Mr. Briggs.” He bowed. “How may I assist you?”
“I would like to buy those trunks.” Augusta pointed to the set.
“I’m sorry.” The clerk’s brow puckered. “Unfortunately, the person who just left already purchased them.”
That wasn’t good. She needed something right away. “Do you have any other trunks that are already made?”
“I regret to say that I do not. Do you require them immediately?”
“Within the next five days.” Well, piffle. She and Grace would have to find another store.
Mr. Briggs tapped his chin for a moment before saying, “I have several trunks that only require coverings. It wouldn’t take more than three days at the most for them to be completed. You would also be able to select the coverings you wish and the inside accouterments.”
Inside accouterments? Augusta had no idea what that could be. “Could you show me what you mean?”
“It would be my pleasure. Follow me please.” He led them to the far corner of the shop where various tray-like containers were shelved. “These are placed in the shell of the trunk to allow you to organize the chest the way you wish.” He drew one of the trays out. “This, for example, is designed to hold a traveling desk. I also have compartments for various other items.”
“That would be extremely useful,” Grace remarked as she inspected one of the other trays.
An hour later, Augusta had selected the insides of her new trunks.
“And here are the coverings from which you can choose.” In addition to the black cover she had already seen, he showed Augusta several shades of brown. “The trunk will also have brass tacks, if you like.”
Selecting trunks was almost as fun as buying gowns. “Could I have black with dark brown straps?”
“Naturally.” The man smiled. “You may have anything you wish.”
It was not often she was told that. “I would like black with dark brown straps and brass tacks.”
“Excellent choice.” The man beamed at her. “Is there anything else you would like?”
She had already selected five trunks, two portmanteaus, several hat boxes, and a valise. “That will be all.”
Mr. Briggs hurried to the counter and began writing down her purchases. “If you give me the address, I will have them delivered in three days.”
Grace made arrangements for the bill and th
e trunks to be sent to Worthington House.
“Thank you for your custom, my ladies.” Mr. Briggs held the door for them.
As they strolled out of the shop onto the pavement, Augusta worried her thumb nail. “I hope that is enough. I must think of Gobert and the others as well.”
“I am sure there are some trunks in the attic if you are short,” Grace said in a reassuring tone. “Now, let us stop in at Madame Lisette’s and see how your travel garments are coming.”
* * *
Not long after Augusta and Grace returned to Worthington House, Dorie, Henrietta, Adeline, and Georgiana were ushered into Augusta’s parlor.
“What on earth happened yesterday?” Henrietta said as she hugged Augusta.
“We wanted to come immediately after the disturbance, but our mothers said to wait until today,” Georgiana said, taking her turn to embrace Augusta.
“Europe! This week?” Adeline replaced Georgiana as the others took seats on the two sofas.
“Lady Thornhill saved the day after Lord Phineas made such a mull of it.” Dorie bussed Augusta’s cheek. “But then he caught on quickly and admitted he had been so disappointed by your refusal that he had not heard you properly, and you did say you would accompany your cousin to France.” She cast her gaze to the ceiling. “Naturally, he was believed because you know gentlemen never listen when a lady is speaking.”
Augusta was relieved everything had turned out so well. She should have suspected Phinn would recognize he should not have said anything. It was extremely clever, and he was still her friend. She stepped over to the bellpull to order tea, but a knock came on the door and Durant, her footman, entered with a large tray and two teapots.
Her friends waited until she poured and handed around plates of ginger biscuits.
Henrietta picked up a biscuit. “What did occur?”
It was a relief to be able to discuss what happened with her friends.
“As you have gathered, Lord Phineas proposed. I had no idea he had planned to ask me to marry him.”
Her friends stared at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Augusta,” Dorie said patiently, “you have spent more time with him than with any other gentleman. It was clear he was looking for a wife.”
“He did not even ask my brother first.” Had Augusta been the only one not to know he wished to wed her?
“Well, speaking with Worthington did not help any of the other gentlemen,” Henrietta pointed out in a dry tone. Adeline and Georgiana nodded.
“In any event, I turned him down.” There was no need to explain everything she and Phinn had said. Augusta took a sip of tea. “I told him I planned to go to Italy and study.” Thinking back over his initial reaction, he had appeared a bit stunned by the news. “I was shocked by his proposal and decided to come back here. Grace saw me, and we had a discussion. That is when she told me Cousin Jane and her husband had decided to travel to Europe.”
“Not just France,” Dorie said.
“No. We will visit Paris, then move on.” Augusta was starting to feel a little guilty about deceiving her mother. “My mama does not know that part.”
Georgiana fluttered her fingers. “As long as your brother knows, that is all that matters.”
Augusta needed to change the conversation. “You said Lady Thornhill became involved?”
“Yes.” Dorie went on to explain in more detail how her ladyship made everyone believe Phinn had misspoken. Then Mama had returned and confirmed Augusta was simply traveling to Paris.
“Are you attending any more entertainments?” Adeline asked.
“I shall attend Lady Bellamny’s ball this evening.” Augusta hoped that would be the last one. “There is much to do and my cousin who will accompany me as a companion arrives tomorrow.”
“If anyone asks us,” Dorie said, “we will tell them that your visit to France has been planned for some time, and that Lord Phineas had not bothered to ask permission to address you.”
