Chapter 19
“This is ridiculous,” grumbled Thea, her arms folded across her chest as she stared out at the village green, which looked precisely the same as all the other festivities they’d had of late. It was as though the world were trapped in a repetitive cycle of bunting, games, and food.
Long tables groaned beneath the weight of bread and pies, the cider and ale gleaming amber in the light, and garlands of wildflowers looped between poles (their petals already beginning to wilt) while children darted through the crowds with wreaths sitting askew upon their heads, their cries blasting through the air like the sharp peals of church bells, as though this were the very first of such festivities to grace their village.
The scent of crushed grass mingled with roasting meat and the faint sweetness of mead, carried on a soft summer breeze that stirred the flags and skirts alike.
The men were loud with cheer, their voices booming over the music, while the women clustered in groups, trading gossip as though it were currency.
It was much the same as every village festivity before it. The only difference was that the weather had finally decided to afford them proper English clouds rather than the golden light and brilliant sapphire sky that had plagued them of late.
“You were correct, Mina. We have far too many of these celebrations—”
Her cousin straightened, sending her a quizzical glance. “I do not believe I said that.”
Thea motioned toward the revelers. “The Spring Market, May Day, the Feast Day, and then the Solstice?” Lips curling at that final word, she added, “And only our silly village and pretentious baronet insist on calling it such. It is Midsummer throughout the country, but dear Sir Thomas insists that using the Latin name is far more elegant, and everyone is so eager to please the fellow. What nonsense!”
Forcing her hand into the crook of her cousin’s arm (though Thea made it difficult to do so), Mina gave her a sympathetic smile, and without a word of objection, she allowed Thea to rant and rave, pouring all that vitriol upon this undeserving head.
“I apologize,” said Thea with a sigh.
“No need. A friend’s primary duty is to be a listening ear, and after the past few weeks, you have every reason to ‘vent your spleen,’ as my brothers are so fond of saying.”
Thea squeezed her arm. “My troubles are no excuse to sharpen my tongue on you. But I am so very tired of waiting! I have tried to be patient—I have—but I do not know how much longer I can allow him to wallow in his misery before I force the issue. Frederick cannot ignore me like this!”
With a gentle hush, Mina reminded her that they weren’t in private, and Thea drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm. This wasn’t the first time they had discussed this issue, and there was no good to be had in retreading old steps. Yet Thea was reaching the limits of her forbearance.
“This is so vexing!” said Thea through gritted teeth. “How are we to sort this out if I am not allowed to call on him, and he refuses to venture out into public? And Phoebe is being so mum about the business. It isn’t like her to give me the cold shoulder.”
Mina gave a reassuring squeeze of the arm, which prodded Thea to take another breath.
“We know men are foolish and that they avoid sharing their troubles,” said her friend, speaking the words that had been repeated more often than Thea’s prayers. “You love your Mr. Voss, and he loves you. There is no doubt on that score.”
“Not one. We will see this through,” said Thea, forcing herself to straighten.
“Yes, you will,” said Mina with a decisive nod.
Glancing out at the gathering, Thea allowed herself a huffy chuckle. “This truly looks like all the rest of our festivals, doesn’t it?”
“How many other ways are there to mark these occasions? Besides, after such a long winter, it is lovely to be out of doors, among the merriment,” said Mina, a bright smile gracing her lips.
“It is,” said Thea. “I wonder if Phoebe will attend.”
“Your Mr. Voss may have vanished, but she seems to attend every public event,” said Mina, glancing out at the gathering with a slight frown. “I must say she isn’t what I imagined when you described her in your letters.”
There was a tightness to her tone that echoed through Thea. “Things have been a bit strained with the Vosses of late. That is all. Phoebe is a bit out of sorts.”
Mina nodded, though there was a brittleness to the expression that bespoke of one giving the expected response.
“Believe you me, Phoebe and you are bound to be the best of friends,” said Thea, the words slipping free before she thought the better of it. “You two are both such dears that it is inevitable. She told me how that blue gown you wore on your first Sunday complements your complexion and figure.”
“My figure?” asked Mina with raised brows.
Thea paused, trying to ascertain what it was about that statement that was so offensive. There was a hint of something in Mina’s expression; for all that it was usually so easy to read, Thea couldn’t discern precisely what it was.
“Phoebe thought the dress looked lovely.”
“No,” replied Mina, “she said it improved my figure.”
Thea’s brows raised. “She didn’t mean it as a criticism.”
“Yet she takes great pleasure in teasing and twitting others.”
Waving that away, Thea shook her head. “The Vosses enjoy a jest, but she would never be openly rude or cruel.”
“I doubt Mr. Godwin would agree,” said Mina, her expression growing tight around the eyes and lips.
“She is a tad harsh with him, but only because he’s a pest,” said Thea.
“And you do not believe Miss Voss views an interloper, who is dividing her friend’s attention, as a pest?”
Shaking her head, Thea’s mind scoured for something to say. Something to mend the breach between them. This was not unfolding at all as she had hoped.
“It was a compliment. I am certain of it. I must be telling it wrong, for I assure you that it was not a criticism in any fashion. Phoebe is a dear. I promise.”
Mina smiled as though accepting that assessment, but it held more polite disbelief than genuine acceptance, and Thea couldn’t help but pray that matters would settle with time—yet Mina’s visit was already half over.
Shaking aside that thought, Thea forced herself to remain calm.
They would become friends in time. Rushing matters wasn’t helping.
“Phoebe!” Rising to her toes, Thea lifted a hand to draw the lady’s attention; she was moving before she thought the better of it, ignoring how Mina stiffened as they crossed the green.
