Phoebe blinked at him. “I thought you had departed with the rest of the guests.”
“I did, but Evan summoned me here for the afternoon’s revels. I believe we are to go riding while you ladies venture into town,” he said, approaching her with an odd look on his face. An expression of concern. “And then, there is the small gathering tomorrow night. It would not be very sensible of me to journey back and forth.”
Phoebe cleared her throat, wondering if she looked as wretched as she felt. “What gathering?”
“The Dowager Countess demanded it. I do not know the cause, only that there is to be entertainment,” Jacob replied, that expression of concern still fixed on his face. “I am sorry, Miss Wilson, but I must ask again. Are you well? You seem… upset.”
Phoebe straightened up. “I got something in my eye, that is all. It is no concern of yours.”
“Miss Wilson, please, I mean no harm, I mean no trouble,” he urged. “I realize that you and I had a less than pleasant first exchange, and for that, I must apologize. I had received some difficult news, I had imbibed too much, and… I was rude and uncouth.”
Phoebe frowned. “What news?”
“My beloved dog died,” Jacob replied, dropping his chin to his chest. “I had her for almost twenty years, have never known life without her, and… I could not be there for her last moments. I had to hear of it by letter. It left me bereft. I am still bereft, in truth, but that does not excuse my behavior that night.”
Phoebe raised an eyebrow, not knowing whether to trust this man. Yet, she heard no deceit in his voice, and he seemed chastened. It still would not make him a suitable prospect for Ellen, and she had no intention of allowing him to gain her approval, but at least he had the manners to apologize, unlike some people she could think of.
“Well, I am very sorry to hear that,” Phoebe said. “I have a great fondness for animals. And… I thank you for your apology. It is well received.”
Jacob lifted his head and smiled awkwardly. “I must also apologize for speaking to your sister without your permission. As I mentioned, though I must reiterate that I do not consider it an excuse, I was not in my right mind. I promise, it shall not happen again.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Phoebe said.
Jacob swept a hand through his fair hair. “Then I shall return to my strawberry tart, and, from there, I expect we shall set out on this riding excursion soon.” He bowed to her most reverently, though she did not curtsey back. “And, Miss Wilson?”
“Hmm?”
“Whoever has upset you, ignore them,” he said softly. “Any gentleman who causes you to cry is not worthy of you, nor is any friend who would hurt you so.”
Phoebe’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I am not upset. I have something in my eye.”
“Ah, yes, you mentioned that. In that case, ignoreme,for what do I know?” he said with a pointed look, before turning on his heel and heading out of the kitchen door, taking the rest of his strawberry tart with him.
The servants in the kitchens did their best not to stare at her, but she could feel their curiosity and hear their stifled laughter. Deciding to save what dignity she had left, she hurried out of the interior door, stepping back out into the hallway she had just escaped.
How a labyrinth of corridors had led her straight back to where she had started was beyond her, but, with any luck, Daniel had retreated back into his mother’s parlor and would not notice her walking by.
She tilted her chin up, squared her shoulders, and urged her feet to carry her down the hallway. Only when she had passed the parlor door and could almost see the entrance hall and the freedom of the front door did she allow herself to breathe.
“Miss Wilson?” Daniel’s unmistakable voice called from behind her. “Miss Wilson, might I have a word with you?”
Cowardly though it was, she pressed on as if she had not heard him and did not stop until she was out the front door and through the first gate that led into the gardens.
You think we would be a horrible match?Well, how fortuitous for us both that we shall never find out!
Even before overhearing him, she had made up her mind, but his unkind words had bolstered her decision. The stubborn merchant, the unyielding gatekeeper, was going to stand aside.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
“Remind me, Mother, in what world isthisa small gathering?” Daniel sipped his drink with a vengeance as he gazed upon the packed ballroom, where almost all of the guests who had departed a week ago had returned for a second night of merriment.
Amelia waved a dismissive hand. “I did not want anyone to feel affronted that they were not invited, and there are so few parties and balls to attend until the summer season begins.”
“So, you just summoned everyone back for what is, in truth, another ball?”
His mother sighed. “I had forgotten how much I relish having a full manor. Do not ruin it for me, darling. Enjoy yourself.” She raised her glass to him. “Indeed, this is all for you. There is nothing so excellent for building a reputation as holding a ball.”
“My reputation is excellent already, and there is something rather gauche about holding too many balls in a short span of time,” he replied, chuckling as she scowled back at him.
