Chapter 14 #4
Charity seemed to understand. “Then you will survive knowing the truth. But Augusta, I do not think you should assume he feels nothing merely because he has not said it.”
Temperance leaned forward. “He is attending the ball.”
Augusta frowned. “What does that prove?”
“You have spent half the morning telling us that he dislikes society.” Temperance spread her hands. “Yet when Gregory offered to keep you company at the ball, Ravenhill suddenly discovered an urgent passion for social gatherings.”
Alethea’s lips curved. “That is interesting.”
Augusta thought back to dinner and Ronan’s glare whenever Gregory made her laugh.
“I am not going to build an entire theory of my marriage around a ball,” Augusta said, mostly for her own benefit.
Temperance smiled. “Of course not.”
A moment later Madame Laroque appeared.
“Forgive me, Your Graces, but Lady Phillipa Hewes has arrived for her appointment. I remembered that you were acquainted and thought I should mention it before bringing her through.”
Augusta straightened. “Please send her in,” she said.
Phillipa appeared a few minutes later wearing a pale walking dress and an expression of mild surprise when she discovered the entire group assembled in the fitting room.
“Well,” she said, smiling, “I had been told that choosing a gown required advice, but I did not realize Augusta had convened a council.”
Temperance rose. “You arrived at an excellent time. We are preventing her from wearing pale blue for the sixth time.”
“Fifth,” Augusta corrected.
Phillipa laughed. “Then I support the council.”
Augusta pointed toward the door. “You may leave.”
“I have only just arrived.”
Phillipa came farther into the room, greeting Charity, Temperance, and Alethea before settling into the empty chair near Augusta.
There was an ease between them now that had not existed during their Seasons.
The old rivalry had not vanished completely, but its sharper edges had softened once neither of them was competing for the same future.
“You are shopping for the ball?” Augusta asked.
“I am. Mama has decided my entire wardrobe requires renewal now that everyone believes I was left devastated at the altar.”
Temperance winced. “Society is charming.”
“Society is bored,” Phillipa replied. “I am apparently expected to look either tragically pale or defiantly magnificent. There seems to be no acceptable middle ground.”
Augusta smiled. “And which have you chosen?”
“Magnificent, obviously.”
Temperance brightened. “I like her.”
Phillipa laughed. “I have been trying to persuade Madame Laroque to use gold, but Mama thinks it will appear as though I am attempting to prove something.”
“You are,” Augusta said.
Phillipa looked at her. “So are you.”
Augusta blinked. “What am I proving?”
Phillipa’s gaze dropped to the green silk draped over the chair and then returned to Augusta. “That married life suits you.”
The comment caught Augusta off guard.
Temperance made a suspicious little sound, though Augusta ignored her.
Phillipa smiled. “You look different.”
“How?”
“Happier.”
The simplicity of the answer silenced Augusta for a moment.
Phillipa did not seem to notice the effect.
“I am glad, by the way, about everything. I know our situation was absurd, and I know I was not particularly gracious to you at first. But stopping that wedding was probably the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, even if your reasons were completely mistaken.”
Temperance looked between them with visible interest.
Phillipa continued, “I would have married him because it made sense. I kept telling myself that was enough. Then the ceremony stopped, and for the first time I felt relieved. I think I needed someone to create the disaster for me because I was too afraid to create it myself.”
Augusta smiled gently. “I am still sorry for accusing your bridegroom of murder in front of half of London.”
Phillipa laughed. “And I am still grateful you did.”
“Life is very strange.”
“It is. Though perhaps next time you wish to save me from a bad decision, you might try a private conversation first.”
Temperance leaned toward Phillipa. “And are you looking for another husband?”
Phillipa smiled. “I am looking for a gold gown.”
Augusta laughed.
Temperance looked delighted. “You may join us whenever you wish.”
“Do not encourage her,” Augusta said.
Phillipa glanced at the others. “What have I interrupted?”
“Nothing,” Augusta replied quickly.
Around them, the room returned slowly to the business of gowns. Phillipa began arguing with Temperance about gold embroidery. Alethea rescued a cream silk from both of them. Charity returned to the green fabric Augusta had liked from the beginning and began discussing sleeves with Madame Laroque.
Augusta sat for a moment without joining in.
She thought about Ronan and the possibility that when Ronan had looked at her mouth the previous evening, he might have been just as confused by his feelings as she was by hers.
She still did not know what would happen. But for the first time, admitting the feeling did not make her want to run from it.
Temperance suddenly held up a scarlet silk beside her face. “Last chance.”
“No.”
Temperance sighed. “You are hopeless.”