by Ella Quinn
“How long will it take to get to Valenciennes?” Prue asked.
“About two-and-a-half days of easy travel,” Augusta responded, handing the map to Phinn. “That will give us time to look at the towns.”
“I remembered you said that you cannot read in a coach, so I brought a traveling chess set.” He pulled out a box from his valise. “Would you like to play?”
“After we leave the city, I would be delighted.” She smiled at him. How thoughtful he was. “A game will help pass the time.”
It was not long before they passed through Porte Saint-Martin and were on the other side of the Paris wall.
* * *
Ten days later, they returned to Paris.
“Was it as wonderful as you thought it would be?” Jane asked as Phinn helped Augusta down from the carriage.
“It was even better.” She waited for Prue before linking arms with Jane. “The director asked me to sing the canticle. He even had a mandolin player to accompany me. I have been thinking that I must purchase a coach when I arrive in Padua.”
“We will discuss that once you are settled.” Jane glanced back at Phinn. “We are just about to have tea. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thank you.” He glanced at his secretary.
“I’m going to the hotel,” Boman said.
“In that case, I’ll see you there later.” Phinn followed the ladies to the morning room, where tea was being set out.
Addison fell in next to him. “Augusta is in good spirits.”
“She should be. She was treated like royalty.”
“There is a young man who’s been asking after Augusta. A Viscount Celje. Do you know him?”
The name didn’t sound familiar, but the vision of an earnest young man staring hungrily at Augusta crossed his mind. “Medium height, blond hair, about one- or two-and-twenty, and favors blue?”
“That sounds like him.”
Perdition! Augusta didn’t need another wet-behind-the-ears puppy following her around. “He was attempting to rescue Augusta from the count when I arrived.”
Hector nodded. “He’s probably just lovestruck. It seems to be occurring a great deal.”
“I can’t argue with that.” As far as Phinn was concerned, it was happening far too often. “Celje’s not a French name. What’s he doing here?”
“He’s been on a Grand Tour.” Addison led the way down the corridor.
As long as the man stayed away from Augusta, Phinn wished him a good journey. “Do you plan to attend any events between now and when you depart?”
“Not at the moment.” Addison gave Phinn an inscrutable look. “We’d better join the others.”
“Indeed.” He was a coward for not asking the man if he and Boman could join them when they left Paris.
* * *
The next day, Phinn accompanied Augusta shopping and for a final gown-fitting. He had one more restaurant that had been recommended. “Shall we have luncheon before returning?”
“Always.” She flashed him a happy grin. “I wonder if the food in the rest of Europe is as wonderful as it has been here.”
“I suppose you shall find out.” He guided them toward a restaurant with a few empty tables.
Suddenly he was jerked to stop. “What do you mean I shall find out? Are you returning to England?”
“No—” He stared at her for a moment. “Are you saying you want me to accompany you and your family when you leave Paris?”
“I-I . . .” Her forehead wrinkled in thought. “I just assumed you would come with us.”
That was exactly what Phinn had wanted to hear but had been afraid to hope for. “I will speak with your cousin when we return.”
Her brow smoothed, and she nodded. “Yes. You should do that.”
Phinn no longer had any doubt that he wished to spend the rest of his life with Augusta. Nor did he question his feelings. He was in love. Now all he had to do was convince her she loved him.
Part of him thought she must. No matter how much time they spent together, they never ran out of conversation and they continually found things they had in common. And she had just made clear she wanted them to continue to be together. He knew she was as physically attracted to him as he was to her. Yet, she did not recognize her reactions for what they were. Would it help him if she knew? Or would it scare her? She was so convinced she could not marry until she finished university.
Addison’s words came back to Phinn.
You know, even if you did wed to get an heir, there is no controlling how long it would take . . . As far as I know, there’s no law that says a lady can’t attend university and be married.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Two days after Augusta, Phinn, Prue, and Boman returned from Valenciennes, Hector announced they would begin the next part of their journey the following morning. They traveled by easy stages to Strasbourg then on to Baden-Baden, and Stuttgart, and were now in Munich. Soon they’d travel to Vienna.
The day before they were to leave, Augusta and Phinn were having coffee at a café. “I wonder how long it will take us to reach Vienna.”
“That depends where we stop and for how long.” He covered her hand with his.
He’d never made such an intimate gesture before. What did it mean? Not that it mattered. He had not given any indication that he loved her or that he would break his promise to his brother. Not that she would want him to act dishonorably. “At least we do not have balls and other entertainments to attend.”
His forehead creased. “That might change in Vienna.”
Hopefully not. Augusta had not liked the French court and could not imagine that the Habsburg court was any better. “Hector will present the introduction on my behalf. It is simply to reinforce Prince Esterházy’s assurance that I have been accepted to the university. Although, what can be done from Vienna, I do not know.”
“I’m sure they are powerful enough to make happen what they wish.” Phinn removed his hand and drained his cup. “He will have to go through our ambassador, Lord Stewart.”
She missed the warmth and strength of his hand. “That is true.”
