Believe in Me

by Ella Quinn

  “I do not believe you are here to save a lady in distress.” Sneering derisively at the young man, he pulled her arm. “You are mistaken.”

  “I do not believe I am.” The other man stepped toward them.

  “Lady Augusta, I have been looking for you.” At the sound of Phinn’s voice, Châlons’s grip slackened and she broke free.

  She had just reached Phinn and taken his arm, when the comte said, “Messieurs, you interrupt.”

  Phinn arched one haughty brow. “I am quite sure I did.”

  “What right have you?” Ignoring the young man, Châlons focused on Phinn. His brows lowered, and his tone held a dangerous note. Even more disturbing, the comte’s hand went to his sword. “I demand you depart immediately.”

  Phinn covered her fingers with his. “We will be happy to comply.” He nodded curtly to both men. “I wish you a good day.”

  “You will meet me for such an affront.” At the same time, Châlons moved as if he would stop her and Phinn from leaving, and the other man closed the distance between them.

  “Meet you? As in a duel?” Augusta couldn’t hide her shock. The man could not be serious. “They are illegal.”

  “It’s not enforced,” Phinn murmured. “Monsieur, perhaps you are unaware that Lady Augusta and I are betrothed.”

  “Betrothed?” The man shook his head as if he did not understand.

  Oh, for the love of God! Augusta blew out a frustrated breath. This was becoming a family habit. First Dotty, then Louisa, and Charlotte. Although Louisa had been the one to declare she and Rothwell were engaged. Unfortunately, Augusta could not very well object at the moment. The last thing she wanted was for Phinn to be killed in a duel.

  “Elle est ma fiancée,” he said patiently, as she did her best to gaze lovingly up at him.

  “Come.” She tugged on his arm. “We should go back. I have been gone too long.”

  “As you wish, my dear.” They strolled off before the comte could ask any more questions.

  Suddenly, the young man was in front of them, staring at her like Lord Lancelot used to do. “I would have been honored to rescue you.”

  Although the gentleman had addressed her, Phinn answered. “We appreciate your assistance, monsieur.”

  He took a step forward, but instead of moving out of their way, the man said, “I would have fought a duel for you.”

  Phinn’s arm tightened as if he were preparing to fight, yet when he spoke, his tone was a well-bred drawl. “I am quite sure you would have, however, I beg you will not. The lady is averse to bloodshed on her account.” This time he gave the young man a pointed look, and the gentleman stepped aside then left.

  She glanced at Phinn. “Are all young men so dramatic?”

  “All young men are in need of a great deal of maturity.”

  They were almost at the palace before Augusta decided it was safe to speak. “We are not betrothed.”

  “You may jilt me when we leave Paris.” Phinn’s tone was even, but he gave her a hard look. “What the deuce were you about, going off with the man?”

  “I was trying to think of a way to convince Hector and Jane to allow me to travel to Valenciennes.”

  “Valenciennes?” Phinn’s brow cleared. “Ah. The Sequence of Saint Eulalia.”

  “Yes.” She was pleased she had not had to explain herself. “You must remember that Monsieur Clement said it is the best example of Old French as it was spoken.”

  “Augusta, I understand how important that is to you.” It suddenly occurred to her that he really did understand. “But, you must be more aware of what is going on around you.” He heaved a sigh. “Do you know what might have happened if Châlons had succeeded in getting you alone?”

  “I suppose he would have tried to kiss me, but—”

  Phinn stopped strolling. “He might have succeeded in compromising you.”

  “I suppose you are right.” In fact, if it wasn’t for Phinn, that is exactly what could have occurred. If only she could pay attention long enough to keep gentlemen from paying attention to her. The problem was, almost every time one of them started speaking, her mind wandered to a more absorbing topic. “I shall have to start carrying my dagger.”

  “While you’re at it you can have shoes specially made with blades in the heels.”

  “Oh, so that if I stamp on a gentleman’s foot it will hurt him.” This is what she needed, practical help. “That is an excellent idea. Thank you.”

