“Aren’t you worried about your books and papers lying in disarray?” she asked in a small voice.
“I’m more worried about you,” Graham said. “Books and papers can be replaced.”
Philippa’s eyes prickled and she darted her gaze away while she blinked extra hard.
Graham leaned back in his chair. “A little bird told me you have the dreadful custom of running away from things you care about at the first sign of conflict.”
Philippa stammered, “Tommy said that?”
“Elizabeth and Marjorie,” Graham replied. “They apparently witnessed your technique in action at Vauxhall Gardens.”
Philippa’s cheeks burned with shame. There was no glib answer that could absolve her.
“This is the Planning Parlor,” Graham said again. “This is where we come to work problems out. If you still wish to run away after you’ve analyzed the problem logically, let it be a strategic choice rather than cowardice.”
Philippa winced. The picture he painted of her was not pretty…but itwasa hopeful one. He would not have brought her here unless he did believe there was a solution just waiting to be fathomed out.
Graham folded his arms across his broad chest. “Were you running away from my sister?”
Philippa nodded once.
“Did you intend to come back to her?”
Philippa clenched her teeth and shook her head.
“It’s all right to feel confused,” he said.
“I am not confused,” Philippa replied. “I understand the nuances of my situation perfectly well, which is the reason I walked—ran—away. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to recognize when you are defeated. I am out of choices and I am out of time.”
Graham raised his brows. “Your parents cannot still intend to betroth you to Northrup.”
“Lord Whiddleburr,” she muttered.
He looked appalled. “Let me loan you the journal I compiled on that family. You may change your mind.”
“I already don’t want him,” Philippa ground out. “I want Tommy.”
“But Tommy tossed you from her chambers in repulsion?”
“No, she did not.”
“She screamed at you and cursed your name?”
“No.”
“She made a rude comment about your favorite author?”
Philippa glared at him. Brothers were apparently horrid beasts. “You make it sound as though I brought on my own heartache all by myself.”
Graham gazed back at her without responding.
Heat traveled up the back of Philippa’s neck.
Tommyhadasked her to stay. Philippahadchosen to run instead. She had very much caused the current situation herself.
“I want her, but I cannot have her,” she said glumly. “Young ladies in Polite Society only have one accepted path. Marry well or be mocked and pitied as a spinster.”
“Fascinating,” Graham said. “I had no idea how remarkably stupid clever people could be.”
