Thenhe would throttle his friend.
Chapter Six
The next morning,Phaedra entered the breakfast room with a skip in her step. For the first time in her life, she hadn’t risen in time for breakfast but remained in bed two hours later. Not to sleep, but to reminisce.
Phaedra loved dancing. And last night... well, she had never had so much fun dancing as last night. Partly because of Deerhurst and partly because one of those dances was the Waltz. But mostly because of the curiosity that rippled through the ballroom.
After dressing in a simple day gown of soft pink, she hurried down the steps to the breakfast room, listening carefully for the tell-tale hum that signaled the receiving room was stocked with dowry-sniffers.
Nothing.
Not one laugh.
Not one voice.
Not one rap at the door.
Last night had been a smashing success. So what if the evening had started off poorly, what with the pack of wolves and the main beast, Lord Cromby, cornering her?
Deerhurst had rescued her.
Phaedra refused to entertain the thought of what would have happened if he hadn’t run Cromby off. But that was neither here nor there since the night had ended in dancing and laughter.
And if the silence was anything to go by, Deerhurst had done more than save her—he’d ensured her much desired reprieve. And Phaedra would delight in every moment of peace.
Only one question remained. How could she ever repay him?
With a kiss? A slight peck on the cheek, perhaps? And why not? She could be just as daring and mischievous as the earl. There was no denying that she longed for another one of his kisses. Surely a kiss or two could do no harm. She’d never met a man she wanted to spend her time with, not to mention share intimate embraces with. Quite frankly, her curiosity about Deerhurst still surprised her.
Phaedra slowed to a halt when she spotted her mother and aunt in the parlor, pulling on their gloves.
“Phaedra, there you are dear,” the countess said. “Your aunt and I have sent for the carriage. We are off shopping.”
“This time of the day?”Without her?
“Well, I figured the earl would be calling soon. I have instructed Hammington to show all other callers away.”
That explained the empty drawing room.
“Do not look so surprised, my dear. You went on a carriage ride with him, and you danced two dances in a row. Really, Phaedra, I asked if the earl had shown interest and you denied it to my face.”
Phaedra pursed her lips at the reprimand in her mother’s tone. A pinch of guilt flashed in her heart. She had decided not to tell her mother or aunt about the fake courtship simply because it did no harm. Many courtships began and ended with the drop of a hat. It certainly wasn’t like this was a scandalous affair.
“I did not want to get ahead of myself,” Phaedra said after a short pause. “Besides, I’m not sure if the earl and I even suit.”
“Oh, pish. The earl is an accomplished man, and you are an accomplished lady. You suit just fine.”
“It’s a bit more complicated than us both being accomplished people, Mama, as you well know.”
“I agree with Phaedra,” Portia said. “There is more to consider than simple compatibility when it comes to choosing a life partner.”
“Exactly.”
“Just be careful dear,” her mother said. “Apparently there are wagers going about town surrounding dowries and marriage, or so your father informed me.”
“Excuse me?” Phaedra all but spluttered. “Is that why our drawing room suddenly filled overnight?” And why Cromby had made his sour presence known?
“It appears so,” the countess said. “I am not clear on all the details.”
