Page 86 of The Wedding-Crashing Duchess

“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.