Playing With Fire by Jayne Davis

Author:Jayne Davis [Davis, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Verbena Books
Published: 2020-06-27T04:00:00+00:00

That was all, although it was surprising enough.

How should she respond? The idea of being invited to dinner by the earl was both flattering and frightening. Her uncle had been invited as well, but she wasn’t sure that she should, or even could, explain to him how she had come by the invitation. A formal invitation from Lord Marstone would be better.

She started turning pages and writing down numbers on a new sheet of paper. Then she rang the bell and asked for Green.

When Phoebe arrived at Miss Fletcher’s salon that afternoon, she was surprised to see Bella there, perusing pattern books.

“Hello, Phoebe,” Bella said. “I’ve come to see how your gowns look on you.”

“If you’ll come this way, Miss Deane?” Amy gestured towards the changing room.

“Bring her back in here to be pinned, please, Amy,” Bella said.

“Yes, my lady.”

Once in the back room, Amy helped Phoebe to change into the first of the ball gowns she’d ordered. This one was pale gold in colour, with an overdress in a deeper shade. Delicate, creamy lace trimmed the neckline and sleeves. Back in the salon, she stood in the spot Amy indicated, gazing in awe at her image in the mirrors.

“It’s lovely, Phoebe,” Bella said, getting up to walk around her.

“Don’t move, miss,” Amy warned through a mouthful of pins.

“How did you enjoy your outing with Captain Synton?” Bella asked.

“Oh, well enough.” Phoebe smiled at the memory of the awkward start to their conversation. “Thank you for sending him.”

Bella tutted. “He told you I’d sent him? The man has no manners.”

Phoebe laughed, and this time Amy tutted.

“Not in so many words,” Phoebe explained. “It was a little difficult at first, but we got on splendidly after I asked him about the horses.”

“Yes, Nick said he’s asked to borrow the phaeton and pair again tomorrow. He said you wanted to drive them?”

Phoebe remembered just in time not to turn around, and caught Bella’s eye in one of the mirrors instead. “Yes. I had to—I drove a coach for a few miles in France, and I thought it would be interesting to learn properly.” When there were no soldiers to evade. “Does Lord Carterton mind?”

Bella shook her head. “Not at all. He trusts Richard to take care of them.”

“Step up on here, please, Miss Deane,” Amy said, indicating a broad box. Phoebe did so, and Amy crouched to check the hem.

Phoebe recalled the start of her outing, and couldn’t stop her lips curving.

“Do tell,” Bella said. “What amuses you so?”

“The captain was due to call half an hour after Lord Harlford called for Hélène,” Phoebe began, wondering if she was being fair to her cousin in relating the story. Perhaps she wasn’t, but Hélène had brought it on herself, after all.

“Richard was late?”

“Oh no,” Phoebe said, turning to Amy’s command. “He was on time, as was Lord Harlford. Hélène kept him waiting for half an hour.”

Bella’s eyebrows rose. Phoebe had wondered if keeping a suitor waiting was normal, but it appeared not.

“He was not best pleased?”

“No.

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