“There will also be a good number of our fellow countrymen and -women in Vienna.” He signaled to the waiter. “Do you want anything else?”
“No, thank you.” What he’d said bothered her. Every time she had to attend evening entertainments, she was bored silly. “Who told you there would be English in Vienna?”
“I overheard it when we were in Paris.”
“Well, drat.”
Phinn laughed loudly. “We can always tell people we are betrothed.”
A pang struck her heart. Augusta was glad he found that amusing. She did not. “I wish to go.”
“You haven’t finished your coffee.” He stood as she did.
“I don’t care.” She signaled to Durant. “I shall see you at the hotel.”
Her footman caught up to her as she strode away from Phinn, and a horrifying feeling came over her. The closer they had got to Italy, the more excited she had become, but now she could not accept the idea that soon he would no longer be in her life.
And she knew exactly what was wrong. She was in love with him. When had that happened and why? She hadn’t wanted to fall in love. It was not part of her plans. And worse, that he could laugh about being betrothed just proved what she had thought at Versailles. He was not in love with her. After all the time they had spent together, if he was not in love with her by now, he never would be.
Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked hard. Why did this have to happen to her? All she wanted to do was attend university and now she had to fall in love. Even if Phinn did return her affections, it wouldn’t change her plans.
She reached the hotel, went straight to her bedchamber, and tried to take off her bonnet. But the more she pulled on the ribbon, the more mangled it became.
Gently brushing her hand aside, Gobert said, “Let me help you with that, my lady.”
“Thank you.” The
tears were still trying to conquer her, and she fisted her hands. Soon the hat was off and she turned her head. “I wish to be alone for a while.”
“I’ll return to dress you for dinner.”
Drat! Augusta did not wish to go to dinner. Perhaps she could instruct her maid to tell Jane she would dine in her room. That, though, would bring her up to Augusta, and her cousin would want to know why she did not wish to come down. Yet how could she face Phinn, knowing she loved him and he did not love her?
Blast it all. She was supposed to be happy when she fell in love. And she was supposed to fall in love with a gentleman who loved her in return.
She paced while Gobert waited patiently for a response. Augusta could not very well avoid him. She was the one who had wanted him to accompany them. Well, blast it all. There was nothing for it. She had to get herself under control.
“Thank you.”
Her maid paused, a heavy frown on her normally placid features. “I hesitate to ask, my lady, but is something amiss?”
This is what everyone would ask if she did not go down to dinner. “Thank you, but I merely have a slight headache. Please help me out of this gown. I shall take a nap.”
“Yes, my lady.” Her maid did not sound convinced. Still Gobert did as she was told, and shortly after Augusta lay down on the bed, the door opened and closed.
If she could not convince her maid, how would she convince Jane and Hector? Not to mention Phinn. Augusta absolutely could not let him know how she felt. It would be humiliating if he found out. Not only that, but he would most likely renew his proposal, and, university aside, she could not marry him when he did not love her in return.
If only she had someone she could confide in. Someone who would understand. Unfortunately, that person was always Phinn. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and began to pace again. No, this time it had to be another woman. The question was, should it be Jane or Prue? As much as they both cared for her, Augusta knew they also wanted her to wed. She had got the feeling from Prue that she and her husband were both young when they married and it was their sense of adventure that brought them together. They had liked each other a great deal and their liking had soon grown into love. If she thought Augusta and Phinn could fall in love, her cousin might be more likely to counsel her to marry him if he would agree to allow her to attend university. Yet, unless Lady Dorchester had a son, he was not likely to allow her to put off having a child. Augusta had read there were ways, but nothing she had found told her what they were.
Jane, on the other hand, had refused to marry for less than love. Surely, she would understand. And she had already given Augusta some good advice. Maybe Jane could tell her what to do. Or perhaps she should simply enjoy her friendship with Phinn and try not to think about her feelings for him. Augusta drew a breath and blew it out. When had life become so complicated?
We are friends, we are friends. We are only friends!
If she repeated it enough, she was certain she would start believing it. And when she began university, she would be so busy she would forget all about him.
Except that Hector and Jane had not forgotten each other and they had been apart for years. Nor had Augusta’s mother forgotten Richard, and she had been married to her father! And apparently, her father had never got over the death of his first wife.
She blew out another puff of air. All that did not bode well for her future. She rarely, if ever, doubted her actions. Yet, she had no experience being in love. That was the answer. She’d do what she always did when approaching a subject about which she had no experience: research it and find a knowledgeable mentor. But not Jane or Prue. They only knew how ladies felt. Hector was the only gentleman Augusta could ask about why a gentleman fell in love. She would do it as soon as she could arrange to talk to him alone.
* * *
Phinn stared at Augusta as she stomped off in anger. What the devil had he said to make her so furious? She hadn’t been at all upset when they had pretended to be betrothed before. What about his jest had distressed her now? They’d never even had cross words for each other before. Well, except for the first time they’d met, when he had severely underestimated her, and the time he’d proposed. But then she had been upset because the plans they each had for their lives were impossible to reconcile. He needed to think about this some more. And he must go after her. He could ruminate on his way back to the hotel. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of young Viscount Celje. Phinn had seen the man several times along the way, but if the viscount was on a Grand Tour, that wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. And, although he stared at Augusta with longing in the same fashion Lord Lancelot had, Celje never approached them.