  “I wasn’t entirely serious.” He closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing the spot between them. “If Addison agrees, I will escort you to Valenciennes.”

  “Oh, Phinn, thank you!” Augusta wanted to throw her arms around him and . . . and kiss him. Where had that thought come from? She gave herself a shake, then smiled at him. “You are the best of friends.”

  And a friend was all he would ever be. No matter how handsome he had become, or how much she enjoyed his company, and he hers. Phinn did not even wish to remain betrothed to her. He most likely thought of her as the sister he never had. She should think of him like she did Walter or Charlie, but . . . but . . . No! She wasn’t going to think about him at all.

  Phinn searched through the crowd of guests near the palace until he saw Lord and Lady Harrington. He’d have to have a conversation with them and Addison before the comte got back and told everyone that Phinn and Augusta were betrothed.

  It had felt good claiming her as his. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what she wanted, and he would never trap her into marriage. Images of them ambling along hand in hand assailed him. For the first time, he could not envision his life without her. Not just in his bed, but going through life’s daily chores and traveling with her. Lately, it had been hard to leave her at Harrington House. Phinn wanted to take her home with him.

  Did that mean he was falling in love? Dorchester said it snuck up on a man. One day a gentleman was just happy bedding a beautiful, desirable creature, and the next he realized he never wanted to live without her.

  Well, blast it all. Phinn hadn’t even got to bed Augusta, and already he could not imagine a time when she was not in his life. But what would he have to do to make her willingly enter into the state of matrimony with him? Not what he had been doing. That was clear.

  He had to give her what she wanted, but how could he do that and keep his promise to his brother? Until he figured that out there would be no bedding.

  Phinn left Augusta with her cousin and Mrs. Addison while he joined Addison’s group. The man raised a brow and Phinn gave a slight nod. They had both seen Châlons steering a completely oblivious Augusta away from the rest of the guests. Fortunately, Addison had agreed Phinn should be the one to fetch her.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen,” Addison said before following Phinn. “Not that I have anything against the comte. He appears to be a perfectly good man, but Augusta is in my charge. What the devil happened?”

  Phinn couldn’t help but smile a bit. “She was trying to come up with an argument to convince you to allow her to go to Valenciennes.”

  The other man’s eyes widened. “What the deuce is in Valenciennes?”

  “The Sequence of Saint Eulalia, of course.” He laughed as Addison hung his head and shook it. “It was as we thought. She started thinking about something and stopped paying attention to everything else.” Phinn explained he’d found Augusta demanding to return to her party and the comte refusing to let her go. “I daresay, many English gentlemen would do the same.” He held that thought for a moment then said, “I don’t think it’s right, but there it is.”

  “Is that all?” The look Addison gave Phinn told him he expected there to be more to the story.

  “Not precisely.” His lacy cravat seemed to tighten.

  “Châlons objected to my interference and called me out. That was when I told him Lady Augusta and I were betrothed.” Addison heaved a sigh. “I told her she could jilt me when we left Paris, but our so-called betrothal should give you some peace.”

  “Well,
if it gets out, that would explain my telling the men who have proposed that she is unavailable.” He wiped a hand down his face. “And Worthington thought she’d be the easy one.” Yet instead of grumbling, the older man barked a laugh. “What do you suggest we do?”

  Unavailable to wed? What did that mean? And what other men? Glancing around, Phinn caught a young man staring at Augusta in the same way Lord Lancelot used to do. “Allow me to escort her to see the Sequence. Naturally, Mrs. Brunning will accompany us, so there will be no issue of propriety. With the travel there and back, and the time it will likely take to get permission to see the document, it will be around ten days before we return.”

  “Which is when we’ll be ready to continue our journey.” Addison thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “That will work. With you and Augusta out of sight and mind, as it were, any gossip will, hopefully, die down.”

  “Not only that, but with the amount of time we’ll be traveling, by the time we return to England, it will have been forgotten.”

