Believe in Me

by Ella Quinn

  “Hmm.” Augusta glanced at Phinn. “I wonder what Hector will make of that?”

  Phinn’s lips twitched as he looked at the Dane. “Once we start traveling in coaches again, we’ll have to make some adjustments.” He sat next to her and gave the coachman the office to start. “I thought we could take a tour of the city. Then if there is a place we wish to visit, we may do so.”

  “I like that idea.” They crossed the bridge leading to the inner city and through the gate. She gazed out at the buildings that appeared much larger than in other cities. “Have Jane and Hector decided how long we will remain here?”

  “There is a concert at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in five days. We’ll leave the day after.”

  After crossing the bridge into the city, they saw two large parks and circled the palace and then the cathedral before heading back in the direction of the gate and the bridge leading back to the hotel. The driver turned down a side street.

  “Where are we going?”

  Phinn grinned as if he was hiding something. “Trust me. I have a surprise for you.”

  She wondered what he could have found in so short a time. Then again, Herr Riegert seemed to know everything there was to know about Vienna. The small street led to a larger boulevard, where they stopped at a town house set in front of a park.

  Phinn ushered her to the door as Durant plied the knocker, then handed a card to a butler dressed in black.

  “Please enter.” The servant bowed. “Madame is expecting you.”

  The hall was square with a curved staircase rising from one end of it. The lower part of the walls were paneled in dark wood and the upper portions papered in white flowered silk. A prosperous but not aristocratic house. They were led to a parlor in the back of the house and Augusta immediately saw what Phinn wanted to show her. Several Chartreux cats ranging in size from adults to three kittens lounged on tall towers built especially for them.

  An elegant blond woman only a few years older than Augusta entered the room. “I am Frau Schmid.” She spoke in French-accented German. “I understand you have come from Herr Riegert.”

  “Yes, we have,” Augusta answered in the same language. “I am Lady Augusta Vivers, and this is my friend Lord Phineas Carter-Woods.” She and Phinn inclined their heads, as Frau Schmid curtseyed.

  “Please have a seat.” Frau Schmid indicated a sofa. “Do you drink coffee or would you prefer tea?”

  “Coffee, please.” Augusta perched on the sofa. The other lady sat, allowing Phinn to take a place next to her.

  Once her gaze was drawn from the cats, Augusta could see the tall windows lining two walls. Outside a brick wall at least ten feet high enclosed the garden. One of the cats jumped down and went through a small flap built into a French window. Why had none of her family thought of that? She’d have to write Louisa about it.

  “That is quite clever, yes?” Frau Schmid said. “It was my housekeeper’s idea.” The coffee came and she poured. Once everyone had a sip, she continued, “I am told you know the Chartreux.”

  “I do. My sisters have them.” One of the kittens jumped down onto the back of the sofa and began walking along it. Phinn grabbed Augusta’s cup as the cat came to inspect her. A deep rumble emitted from the small animal. Removing one glove, she began to stroke the kitten. “He is a handsome boy.”

  “Yes.” Frau Schmid smiled indulgently at the cat. “That is Etienne.” The cat settled on Augusta’s lap. “I believe he has chosen you.”

  “I had thought a female . . .” Yet they brought their own set of problems. Charlotte and Louisa had to watch their girls closely during certain times of the year.

  “Do you want to hold another of the kittens?” Phinn asked.

  Etienne bumped his head against her arm and gazed up at her. “No. I think I have found the one for me.” Then she thought of Dotty’s, or rather Merton’s, cat. “I hope he does not choose someone else.”

  Frau Schmid’s light laughter filled the room. “You do know the Chartreux. Etienne has not gone to anyone else.”

  “That settles it then.” Phinn reached over and stroked the cat, who took it as his due, but did not move. “One boy and one girl.”

  She raised a brow. “You already have a cat?”

  “No.” Augusta grinned. “A Great Dane. I believe you call them a German mastiff.”

  “From what I’ve seen”—he abandoned stroking the cat—“they get on quite well with dogs.”

