In the Arms of an Earl (The Duke's Daughters Book 4)(12)

Lady Harmonia smiled softly and, as a tea tray was set before them, Lady Amelia made some excuse about finishing a piece of embroidery and, taking her seat a little further away from them both, set about with her needle and thread.

Phillip could have kissed her. He had longed to spend some more time alone in Lady Harmonia’s company and now her sister was giving them just that, clearly aware of what they required. Lady Harmonia poured the tea and rose to hand her sister a cup, and Phillip could not help but admire her gracefulness as she did so. Her face was lit with a happiness that seemed to add to her loveliness and, deep within him, Phillip felt a yearning unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

“I was very glad to get your note,” Lady Harmonia began, her eyes lifting to his. “It is kind of you to call upon me.”

“I have been looking forward to it all day,” Phillip confessed, making her blush again. “You are a very interesting young lady, and it is my desire to further our acquaintance.”

He had no qualms in being direct with her, thinking it best to make his intentions clear from the very beginning. She did not seem taken aback nor astonished at his words, smiling at him before sipping her tea. Phillip drank his tea also, and, as their conversation began to pick up a little more, he soon found himself lost in conversation, thinking her the most delightful of ladies. He quite forgot about Lady Amelia in the corner and did not once think of the Duke’s persistent questions. All he saw and thought of was Lady Harmonia and her gentle smile and thoughtful answers. They had a lot in common, having a rather spirited discussion as to whether prose or poetry was the better to read.

“Mayhap I should take you to the bookshop to find you some of the best poets,” he suggested, seeing her immediate answering smile. “Should you like that, Lady Harmonia?”

“I would, very much,” she said at once, her delight evident.

“Good,” Phillip replied, bolstered by her quick acceptance. “Then might I also ask if you would be willing to join me at the ball I am to host in a few days’ time?” Plucking the invitation from his pocket, he held it out to her, glancing towards Lady Amelia. “Of course, your sister and father are both invited also.”

“You are very kind,” Lady Harmonia replied, taking it from him and opening it to read what was inside.

He cleared his throat, hoping that she would be just as quick to accept his invitation. “I am aware that there is very little time between this invitation and the ball itself, but you can put that down to the fact that I have not known you for a particularly long time,” he explained, as Lady Amelia got to her feet and came to join them. “It is a masquerade ball, which, I think, will make it a very special occasion.”

Lady Harmonia lifted her eyes to his, her eyes widening. “A masquerade!” she exclaimed, sounding very excited. “How wonderful! I confess I have not yet been to one so far this Season.”

Phillip grinned at her exuberance. “It is sure to be quite wonderful, made even more so if you are able to attend.”

Lady Harmonia looked to accept straight away, only to hesitate and look at her sister. Lady Amelia, however, gave the smallest of nods and, with a bright smile of her own, Lady Harmonia nodded.

“I think we would be very glad to join you,” Lady Amelia said, with a gentle smile in his direction. “My father may not join us, as he is often tired these days, especially in the evenings.”

Phillip understood at once. “But of course. Please ensure that he knows he is welcome regardless.”

“Of course,” came Lady Amelia’s reply.

Recalling the gentleman who had stuck to Lady Harmonia’s side the last few times he had seen her, Phillip paused for a moment, wondering whether he ought to invite him also. He did not particularly wish to have their cousin join them but neither did he want to be rude.

“I do recall,” he began, a little hesitantly, “that there was a gentleman with you previously – your cousin I think.”

“Cousin Luke?” Lady Harmonia said at once, the smile fading from her face. “Yes, he is often with us.”

“I do not wish to be rude,” Phillip continued, with a slight smile, “so might you inform me whether or not I should invite him also? I would be happy to do so if you preferred him to be there with you.”

His heart thumped in his chest as he waited for their reply, seeing the sisters exchange looks. He hoped desperately that Lady Harmonia was not in any way inclined towards the man and given how she had behaved the last time he had been with her, he had assumed she did not care for him in a particular fashion. He just hoped that he had been correct in that.

“You are very kind to think of him and of us, my lord,” Lady Amelia began, throwing a look toward Harmonia. “However, you need not concern yourself with him and his attendance. We are quite happy to come to your ball without him by our side.” Her expression grew somewhat mirthful as Harmonia began to laugh softly, trying to hide her laughter behind her hand. “In truth, Lord Newford, you would be doing us a very great favor were you to leave things as they were.”

Phillip glanced from one sister to the next, unable to stop himself from smiling at Lady Harmonia’s mirth. He was not quite sure what had been going on, but it was quite clear that his suggestion that they invite their cousin had not been a pleasant one.

“Oh dear, I am making quite the fool of myself,” Lady Harmonia murmured, looking away from him. “It is just that – and I will confess to being honest with you, Lord Newford – that my cousin Luke is often by my side and, were he to be at the ball, I can promise you that we would have very little time without him.”