The Langley Sisters Trilogy Boxed Set (53 page)

      “Well, by that reaction I would say that, as Will suggested, there is something between you and Finn, sister, and I will add that I like him very much.”

      “There is nothing between us, and for your information he finds me too outspoken!” Phoebe clasped her head in both hands in an attempt to stop the thudding. Life was really far too complicated, she thought as Livvy laughed instead of being indignant as Phoebe felt she should be.

      “Does he? Well, I’m not surprised. You do tend to turn into a completely different woman when he is near.”

      “Shouldn’t you be defending me and angry with him?” Phoebe griped. “After all, he insulted me.”

      “To be fair, the man has not been able to keep his eyes off you since he first met you, and in return you have tormented him by flirting with other men and taunting him continuously.”

      
God, had she?
Phoebe felt shame sweep over her, even as she felt a small burst of excitement over the fact that Livvy believed Finn could not keep his eyes from her.
 

      “Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying this thing, for want of a better word, with Lord Levermarch far too much?”
 

      “I thought you said there was no thing,” Livvy said, a soft smile on her face.
 

      “There is no thing, sister. He is lacking many of the qualities I would seek in my future husband.”

      “He is not handsome?”

“No.”

      “Wealthy?”

      “No!” Phoebe snapped.

      “Oh I know.” Livvy clicked her fingers. “He is not elegant and well-mannered and let us not forget that he is one of society’s most eligible bachelors.”

      Phoebe glared at her sister. “Is there a point you are trying to make or is your intention merely to annoy me?”

      “You’re very touchy about him, Phoebe, considering you profess not to care.”

      Throwing back the covers, Phoebe swung her legs over the side of the bed in preparation of standing.
 

      “I am not touchy about him. I merely have no wish to discuss him. And furthermore, I have told him several times not to talk to me, yet he continues to do so.”
 

      “I believe the saying, ‘doth protest too much’, would fit this moment,” Livvy said, walking towards the door. She did not stop when Phoebe muttered something vile, instead sailing through and gently shutting it behind her.

      Finn tried to calm down. He had run from his house when the twins had told him of Phoebe’s fall, called for his horse and galloped across town. He’d nearly run down a flower seller and scattered a group of young boys, but he had made it here in fifteen minutes and all the while he had the vision of Phoebe lying broken and bloodied at the bottom of some stairs.
 

      “And you say she is unharmed but for a knock to the head and shoulder?” he asked again.

      “Yes, Finn, and as I stated the previous three times I would have called a doctor had I thought it necessary, but she assured me it was not,” Will said from his position behind the large oak desk.
 

      “You should have called a doctor, Will. Her head could be far worse than she is letting on.”

      “Livvy and I checked on her every two hours during the night, if that soothes your nerves.”

      Finn stopped his pacing to look at his friend. The man had a smug expression on his face.
 

      “What?”

      “I have never seen you so ruffled over a woman, Finn. It warms my soul, and as you know, I believe Phoebe is a particularly fine young lady. I could not be happier.”

      Finn scowled. “Happier about what, for pity’s sake? I’m not ruffled. I do not get ruffled,” he said, outraged at the very thought. “I have no wish to see her harmed. After all, she is Livvy’s sister; of course I take an interest in her welfare.”

      Will coughed loudly, which Finn did not appreciate as he was sure it hid a laugh.

      “And you would have raced across town at ten in the morning with no hat or gloves, to see any young lady who had fallen down the stairs last night.” Holding up one hand as Finn started to speak, he added, “Correction. I shall clarify that by saying, any young lady who is related to the wife of a friend.”

      Finn pinched the bridge of his nose. He had never left his house without a hat or gloves.
 

      “I came here to see you about a business proposition.”

      “Of course you did.”

      “I have chosen my future wife, Will, and it is not Phoebe.”

      “As you have not even asked for my hand, Lord Levermarch, I hope that is indeed true.”
 

Finn felt his stomach drop to his toes as he looked to the door to see Phoebe walking in behind Olivia.

“Such a relief to know I was never your intended as I have to admit, you were never on my list, either.” Her words sounded light, as if sharing a joke. However, she was not laughing. Her eyes were cold as a bleak winter’s day. “Please let me be the first to congratulate you on your selection. May we know the name of your intended?”

Finn had said what he had to shut Will up. Yes, he’d believed he was nearing the end of his search for a wife, and thought that Lady Croxley could be that person, but he had as yet made no move to offer for her.
 

“I have asked no one as yet, Miss Langley. I have merely-”

“Narrowed down the names on the list? She must be quite a paragon, my lord, to meet your exacting standards.”

He felt the heat of everyone’s eyes on him as Phoebe spoke.
 

“Are you well, Phoebe, after your fall?” Finn tried to steer the subject away from him.

      “Yes thank you, Lord Levermarch. There was no need for you to come over and see for yourself.”

      Finn hated seeing her so cold. That was not Phoebe. She was sunshine and light, she laughed and shared jokes, she was never emotionless. He had both insulted and hurt her with his words, yet knew no way to apologize.

“Will and I had business to attend to. Therefore, when my brothers told me what had transpired last night I thought to ask after you as well.”
God, I am a fool,
he thought, disgusted. Why could he not just state honestly that he was concerned for her, as he would have been had it been Olivia or Isabella.

“Then we shall not keep you, my lord. Come, Livvy, we will leave the men to their business.”