  “That is true.” Frau Schmid rose. “I have a harness for him. You will have to change it when he grows larger.” She went to a bureau, opened a drawer, and took out a red silk harness. “It will be easier for you to take him around with this. He is already used to it.”

  The cat stood still as Phinn held it up to see just how it went on. Fortunately, the harness was relatively straightforward. A lead was sewn on. A calm had come over Augusta that he hadn’t seen before. Having animals was good for her. “May I ask how you happened to have the cats?”

  “My grandmother was the first to have them. Her first one was given to her by Madame Pinceloup de la Grange. That was a female. Then she found a male and they had babies.” She shrugged. “It went on from there.”

  “Thank you so much.” Augusta looked at him as he picked up the glove she’d cast aside for the kitten.

  He bowed to Frau Schmid. “Thank you.”

  “It is I who should thank you.” She smiled. “My husband has said I may keep no more of the babies.”

  She walked them to the front door, and they said farewell.

  Now to get the cat in the carriage with the dog. He hoped Minerva was as gentle with Etienne as she had been with Tommy. Augusta held the kitten with one hand as he helped her into the coach. Minerva turned her attention from the door to the cat. They went nose to nose for a moment, before Minerva lay back down on the bench, and Etienne resumed his place in Augusta’s lap. So far, everything appeared as if it would work out well.

  Durant gave Phinn a dubious look. “Am I taking the cat and the dog for walks?”

  “It should not be a problem,” Augusta answered. “We have been told he knows how to walk on a lead.”

  “If you say so, my lady.”

  Once the carriage had started forward, Phinn leaned over to Augusta. “You might want to have a word with your cousin about raising Durant’s wages.”

  She glanced at Phinn, and they were so close only two inches separated their lips. Without his conscious consent, his gaze dropped to her mouth and her breath hitched. This was the reaction he wanted from her, but not in a blasted open coach!

  When Durant cleared his throat, Phinn hastily straightened, tugging at his cravat. He must have tied the damned thing too tight this morning.

  “How are you going to take care of Etienne at night?” Hopefully the question would give them both a chance to regain their countenances.

  “They can be trained to use a chamber pot.” She continued stroking the kitten. “There is a special lid. I’ll draw a picture of it. Perhaps Herr Riegert knows a carpenter.”

  “I’m sure he will.” Phinn’s voice was tighter than he’d meant it to be.

  First he’d been jealous of the dog; now he wanted to take the cat’s place. There had to be some way to bring her around. If he weren’t a trusted member of her family’s party, he could try to seduce her. But Addison would have no problem sending Phinn on his way.

  “Do you think Hector will mind that I now have a cat as well?” A worried look had settled on her face. “He did not seem to yesterday.”

  “I’ve no reason to think he will be upset.” Phinn had made sure of the fact before he took Augusta to get the cat. Actually, the man had just given him a knowing look. “I’d be more concerned about the couple in Padua.”

  A stricken look entered her clear, lapis eyes. “Perhaps I should make other arrangements. It was my mother who insisted, but did not think I could find a sponsor.”

  He had no doubt Lady Wolverton was attempting to keep Augus
ta in England by throwing stones in her path. So far, that hadn’t worked well for her ladyship. Still, there was reason to be concerned. Without a sponsor, Augusta would be much more vulnerable, but if she attended as a married lady, he’d be there to protect her.

  The coach pulled up in front of the hotel. As for now, he had to give the landlord the fee they had agreed upon, and ask the man to find him a carpenter. A couple with their heads together strolled toward them. Boman and Prue. What was going on there? Or was Phinn seeing romance because he wanted Augusta?

  Durant opened the door, and Phinn jumped down.

  When Augusta stood, Prue hurried up to the carriage. “You got your kitten! How happy I am for you!”

  His secretary glanced at him, an amused twinkle in his eyes.

  “I did.” Augusta’s smile was everything he’d hoped to see. “Phinn took me there.” Once she reached the street she held up the cat. “His name is Etienne. He and Minerva already get along.”

  Phinn held his hand out to the dog, and she jumped out of the coach. He placed Augusta’s hand on his arm before taking the dog’s lead. “Shall we continue this on the terrace?”