“Thus shocking you so much by his proposal that you felt you must return home.” Georgiana put her teacup down. “Are you all right? Is there anything we can do for you?”
“No.” Augusta shook her head. “Thank you for coming to see me.”
“Do not dare leave before we can get together again.” Adeline bussed Augusta’s cheek.
She walked them to the front door. She would miss her friends as well.
Later that evening, Augusta entered Lady Bellamny’s house on one of Rothwell’s arms. Her sister on the other. They greeted Lady Bellamny and made their way to the ballroom.
“Who are you dancing with first?” Louisa asked.
“I do not have a partner.” Augusta wished she’d told Phinn he could have it, but she had not wanted him to think she might change her mind.
“Give me a moment,” Rothwell said, before strolling off. He approached a blond gentleman who greeted him. Shortly thereafter, the man nodded, and Rothwell made his way back to Augusta with the gentleman in tow. “Lady Augusta, I believe you have already met Lord Turley.”
She could have kissed her brother-in-law. “I have. Good evening, my lord.”
The man bowed. “A pleasure. I hear you will be visiting my sister in Paris.”
Augusta inclined her head. “That is correct. I am vastly excited about it. I understand she adores the city.”
“She does indeed.” His lordship smiled. “I received a letter from her yesterday telling me you were to visit. She is looking forward to seeing you again.” Rothwell cleared his throat. “My lady, would you do me the honor of standing up with me for the first set?”
“Thank you, my lord.” Augusta smiled. “I would be delighted.”
Even though Lord Turley danced extremely well, she did not enjoy the set as much as she should have. Now that the clothing and luggage had been arranged, she wanted nothing more than to concentrate on her journey. Fortunately, his lordship was not a demanding conversationalist.
As he escorted her back to her sister, she overheard two matrons talking as they strolled into the room.
“Now that Lady Augusta is departing for France,” one lady said, “I shall speak with Helen Dorchester about an entertainment that will bring my Mary to Lord Phineas’s notice.”
A tick developed below Augusta’s eye. She should not be concerned about Phinn. He had to marry, and it could not be to her.
“I feel badly for Patience Wolverton,” the other lady commented. “Her first daughter married so well.”
A sliver of guilt again speared Augusta that she had hurt her mother. Still, she would wed eventually, and Madeline would be out in another three years.
Augusta strained to hear the other woman’s answer, but by then they were too far away. If it was not for her dance with Phinn, she would have asked to go home.
She refused to think about not seeing him again. He would have a wife and children by the time she returned to England. She hoped he’d marry for love. Of all the gentlemen who had offered for her, only one of them had claimed to love her, and Lord Lancelot was the last man she’d wed.
That, of course, reminded her of the masterful way Phinn had handled the lordling. She’d not seen him in Town since.
Lord Littleton approached and bowed. “Lady Augusta, may I hope that you have a set free?”
Well, Dorie might not like the man, but Augusta appreciated him. “I have the second dance free.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
He spoke a few words to Rothwell before strolling across the room.
That was three sets spoken for.
She enjoyed her dances with Lords Turley and Littleton. Turley answered her questions about Paris, and Littleton asked her questions about herself. But nothing could compare with being in Phinn’s arms for the waltz. Best of all, he acted as if nothing horrible had happened between them.
“My presentation to the Royal Institution has been moved up to tomorrow.” As he led her through a turn, she was sure she ended up a bit closer to him t
han before.
“How did that occur? Don’t they usually set their schedules in advance?”
“Someone will be late arriving. So they switched our days.” His intent silver gaze had butterflies flitting around in her stomach. “I would like you to come.”
Unlike the Royal Society, the Royal Institution did allow ladies to sit through the presentations, but should she? And why did he want her there? “If you’d like, I will come.”
“Thank you.” He grinned. “Perhaps you could give me a ride. I could walk, but I’ll have my papers with me, and I must have a word with the secretary at the Royal Society beforehand. I have to be at the Royal Institution at two o’clock.”
“You are impossible.” Still she laughed lightly. Trying not to believe it would be the last time they were together.
Chapter Sixteen
If it wasn’t for his waltz with Augusta, Phinn would have begged off the ball. If he could have arranged it, he would have appeared for the dance, and left immediately afterward. The two main problems with that idea were Augusta and Helen. Both ladies would want to know what he was about.
Thanks to the efficiency of his secretary, valet, and brother, he’d be ready to leave early morning the day after tomorrow, and neither lady could know. If presenting his paper was not so important to him, he could depart in a matter of hours. At this point, he wasn’t sure if the Fates were with him or not.
Earlier that day when he’d arrived back at Dorchester House, Musson said he had been successful in buying the only set of luggage the store had ready-made. Boman found a traveling carriage that had been ordered then refused for no reason he could find, and Dorchester had helped negotiate the purchase of six carriage horses and two hacks. He had also taken Phinn to Manton’s gun shop, where he purchased a rifle based on a German design. It was much better to not have to be too close to one’s enemy. Not that he expected much trouble on the Continent, but one never knew. He also bought two coaching pistols.
Phinn had been in Dorchester’s study, where his brother was writing the letters of introduction, when Boman joined them.