“Good afternoon,” said Phoebe, greeting Thea with a buss on the cheek. And turning to Mina, the lady gave a curtsy and greeted her as well. “It is good to see you, Miss Ashbrook.”
“And you, Miss Voss.”
Thea glanced between the pair. For her part, her cousin’s strain had eased, and she met Phoebe’s gaze without any hint of discomfort or disapproval. Perhaps this could be a new start.
“Phoebe, I feel as though I haven’t seen you in ages,” said Thea. “I spied you here and there, but you are so very busy of late.”
Smile straining, the lady nodded. “Yes, I am. Have you seen Mr. Winwood?”
A grin tickled Thea’s lips. “And why are you asking after the gentleman?”
Phoebe scoffed and leveled a narrow look at her friend. “Do not tease me.”
“As you are so very keen to tease, you must forgive me when I seize an opportunity to respond in kind,” said Thea with a wicked grin.
Phoebe gave an indignant huff in return, and Mina stiffened—which made Thea do so as well before flashing her cousin a comforting smile (for the lady hadn’t meant anything by it).
“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Phoebe in a tone that Thea knew was more serious than intended. “Why shouldn’t I keep company with a gentleman who is handsome, intelligent, and witty?”
“Perhaps because you know so little of him?” asked Mina, frowning. “Something about the man feels… amiss, and you ought to be cautious about throwing your heart after him.”
Phoebe stiffened. “I am hardly ‘throwing my heart after him,’ and I would caution against casting aspersions based solely on feelings.”
“She meant nothing by it,” said Thea, glancing between the pair, but Mina was not looking at them, and Phoebe was determinedly scouring the green.
“Of course not. Miss Ashbrook is so very sweet,” said her friend with a bright tone.
“What is the matter, Phoebe? You’ve been so out of sorts lately.” No doubt what ailed Frederick also tainted his sister’s peace of mind, yet Thea sensed an edge of desperation in Phoebe’s expression and tone that was entirely out of character. “Is it Mr. Godwin?”
Phoebe’s gaze darted to her friend. “What have you heard?”
“Nothing. I know he’s been pestering you, and I thought it might be one of the sources of your unease.”
Smoothing her skirts, Phoebe gave a sharp shake of her head. “Yes, of course. But no, he isn’t the source of my unease.” Her voice lowered, and she added to herself, “Not entirely.”
“He seems quite keen…” said Thea, studying her friend’s expression.
“Is he haranguing you?” asked Mina, her brows pulled low, and Thea silently cheered as her cousin’s kind nature seized control, reaching out to a soul in need of comfort. “I know he has been persistent, but if he is truly troublesome—”
Phoebe held up a staying hand to both ladies. “Your concern does you credit, but I assure you he hasn’t caused me an ounce of trouble since… Well, never mind about that. I am certain that a bit more time with Mr. Winwood is certain to do the trick.”
“Since?” prodded Thea, ignoring both the attempted evasion and Mina’s tension at the mention of Mr. Winwood.
But Phoebe’s attention moved past Thea, a smile blossoming on her face. Raising her voice, she added in a teasing tone, “Speak of the devil.”
With a dramatic gape, Mr. Winwood paused in his approach, his brows rising until they were liable to lift clear off his forehead. “The devil?”
“The very one,” said Phoebe, her lips curving as she folded her hands primly before her. “I was only warning my friends of your alarming tendency to appear precisely when your name is mentioned. It is most uncanny.”
“Uncanny?” Mr. Winwood placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “You wound me, Miss Voss. I always consider my appearance to be fortuitous.”
“Oh, I daresay it is,” she replied, eyes glinting. “Though one wonders if you keep yourself hidden behind every hedge in Haverford, waiting for someone to speak of you.”
Leaning closer, he gave her a rascally smile. “My ears are always eager to hear you speak of me, Miss Voss.”
Phoebe’s laugh rang out again; light and quick, it was the sound of a woman entirely aware she was being charmed and allowing it nonetheless. “I do hope you haven’t appeared at my side merely to flirt a little.”
Mr. Winwood placed a hand on his heart. “Never underestimate the value of a good flirtation, madam. But if that is your gentle nudge for me to ask you to dance, then I would be quite honored if you stood up with me.”
Leaning in to take his arm, Phoebe gave him a playful nudge, but before the pair left, Mr. Winwood paused and turned to Mina. “Though I hope you will save me one, Miss Ashbrook. I admired your dancing at the parish feast and am desperate to stand up with someone so skilled and light of foot.”
Mina’s cheeks heated, and she mumbled something Thea couldn’t hear, though the gentleman seemed to take it as an affirmation.
“Come, I am in dire need of a stroll,” said Phoebe, nudging the gentleman along.
“As my lady commands,” said Mr. Winwood with a tip of his hat.
“Good man…” But Phoebe’s playful words faltered as her gaze turned to the distance, her brows twisting together as she stared off at some sight. Thea tried to see what it was, though her gaze drew back to her friend when Phoebe spoke.
“I am so very sorry.” Those few words were filled with the lady’s whole heart, and Phoebe hurried to add, “I warned him not to do it, and I wanted to warn you, but he swore me to secrecy. And the family… I am trying my best… I do not know what…”
Thea reached for her friend’s hand, taking hold of it. “Calm yourself, Phoebe.”
But Mina’s gasp drew her attention, and Thea turned to see what had surprised her. It took some searching, but then she saw it.
Saw him.
Frederick Voss had arrived at the Solstice Festival. And he hadn’t come alone.