  “My lady.” Durant bowed. “If you give me the cat, I’ll take him for a short constitutional.”

  For a moment, she looked as if she didn’t want to give the kitten up. “That is probably for the best.”

  Once they took their places at the table on the terrace, Prue said, “Do you have any idea if the family in Padua expects me to arrive with you?”

  “I do not.” Augusta rubbed her forehead. “I have been thinking about the animals as well. I know they will not expect them. I believe it will be better if we find rooms of our own.”

  She could not, even with her cousin, set up her own household. Phinn wanted to rake his fingers through his hair. But that wasn’t something a man did in public. If she weren’t so set on attending university, she’d realize it as well. If word ever got back to her family . . . Somehow, between here and Venice, he’d find a way to persuade Augusta to marry him.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Jane, Hector, and Tommy joined them, ending the conversation Augusta was going to have with Prue. Neither Jane nor Hector would approve of Augusta having rooms or a house of her own, even with her cousin as a companion.

  Phinn had stared at her as if she had lost her mind. Naturally, it would not have done in England, but there was no reason anyone there had to know. She glared at him. His problem with her plans was his problem, not hers. If he loved her he might be able to help in some way. Then again, no. The only thing he could possibly do to assist her would be for them to wed, and she was not getting married. Not yet. Not when he had promised his brother he would try to get an heir, and not when he did not love her.

  Etienne had returned and immediately jumped onto her lap. He tapped her arm, reminding her to continue to stroke him. Soon his deep purring calmed her again. Augusta had always liked being with her sisters’ cats, but having one’s own cat was much better. She didn’t have to worry about what he wanted. She slid a sidelong look at Phinn. Unlike other males she knew.

  One of the servants brought champagne. What were they celebrating? Drat! Had she missed something?

  “So”—Jane held up a thick card—“as you see, we are fortunate to have been invited. At least I think so.” She glanced at Augusta.

  Apparently she was supposed to say something other than I am so sorry I was not paying attention.

  “It’s an invitation to the last royal ball before the court moves to the summer castle,” Phinn whispered.

  Oh. “Oh!” No wonder her cousin was waiting for her to reply. She wanted to refuse to attend. These entertainments never turned out well for her. Still, Jane obviously wished to go. And, in Augusta’s experience, being surly never achieved what one wanted to achieve. Instead, she smiled politely. “Yes, of course we should attend.”

  “I am so happy you agree.” Jane’s smile was kind and warm. “More to your liking, I’m sure, is an invitation to a salon given by Frau Pichler. From the description, I believe it will be much like Lady Thornhill’s salons.”

  “That does sound like fun.” At least there was one event Augusta was sure to enjoy. “When are the ball and salon taking place?”

  “The salon is tomorrow afternoon, and the ball is the following evening. The night after that is a concert.” Jane took a sip of champagne. “The next day we shall return to the boat and sail to Budapest.”

  “That sounds like an excellent plan.” Augusta took a drink of her champagne. How had all this come about?

  “Stewart,” Phinn said as if he could read her mind. They had become so close, perhaps he could. “He wants to ensure we enjoy Vienna to the fullest.”

  Sometimes helpful people were anything but. “How kind of him.”

  The corners of Phinn’s lips twitched.

  What would they feel like on hers? For a second today she’d thought she would find out.

  “Wasn’t it?” he said. She thought he would burst out laughing. “Look at it this way, it’s only one concert and one ball. There won’t be time for anything untoward to occur.”

  “You’re right. We went to three balls in Munich and no one bothered me.” Of course, her family and Phinn had kept her by their sides the whole time. Even Boman danced with her. She was probably apprehensive about nothing. They would do the same thing at this ball. “And we will enjoy the salon.”

  “As long as you are not importuned by some bounder pretending to be a painter.” Phinn’s tone was a low growl, as if he was already thinking of ways to rid her of such a man.

  “I will remind you that I took care of that situation myself without any assistance.” Augusta needed to remind him that she was not helpless in all social situations. Merely the ones where she forgot to attend to what was going on.

  “You did, and quite effectively.” This time when he smiled, her eyes met his molten-silver ones.