  “Unless you do wish to wed her.” There was a sly look in his eyes.

  “Mr. Addison, in case you have not heard, I have already asked Lady Augusta to marry me, and she was not open to my proposal.” Vehemently, not willing to even listen to Phinn’s offer.

  “I know.” He gave Phinn a steady look. “But it doesn’t look to me as though your feelings have changed.”

  The neckcloth tightened. Not only had they not changed, they had become deeper. “The difficulty is that I made a promise to find a wife and get an heir. She is not yet ready to settle down with children.”

  “That is a problem. But I’ll tell you that I will always regret not staying and fighting for Jane. I was damned lucky she didn’t marry another man.” Addison’s brows lowered and he rubbed his chin. “You know, even if you did wed to get an heir, there is no controlling how long it would take.” Gazing over Phinn’s shoulder, Addison said, “As far as I know, there’s no law that says a lady can’t attend university and be married at the same time.” He patted Phinn on his shoulder. “You collect the ladies and call for the carriages. I’ll find Harrison.”

  What the hell had just happened? Even though Phinn had tried to put the incident with the comte in the best light, he had expected Addison to be at least a little upset. Not try to encourage Phinn to do exactly what he wanted. In fact the only thing stopping him from promising Augusta everything she wanted was his duty to his brother. He could not bring himself to abrogate one vow to take another. Somehow he had to find a way to have Augusta and keep his promise to his brother. Still, what her cousin said made sense. Babies did not necessarily follow marriage. Especially, if one took care.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  When their party arrived back at Harrington House, Hector sent Augusta up to consult with the maid about packing for the jaunt to Valenciennes and promptly convened a meeting with Jane, the Harringtons, and Prue. He told them what had happened with Augusta and Lord Phineas at Versailles.

  “That was fortuitous,” Elizabeth Harrington said as she poured them glasses of wine. “I was running out of gentlemen to throw at her.”

  “I, for one, don’t know that it did much good.” Harrington took his goblet of wine. “He never seemed jealous.”

  “Because he knew Augusta did not care for any of them,” his wife pointed out. “She only had a good time dancing with him.”

  “I must say”—Jane took a sip of wine and swallowed it—“I’ve felt almost guilty allowing her to run all over Paris with Lord Phineas. Even if I did make her take her footman. She would never have been allowed to do that in London.”

  “Think about how I feel,” Prue added. “I am supposed to be her companion and have done absolutely nothing but acquire a new, and very fashionable, wardrobe.”

  Hector set his goblet down. “In London they would have been noticed. I doubt any of our set saw them going to the historical sights.”

  “I believe you are correct,” Elizabeth said. “I would have heard about it from someone.”

  “Other than allow them to spend time alone”—Jane’s lips formed a moue—“I don’t know how else to show them they were meant for each other.”

  “But do we know he loves her?” Harrington asked. “He is not doing anything that was on the list.”

  Sitting next to him, his wife patted his knee. “Augusta is not a typical young lady. He has done everything she wished him to do, and he made it possible for her to see that document.”

  “He only sent her flowers once.” Apparently the man could not give the topic up.

  “That is true,” Elizabeth said. “But it was an unexpected, singular gesture. Unlike the other gentlemen who bombarded the house with posies she never even noticed.”

  “I talked to him after he rescued Augusta from the comte.” Hector grinned to himself. “The poor devil is torn between his feelings for her and his vow to his brother.” This time he couldn’t keep his laughter in and it was a few moments before he could continue. “I suggested that babies did not necessarily need to come straightaway. I’m not entirely sure he took my meaning.”

  Jane glanced at Elizabeth. “Speaking of getting heirs. Have you heard anything about Lady Dorchester? If she was to have an heir, Lord Phineas would be free to follow his heart, and Augusta would have the gentleman she needs.”

  “I received a letter from Louisa. It appears that Helen Dorchester is breeding again. Unfortunately the birth will not be until around Christmas.”

  “I don’t want them to wait that long,” Hector said.