      “Tea!” Livvy said suddenly. “We will have tea together first.”

“Livvy, please stop hurrying about the place.” Phoebe attempted to stop her sister from leaving, but Olivia did not stop. With a bright smile fixed on her face she hurried from the room.
 

“Keeping busy stops her thinking, Phoebe. You know how she copes with things.”

“I know,” Phoebe sighed. “But she must not overdo it, Will. Go after her at once and make sure she is not weeping in the linen closet.”

Finn watched Will leave the room. He then watched as Phoebe realized she was now alone with him.
 

      “Is the pain bad?”

      “No.” She turned so quickly, as if to follow her sister and stumbled.

      “Christ, woman, will you be careful!”

      He caught her, pulling her into his arms.
 

      “I am all right. Please release me, my lord.”

      She tried to resist as his fingers pushed her chin upwards, but he was stronger. Her face was the color of milk and pain was etched deep inside her eyes.

      “You should not have left your bed.”

      Her fingers gripped his wrist and tried to push his hand aside.

      “Thank you, Doctor Levermarch, but I do not take orders from you. Now release me.”
 

      “How did you fall? Alex said he thought you could have been pushed.”

She tried to swat his fingers away as he brushed them up one cheek and then down the length of her nose.

      “You should not be touching me like this, my lord, especially in light of your upcoming betrothal.”

      “I have made no such declaration.”

      “Yet you will, so stop toying with me.”

      She was struggling now so he released her, as he had no wished to cause her further pain. But he didn’t want to; instead he wanted to pick her up and carry her to a chair and kiss her senseless. He remembered everything about the kiss they had shared, the sweet taste of her lips beneath his, the feel of her body.

      “Did someone push you down those stairs last night, Phoebe?”

      “How are your brothers, my lord? I fear last night was something of a trial for them.”

      Finn didn’t answer straight away, letting her know he was not happy with her avoidance.

      “They are understandably worried about you, Phoebe. However, they appear to be fully recovered.”

      “You’re both standing. Sit, please.” Livvy returned and the opportunity to question her further was gone. Frustrated, Finn did as Olivia asked. Had she been pushed? And if so, by whom?

      “Livvy, I believe I will return to my room.”
 

Finn watched Phoebe move to where here sister now stood.
 

“It seems you are right, and I do need rest as I fear my head is now throbbing.”

      She was gone seconds later. Leaving him feeling angry, but he wasn’t sure whether it was addressed at him or her.
 

      Phoebe woke early four days after her accident. The sun had not risen, yet she knew she must, or go slowly demented with the constant inactivity and confinement. Her sisters were well meaning but smothering her, and Will was little better. Alex and Hannah sent her regular reports about how everything was going at the boutique, however enough was enough. Her head was better and her shoulder now only ached a little bit.

      “Have Moses bring Harvey round please, Sally.”

      “But are you sure? Your head is not quite healed and your shoulder-”

      “Not another word, Sally. I cannot spend one more day inside so do this for me, please. Tell Moses I will not be riding astride.”

      Her maid was reluctant, yet did as Phoebe directed. She then helped her pull on her riding habit and boots. The hat was still not comfortable so she plaited her hair and left it down her back, tied in an emerald green ribbon. Collecting her gloves, she then left the house without anyone seeing her departure.
 

      It was a cool morning and the sun had not broken through the mists as she came down the steps to where Moses waited.

      “Good morning, Moses.”

      “Miss Langley, I hope you are well.”

      “Not up to tricks, but a gentle gallop will be just the thing.”

      He helped her into the side saddle. She arranged her skirts and then they were on their way. It felt wonderful to be in the fresh air, even with the smell of chimney smoke filling her nostrils.

      Harvey started fidgeting as they entered the park, so she made her way down the path and onto the grass then let him have his head. Moses was behind her as she kicked Harvey on, his horse slower, and he followed at a more sedate pace. Soon they were galloping over the grass with Phoebe bent low over Harvey’s neck. This was what she needed, what could force that horrid man from her thoughts. For days since his visit she had thought of Finn, remembered how gentle his hands were on her face and how wonderful it felt to be held in his strong arms. She shouldn’t care who he wed, as she herself would likely marry one day, and that man would respect her for who she was.
 
However, in the meantime she would help make Madame Alexander’s the most famous shopping establishment in London.
 

      “Watch out!” Moses called out from behind her, and it was then she saw a group of riders appear through the mist. They were galloping hard, but they had not seen the child in their path. Looking left she saw a man running, calling to the child, but it did not stop. Dear God, it would be crushed.
 

      Phoebe didn’t give herself time to think. She swung her right leg over the saddle so she was astride and then bent low. Hooking her left leg around the pommel, she galloped hard towards the child. The thunder of hooves grew louder and the child stopped suddenly. Realizing the danger, he looked toward the horses descending upon him. Hanging off the saddle, Phoebe took a deep breath and lowered one arm. She would only get one chance at this, and even then it was possible the oncoming horses would collide with her. Reaching wide as the child turned her way, she scooped it up high and placed it beneath her. Bending over the little body, she then prayed.

      The air suddenly turned blue as the men roared by and Phoebe watched two brush past her on the right and one left. Exhaling a shaky breath, she realized they had missed her thankfully. Reining in Harvey, she lifted the child upright.

      “Are you alright, child?”

      He was too scared to talk. His face pale, he just stared at her for several seconds before he started to cry.