“Oh, but enough about our complaints, what was it that you wanted to talk about, Meredith?”
“Right. What I am about to say must never, do you hear?Neverbe repeated outside of the four walls of this bedroom. Not even to Jenny.”
Philippa gasped and began tapping her foot in anticipation.
“Oh, don’t say things like that, Meredith! You’re making it sound so serious.”
Meredith pressed her lips into a thin line.
“On the one hand, yes, it is quite serious, indeed. But it is simultaneously also the most wonderful thing. Yes, it is a delightful thing; but also, extremely dangerous. Do you understand, Philippa? There is danger tied up with it. So please,pleaseswear to me that this will stay between us.”
With a twinkle in her eye, Philippa simply answered, “You have my word!”
* * *
Anthony felt the color drain from his face, “I beg your pardon? Did you just say that— But how?”
Fletcher wrung his hands together.
“Mrs. Oakley chanced to overhear your conversation with Lord Gillinghamshire, Your Grace. But please be assured that she came straight to me with regards to it.”
“As you yourself know, Mrs. Oakley is the most discreet woman on the face of the earth. Together, we kept your secret.”
Anthony felt the need to stand up and start pacing yet again in order to sufficiently digest these details.
“So you have known since then. Why didn’t you mention it to me?”
“Because we all got caught up with the preparations for the dinner party, Your Grace. What is more, Mrs. Oakley and I were unsure how to go about tackling this matter.”
“All we knew was that we somehow needed to either prevent Miss Meyer from spending too much time in your company, or find a way to redirect your focus away from such folly.”
Anthony began to feel his temper rising within him, but he restrained himself. The last thing he needed was to have a childish outburst. It would only serve to prove Fletcher’s point that he was being irrational.
His words came out unexpectedly cold.
“I see. So you agree with Colin’s sentiments then? That I should bundle my feelings up and toss them away?”
Fletcher nodded fervently.
“Your Grace, Lord Gillinghamshire spoke words that were particularly wise beyond his years on that day. I implore you, Your Grace, heed his wise counsel. Think of all the horrid things that could befall you, this family, this household.”
Anthony agitatedly ran his fingers through his hair.
“Yes, yes. Colin already explained in great detail all of the bad consequences. I do not need to hear it a second time.”
“Frankly, however, I do not see those, as you described them, horrid things, as clear grounds for the dismissal of my feelings.”
Fletcher slowly rose from his chair.
“Your Grace! I beg your pardon, but you cannot possibly be serious. Do you mean to say that you have no issue with rendering your family societal outcasts?”
Anthony stood his ground.
“Indeed, Fletcher! I daresay the sensation of being an outcast will not be new to me. I have always felt like a stranger amongst my so-called peers. If anything, I would be most glad to see the back of them.”
It was clear that both men were struggling to restrain themselves at this point. Fletcher rubbed his temples.
“Your Grace, I beg of you, please reconsider your decision. You may very well be prepared to face the rejection.But have you considered the potentially detrimental effects of your actions on Lady Cecilia’s future marriage prospects?”
