A Matter of Convenience by Lana Williams

Author:Lana Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian romance, historical romance
Publisher: Lana Williams
Published: 2023-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

ANTHONY COULDN’T BELIEVE he was attending yet another ball this week. But he thought it best to do so for Viola. He nearly scoffed as a voice inside his head suggested he wasn’t attending merely for Viola’s sake, but for his own. So that he might steal a moment alone with Phoebe.

It had come as an unpleasant surprise when she hadn’t attended the Thompson Ball earlier in the week. Especially since her mother and sister had been there.

The level of his disappointment had also come as a surprise. He hadn’t realized how much he looked forward to seeing her until he didn’t.

He’d had no opportunity to ask Lady Amanda where she was, which left him wondering if something was wrong.

Stanwyck had not been nearly as much of a thorn in his side at the Thompson Ball, seeming to have taken the hint that Viola’s interest in him had faded.

The lord had asked Viola to dance but hadn’t remained to visit, much to Anthony’s relief. Anthony hoped that trend continued this evening, which would leave him free to enjoy himself.

Was that even possible if Phoebe wasn’t there?

However, he entered Pennyworth House with the expectation that Phoebe would attend. The moment he’d escorted Viola, Muriel, and his mother through the receiving line and into the ballroom, he began searching for her.

He soon left his mother and sisters near the refreshment table and made his way slowly around the room. The crowd was impressive, and he paused several times to speak with friends but continued on as quickly as possible.

His mood sank as he progressed around the room without seeing her. Was something wrong? Had she fallen ill? How could he discover any of that if her sister wasn’t here to ask?

He returned to his family, his thoughts still churning through possible scenarios.

“What has you looking so displeased?” Viola asked. “Stanwyck isn’t here, is he?” She glanced about with a frown.

“Not that I know of. Do you know if Lady Phoebe has arrived?”

“I haven’t seen her,” Muriel replied.

“Nor have I,” Viola added. “I was surprised she wasn’t at the Thompson Ball the other evening.”

Anthony held his tongue, not wanting to share that he had the same thought. He wasn’t ready for his sisters or anyone in his family to realize his attachment to Phoebe. Not when he hadn’t defined it or determined what to do about it.

At this rate, the evening was going to be a long one.

Nearly a quarter of an hour had passed, which felt like an eternity, when he happened to catch sight of Phoebe near the entrance to the ballroom. She stood speaking with her sister, their mother directly behind them.

She wore a bright olive-green gown that was particularly becoming. Her hair was swept up into an elegant roll with long curls brushing her shoulders and a few strands free to frame her face. How long would those dark tresses be if unbound? The neckline of her gown was more daring than usual and hinted at the generous swell of her breasts.

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