Page 31 of Letters for Phoebe

A knock on her bedroom door made her groan, then cast her pillow aside. “Who is there?”

“Caroline.”

Phoebe pushed herself up in bed, pushing a few strands of hair that had come loose in the night behind her ears. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Caroline came in with a maid behind her, carrying a breakfast tray. “You must eat, dear, even if you feel poorly. I have some tea with honey and lemon, and here is toast and some lemon cake.” Another maid entered, holding a vase full of scarlet roses. “Oh, and someone sent you flowers. There is a note.” The maids put their burdens on the dressing table, curtsied, and left.

Phoebe stared at the flowers from her place in bed, her heart picking up speed until it reminded her of a galloping horse.

“Thank you, Caroline.” Phoebe slid from between her sheets and went to the flowers. A note had been left tucked inside the stems. She pulled the paper out and went to the window, holding it up to the light.

The rampant lion upon the seal challenged her, glaring fiercely from the wax. She swallowed.

“It is kind of Griffin to send you flowers,” Caroline said.

Phoebe nearly dropped the letter, but instead pressed it to her racing heart and turned to her sister-in-law. “How do you know it’s from Griff—Mr. Fenwick?”

Caroline sat in Phoebe’s chair near the hearth, tucking her legs beneath her. “The seal. His family has used the rampant lion for years. They have two statues like that, guarding the gate of their country estate.”

Phoebe swallowed, then opened the note. She read it over twice in just a few seconds. The brevity in his words gave away nothing. Yet, she found herself relieved he had not attempted to explain, or make excuses, upon the paper. She folded it up and winced when she saw Caroline’s expectant expression.

“He hopes I recover and that he will see me soon. Nothing else.”

“Of course not. It would be inappropriate to say anything else.” Caroline’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Although I have heard a rumor that there have been a few letters with this seal coming into the house before.”

Phoebe’s cheeks blazed with heat, then she went cold all over. “Who said such a thing?” She laughed, the sound weak and unconvincing to her own ears.

Caroline’s grin widened. “Very loyal and honest servants. But never you fear, darling. I have nothing to say on the matter. I trust you. I have always known you to be practical, and Griffin is a gentleman for all that he behaves ridiculously at times.”

Phoebe swallowed and nodded tightly. “Thank you. For not saying anything.”

“I did sense that something was amiss between the two of you last evening. I do hope whatever happened will not cause a permanent wedge between you. He is a good friend of mine, do not forget.” Caroline rose, and her face went pale. “If you will excuse me. I am afraid my own breakfast has not entirely agreed with me.” She put a hand over her abdomen. “Actually, might I have one of your slices of toast to nibble at?”

Phoebe hastily picked up a square of bread and handed it to her sister-in-law.

“Thank you.” Caroline took a small bite, forced a smile, and hastily left the room.

As much as her sister-in-law wished to help, her delicate condition had rather limited her ability to do much of late aside from rest and avoid becoming sick after every bite of food.

The roses caught her eye, and she bent to inhale their lovely scent. Red roses. A rather intimate offering, even if there was a liberal scattering of white carnations with them. She considered the flowers, then the note.

Did he deserve the chance to explain? Perhaps. But whether he did or not, Phoebe knew her own curiosity would drive her to be in the park the next day. She needed to hear what he had to say.

Phoebe opened the small box upon her dressing table and drew out the red-bead bracelet. Her friends might offer her advice, were they present. But there was no time to solicit it now. At least she had the bracelet, and the encouragement it represented.

Daphne, Marah, Lavinia, and Isabel, would all tell her the same thing. If she cared about Griffin Fenwick, and if there was any possibility that he had come to care for her, she had better meet with him.

Her heart approved the plan.

If only she did not have to wait an entire day to find out what Griffin had to say.

Chapter 13

A Beginning

The head of the Serpentine was actually quite narrow and properly called the Long Water. But hardly anyone took the time to remember that the lake boasted two different names for its different forms. Griffin arrived early, though he knew precisely which tree Phoebe had meant in her letter.

She had not written him after he sent the flowers or the note entreating her to meet him. What were the chances of her coming? Finding a chaperone to accompany her to the park, explaining why she wished to be present in the middle of the day rather than at the more conventional times, might prove difficult.