  She wished he would stop looking at her like that. It made her wish he cared more than he did. She took a gulp of the wine, and the waiter refilled her glass. Minerva settled in next to Phinn. Perhaps Augusta was not going to have a Great Dane after all. She gave herself a shake. Grace always said things work out the way they were meant to. This would as well.

  “I see you found a cat,” Hector said, holding Tommy back from inspecting the new addition.

  “I did.” She could not help but give credit to Phinn as she told the story. “I was amazed that Etienne came straight to me.”

  Jane tilted her head a bit. “The same thing happened with Charlotte, Louisa, and Merton. The cats picked the person they wished to be with.” Jane laughed. “In Merton’s case, he did not want the cat at all, but Cyrille was determined he was Merton’s cat and nothing could convince him otherwise.”

  Augusta laughed as well. “He still rides in the carriage with Merton.”

  If only humans were so sure of their feelings, how much easier love and life would be.

  Phinn stroked Minerva’s massive head as she leaned against his pantaloons, and he wondered if his valet would complain about the hair. If only Augusta was as easy to please. Had humans ever been like the cat? Selecting a mate by sheer instinct? If so, that certainty had been almost destroyed by society and expectations. And desires. He could not forget that. The desire to go his own way had almost blinded him to meeting Augusta and seeing what could be between them. Her desire to attend university was stopping her from understanding they were stronger together than apart. The problem was he didn’t know how to counter her doubts. Except to declare himself again. Yet that was too big of a risk to take. If he was asked to leave the group, he could no longer spend time with her.

  First, he had to get through the next few days.

  * * *

  Phinn and Augusta agreed to start early the next morning. Once again, he arranged for the landau. After hearing the story of Merton’s cat, Phinn was not surprised to find Etienne had insisted on joining them. Nat
urally, Minerva would not be left behind. She most likely thought she’d been abandoned for too long as it was.

  They visited the cathedral, which did not allow animals, and a park that did.

  Bordering one side of the park was a restaurant set up in the French style with tables outside. “It is almost one o’clock. Shall we have luncheon?”

  “Yes, let’s. I enjoy the terrace at the hotel, but this is the first city we’ve visited where we have only dined at our hotel.”

  “It’s the streets.” Phinn had kept watch for the crazy driver who almost hit Augusta, but hadn’t seen him again. “We do not have the trick of avoiding carriages the way the Viennese do, and Addison is concerned one of us will be injured.”

  “The streets are dangerous to non-natives.” She wrinkled her nose. “The parks are nice.”

  “As is this restaurant.” The waiter came over and greeted them. “What do you suggest for today?”

  “We specialize in Wiener backhendl, a fried chicken cutlet, or a Wiener schnitzel. It is prepared in the same way but is made of veal.”

  “If you take the chicken, I shall have the veal and we can share,” Augusta suggested.

  “Very well.” He glanced at the waiter. “We would like a green salad as well.” He turned to Augusta. “Do you want pommes frites?”

  Grinning, she nodded.

  “Yes, we’ll have the pommes frites as well.”

  Phinn ordered a dry white wine to go with their meal. “I think the potatoes must be a French import.”

  “That’s not surprising.” Augusta sipped her wine. “The idea of a salon is French as well. There were some famous ones during the Congress of Vienna.”

  “Now that you mention it, there is a definite French atmosphere in Vienna.” Even some of the buildings reminded him of France.

  “It is very different from Munich, which is very German.” A basket of crusty white bread was placed on the table. Also more French than German.

  * * *

  They arrived at the hotel with just enough time to dress for the salon.

  Frau Pichler, a well-known author, lived in an elegant apartment not far from Hofburg Palace. As at Lady Thornhill’s salons, the rooms were filled with artists, writers, aristocrats, and hangers-on. There was one large terrace, visible from both drawing rooms. Phinn’s tension eased. Augusta would be safe here. She gravitated to a group of ladies discussing literature, and he was drawn into a conversation about architecture. One of the men, Joseph Kornhäusel, had some fascinating ideas concerning the contemporary style of neoclassical architecture.