“I won’t do it,” Damaris spat. “I won’t be in the receiving line at a party in which he’s to be idolized for somethingIdid.”
“You have to,” Tommy said. “It’s our chance.”
“A slim one,” Florentia said. “He’ll be on high alert. He already kept the manuscript under lock and key. After the reception we gave him this afternoon, he knows not to trust any of us.”
“He trusts Chloe,” Tommy said. “And he wants Philippa.”
“He wants my dowry and knows I am honor-bound to obey my parents,” Philippa corrected. “Marrying me gives him control.”
“Good riddance.” Chloe reentered the room and lowered her voice. “I’ve a plan. We’ll work out the details with the others tomorrow.”
Philippa arched a brow. “Didn’t you just tell my mother you were stealing me away for a couple days, to visit a ‘friend’ in the country?”
“Islington is absolutely part of a country. And did I say we’d spend the night with a ‘friend’? I meant ‘close relative.’” Chloe’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I thought you might like to visit my dear sibling Tommy.”
28
The long, wide Wynchester dining table was full of food and surrounded by Wynchesters. Next to Chloe was her husband, the Duke of Faircliffe. And next to Tommy was Philippa, whose cheeks flushed pink from laughing so hard. It was a delight to have her at the table. Her reactions to the Wynchesters’ tales were priceless.
“I barely escaped the Circuit Court with my wig intact that summer.” Tommy sent a dark look across the table. “Thanks to Jacob and his meddling beasts.”
He pointed his fork at her. “I believe you mean, ‘Thank you, Jacob, for the trained ferrets who were instrumental in our client’s acquittal.’”
Footmen approached the table to replace the supper trays with dessert platters. Tiglet scampered behind them.
Graham sagged back in his chair. “I can’t eat another bite.”
Philippa’s eyes lit up at a tray of almond cakes. “I volunteer to take up his slack.”
“I told you she’d make a fine Wynchester,” said Elizabeth. “A better one than Graham. What self-respecting Wynchester declines cake?”
“An ex-Wynchester.” Marjorie’s eyes shone. “Philippa can take his place.”
“What?” Graham slapped the table in mock outrage. “There’s no votingout. There’s only votingin.”
“Is that why this table is so large?” Faircliffe waggled his brows at Chloe. “It’s meant to accommodate future Wynchesters? I suppose we can help with that.”
Tommy glanced at Philippa. Faircliffe referred not to romantic partners, but to their future children. Was that something Philippa wanted? It would be just one more thing Tommy could not give her.
“This enormous house holds more than mere Wynchesters.” Jacob accepted a large portion of fruit and gingerbread. “We also entertain friends and host the occasional supper party.”
“Youdo?” Philippa sent a surprised gaze toward Tommy. “I’ve not heard even a whisper of such an event.”
“Because we don’t invite the bon ton,” Elizabeth said.
“Don’t worry,” said Tommy. “You can be bad ton, like me.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Philippa, you are officially a disreputable party. You were wonderfully terrible at stealing the Electi Society manuscript.”
“Istole the Electi manuscript,” Graham said.
“And Tommy and Philippa allowed achildto make off with the booty. How? Were the two of you…distracted?” Marjorie widened her eyes innocently, as though she hadn’t already had the story from Graham. “Whatever could have held your attention?”
Philippa’s face went bright red. “It was Tommy’s fault.”
“Absolutely my fault,” Tommy agreed. “And I would do it again. Indeed, if you’re ever to be bested by a child, ‘I was busy kissing my accomplice’ is a fine excuse.”
Philippa made a choking sound and buried her face in her hands.