  “I am not convinced she has given the matter any thought at all,” Elizabeth said.

  “Well, she was thinking of something today.” Prue gave them all a look. “She couldn’t drag her eyes away from him.”

  “Oh, I think she is attracted to him,” Jane said. “I do not believe that she has any idea he loves her.”

  “Well, that is a problem.” Elizabeth drummed her fingers on the arm of the sofa. “I wonder if there is anything more we can do.”

  “I can give him the list,” Harrington suggested.

  His wife rolled her eyes. “The only thing that list did was get you into trouble.”

  He slid her a heated look. “It got me you.”

  “I shall see if I can come up with something while we’re gone.” Prue rose. “If you will excuse me, I must see to my own packing.”

  “I’ll send a note around to Lord Phineas telling him to take our main coach. It will be easier for all of you.”

  “That will make the journey much nicer.” Prue gave a little wave and left the room.

  The conversation changed to where Hector and his party would travel next.

  “I do not wish to go over the Alps.” After Jane had discovered that going through the mountains would require disassembling the coaches, she’d been firm on that point.

  “I didn’t think you would.” Much to Hector’s disappointment. “I made tentative plans to visit Baden-Baden, then travel on to Munich, Vienna, and Budapest.”

  Augusta strolled into the room holding a piece of foolscap. “I have bonnets for Madeline and the twins, gowns for Mary and Theo, and fabric for my friends being delivered.” Augusta glanced at Jane. “They can be sent to Grace. I wrote a letter to her. Here are the details.” She handed the list to Jane. “Can you arrange to send the packages to England?”

  “Of course, dear.”

  * * *

  The next morning Augusta hugged Elizabeth, Jane, and Hector, then shook hands with Harrington. “How soon after we return would you like to leave Paris?”

  “Almost immediately,” Hector said. “Have a good time with your document.”

  “We will.” Augusta smiled. She couldn’t believe she was being allowed to travel to see the Sequence. “Lord Phineas sent a note that he received the letter of introduction from Monsieur Clement to the director in Valenciennes. I cannot wait to read it.”

  In addition to her groom and footman, her cousin sent his coachman. Phin
n’s grooms and hers would act as outriders and one of his coachmen would second Hector’s. They’d collect Phinn and his secretary from their hotel.

  Augusta hugged Tommy, Jane, and Hector. “Thank you.”

  He assisted her into the coach. “Have a good journey.”

  “I will.” Augusta turned to wave at the others. “Other than reading the Oaths of Strasbourg, this is the most thrilling adventure I have ever had.”

  Hector chuckled. “I’m sure it is.”

  Prue settled in next to Augusta, and Hector gave the order to depart. She was so excited she could barely sit still. This is what being in Italy would be like when she and her cousin traveled during school holidays. When she would finally be a university student. She must purchase her own carriage. Assuming Matt sent her enough money to buy a vehicle. But that could be addressed later. She should ask Phinn about buying an already made conveyance as he had done.

  A few minutes later, they stopped in front of the Hôtel Meurice, and Durant went in to inform Phinn they had arrived. Moments later, his luggage was added to hers. He spoke to her through the window. “I’ve never seen a private coach built like a diligence. Where do you want us?”

  “I thought your valet could travel in the back section with my maid and Button, Prue’s maid. You and Mr. Boman may ride with us.”

  “Excellent.” A few moments later Phinn opened the door and settled onto the back-facing bench of the coach. Boman, his secretary, followed. As soon as the carriage started again, Phinn brought out a map. “I thought we could take the route through Noyon and Saint-Quentin if you have no objection.”

  Augusta drew her finger along the route, bringing to mind what she had read of the towns. “You wish to visit the cathedral and the basilica.”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “They are both said to be fine examples of medieval architecture.” He handed her a piece of paper. “My hotel suggested these inns.”

  “Very well.” She read the names. “We shall spend the first night at the Hôtel Coeur de Noyon.” She glanced at Prue. “There are two recommendations in Saint-Quentin. We can make our decision when we arrive.”