Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(90)
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Phin and Silas stood at the bottom of the stairs in all black evening clothes, save for their snow-white shirts and cravats, watching Mercy approach. She was wearing a light blue water silk gown with white pearls sewn in around the neckline and sleeves. Her white gloves went over her elbows, and her fan was white. While in India, Phin had sent her a comb with a line of pearls placed at the top. She wore that in her hair. Phin turned to Silas, “She really is rather beautiful. I think we need to keep a close eye on her.”
Silas laughed and leaned into Phin, “Don’t go overprotective on her. You sound like Father.”
Phin bristled. He stood up straight and gnashed his teeth. His eyes stared straight ahead watching Mercy’s descent. In a low voice meant only for Silas, Phin said, “Don’t you ever again compare me to Father. Ever. Again. Do you understand?”
Silas stiffened and turned to him, “No, Phin, I don’t understand. Do you care to enlighten me?”
Silas knew there had been something between Father and Phin, but he could never get anywhere close to finding out. And he wouldn’t. Phin had made a vow.
No, Silas I do not care to enlighten you, Phin thought. How could he tell him and Mercy about their father?
“Hello, gentlemen. Are you waiting for me?”
Phin bowed then took Mercy’s hands and kissed her gloved knuckles. “You look lovely tonight, Mercy. Silas and I have our work cut out for us.” He turned and looked at Silas.
“Yes, we do. Mercy, take pity on us.” Silas’ smile was tight. He turned and let Foster hand him his top hat and cane.
No sooner had the Duke and his family been announced upon entering the ballroom than Mercy scanned the place and spotted her friends. With a silent plea, she asked Phin to let her go. A nod was all she needed.
Silas mumbled something about getting a drink, so Phin ended up alone. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he scanned the ballroom. Young ladies and their chaperones were in clumps scattered around the huge ballroom perimeter. Phin estimated the ballroom could easily hold one hundred people and still have plenty of floor space to dance. Even so, it looked as though Lady Harrington sent too many invitations.
The ballroom was down three steps from the entry hall. From his vantage point, Phin could see everyone below. He started looking at the young ladies, deciding which ones he wanted to ask to dance.
Scanning the room, Phin quickly determined two things. Pink was the colour of choice in gowns this evening, and Charlotte was the most beautiful woman in the room. Actually, he thought of a third thing. He did not want to do this. Get me out of here, he thought. Not yet. Not yet.
First, he had to be introduced to fifty girls and take away those who were more interested in his title than him. Then he had to weed out those who did not have a serene personality, then he had to call on and court the finalists. He wanted to do none of this. Two marriages needed to be arranged. Mercy’s would be a happy one. His, if not happy, at least expeditious.
Phin felt the slap on his back before he saw Everett. Everett draped his arm over Phin’s shoulder and pulled him in. Phin lost his footing but regained it before the entire ballroom saw a Duke prone on the floor.
“You have any idea how happy I am to see you?” Phin said.
“Yes, actually I do. We’re making a pact right here, right now. Everywhere Mercy and Josie go, we go as a team.” Everett leaned in for emphasis, “Do you have any idea how miserable I’ve been putting up with this without you?”
“Ev, I was here alone for five minutes and wanted to leave. To make matters worse, I’ve got to find myself a wife,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“About that,” Everett winced. “Listen, Phin. I want to talk to you about this plan of yours . . .”
Phin put his chin down and bore into Everett’s eyes. “Stop right there, Everett. Silas has already told me he doesn’t like my plan. I don’t need to hear it again.”
“Here’s the thing,” Everett said slowly and softly to get Phin’s undivided attention, “we both think your plan is no good. We are both closer to you than anyone else in the world – even though you have been gone all these years – and we think your plan is lousy. If you can’t listen to Silas and me, who are you going to listen to?”
“I can listen to myself. I know me.” Phin softened. “Ev, thanks, really. I appreciate your concern. But in India, I realized I needed a quiet girl. I need a few hours of quiet every day to keep my sanity. You know that. I had a great arrangement with Anusha, and it taught me that was the perfect option for me. I know exactly what I want.”
“Okay. I read all your letters, multiple times. Your arrangement sounded wonderful. I get it. I don’t have to like it, but I get it. Looking back over the years, I remember you were always the one sneaking away from the chaos. I’m sceptical you will find someone like Anusha in England. Surely, you see the cultural differences would be difficult to breach.” Everett decided to put the wife discussion on hold for now. “On another subject, what you did for Mercy was …”
Phin whipped his head to face Everett. He growled through clenched teeth. “No one can know what I did for Mercy. No one. You’re clear on that, right?”
Everett put his hands up, palms facing Phin to calm him down. “Can I finish my sentence before you jump all over me?” Phin looked sheepish and nodded. “All the things you wanted to make right have been made right. Sit back and relax for a little while. I want to spend some time with you before you head to Collinswood.”