Sharking off the prickling at the back of his neck, Phinn signaled to the waiter. “Die Rechnung, bitte.”
After settling the bill, he strode down the street. Augusta had been upset in London because everyone and his dog had asked for her hand in marriage, and, due to his circumstances, she had felt betrayed by him. Although to be fair to himself, he’d not known she wished to attend university. She’d gone along with the pretend proposal because she was concerned he would be killed in a duel. Nevertheless, she had made very clear to him they would not wed. Had he made the same joke in France, he was certain she would have thought it humorous. What had changed? Was it that she didn’t think it was funny, being in a situation where gentlemen were bothering her so much that they’d have to playact again? If that was the case, he’d expect her to groan and tell him it wasn’t amusing. No, something had definitely changed. He just wished he knew what it was.
Phinn entered the rooms—a parlor with a separate dining room—he shared with Augusta’s family. Their chambers led to the parlor while his was down the corridor.
Jane, as he’d finally been asked to call her, was reading to Tommy. The instant Phinn entered the room, the little boy ran to him with his arms in the air. “Up.”
He lifted the child high over his head and twirled around. Loud giggles filled the room.
“You are extremely good with him.” Jane’s eyes crinkled when she smiled.
“I enjoy being around him.” Children were so easy to please. He lowered Tommy and lifted him again, before setting him on the floor. “Have you seen Augusta?” After being caught using their first names too many times, they’d given up the pretense. “She left the café before I paid the bill.”
“Her maid told me that she had a headache and was taking a nap.” Jane settled Tommy on the couch again.
“A nap?” He’d never known her to sleep during the day or have a headache. This might be more serious than he thought.
“I thought it was odd as well,” Jane said as Tommy wiggled down and toddled over to some brightly painted wooden blocks. “Did anything happen to upset her?”
“You could say that.” Even if he couldn’t explain what exactly occurred. Phinn sat in one of the heavily padded oak chairs. “I made what I thought was a jest, and she became angry.”
“Really?” Jane appeared as puzzled as he felt. “I do not think I have ever seen her angry at anyone. Frustrated, yes. Exasperated, absolutely, but angry, no.” She drew her brows together. “What on earth did you say?”
“We were talking about Vienna, and I mentioned that Hector would have to meet with the ambassador regarding the letter Prince Esterházy gave her. That led to a discussion of balls she might have to attend.” Feeling like he was getting a headache too, Phinn pinched the bridge of his nose. “I said if the gentlemen started proposing again we could always pretend to be betrothed.” An image of Augusta blinking rapidly just before she left intruded on his thoughts. Had she started to weep? “She looked like a storm cloud and left.”
Jane pressed her lips together, drawing them in as she did. “Did she?” Finished with the blocks, Tommy ran full tilt back to Jane. She lifted him onto her lap. “If it helps, I do not think you said anything untoward.” “That’s comforting. Thank you.” Phinn hadn’t thought he had, but it was nice t
hat he wasn’t the only one.
“I shall look in on her before dinner.” Tommy turned and put his arms around Jane’s neck, laying his head on her shoulder. “He needs his nap. Perhaps it is as she said, merely a sick head.”
“I hope that is the case.” Phinn stood as she rose. He wondered what his children with Augusta would look like. He could almost feel them as soft warm bundles in his arms. “I shall see you at dinner.”
Opening the door, he held it for Jane. If Augusta did tell her cousin what was wrong, would Jane tell him in return?
That evening Augusta entered the parlor looking particularly beautiful in a white gown trimmed with pink. She smiled at everyone, including him, but there was something not quite right about her gaiety. It seemed false somehow. Phinn attempted to talk to her about what happened, but she waved him off.
“I do not know why I became so upset. It must have been the onset of the headache. Truly, there is no need for you to concern yourself about it. I am perfectly fine.”
“I’m glad your nap helped.” He surreptitiously searched her features.
“Yes.” Augusta might be smiling, but the expression seemed pasted onto her face. “Yes, it did.”
Did she think she was fooling him? Sooner or later he’d discover what was going on in that clever head of hers. “I’m glad.” He heard the door to the dining room open. “Here is Baiju to call us in to dinner.” She shivered when he placed her hand on his arm to escort her. “Augusta?”
A slight blush rose in her cheeks. “It is nothing.”
Balderdash. If it was nothing, she wouldn’t be acting like this. Perhaps tomorrow he’d discover what was bothering her.
As dinner was ending, Hector said, “I have received our travel documents to continue our journey. Unless anyone has an objection, I thought we could depart in the morning.”
The news was unfortunate. It meant Phinn could not be alone with Augusta, but it was not unexpected. In fact, today they had finished the list of places and things they wished to see. Everyone glanced at one another and shook their heads.