She didn’t want to risk it so she kept her fingers in place. It only took a gentle clasp around her wrist, and a slight tug, to pull them away.
“Mina—”
“Don’t say anything.”
He grinned at her with an odd look in his eyes. “I have to say something.”
“Please, Henry. Can we just talk tomorrow instead?”
One of his brows drooped in disappointment while the other rose in curiosity.
“Please, Henry.”
“All right. Let’s talk tomorrow. But, if you think I can nonchalantly return to the party after this, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Fine. I don’t think I could go back either. Off to bed with us, then.” Realizing what she had just said, she felt a hard, fast blush rush into her cheeks.
“Really?” Henry’s smile pulled on her heart. But she roped it back in.
Was he amused again?
“You know what I mean.”
“Let’s get up then.”
He stood and helped her to her feet. He crushed her into a swift embrace, kissed her temple, and said, “Tomorrow.”
***
TOMORROW, BEING TODAY, LUCK was squabbling with fate. And fate was winning. It was just not meant to be for Philomena to find a moment alone with Henry. But maybe that was luck after all.
Gertrude, the dowager duchess, had prearranged moments for Henry to visit with each of the three eligible ladies, including Paulina— an event which included Philomena. It wasn’t proper for the couples to be entirely alone, so Gertrude determined that Philomena would tag along as a chaperone.
A chaperone to her sister on an outing with the man she loved. Fate or luck? It was yet to be decided, she supposed.
“It’s too bad our friend Juliet couldn’t make this party.” Paulina was making small talk, and Philomena just realized she hadn’t been listening.
“Juliet? The one we found hiding behind a ficus that one time?”
“Yes, that’s the one. She’s so lovely.”
“Perhaps that’s why she wasn’t invited. Too much competition?”
“I wouldn’t call hiding behind plants competition.” Paulina chuckled. “But you’re probably right. We might have gotten carried away trying to matchmake someone with her. I’m sure she’ll find someone soon. Just like you.”
“Like me?”
Paulina motioned to be quiet. “What excuse should I make up?” Paulina leaned in and whispered into Philomena’s ear as they approached the spot they expected to find Henry in the gardens.
“What are you talking about?” Philomena hissed back.
Paulina nudged her in the ribs. “So you and Henry can be alone.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Of course she knew. Although they were sisters first, they were also friends. They had discussed Philomena’s obsession—infatuation, nay, interest—with Henry at least a few times over the years. If not a few times in a single day over several years.
“Mina, are you really going to act like that? Or are you going to tell me what happened?”
“N-nothing happened.” She stumbled over her words and a tree root at the same time.
