Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,22

can’t we just be happy for them if they are happy? Why can’t people just marry who they love?”

“Oh, and I suppose we’ll just guillotine our king and throw perfectly good tea in the harbor too while we’re at it. Please endeavor to sound less like a savage, Philomena. You know very well why we cannot just marry where we like. You are the daughter of a duke and the sister of one as well. These egalitarian tendencies are most unbecoming in you. Do strive to snuff them out, for my sake.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Now, I have it on good authority that the widowed son of the Earl of Haddington will be in attendance tonight. We must make certain you two are seated at the same table.” She went on, but Philomena wasn’t listening.

It was hopeless. Why hadn’t she seen that earlier? Even her brother had not been so foolish as to marry outside his class. Her mother would never accept James. She supposed they could elope, but then was she not making too many assumptions? James hadn’t told her he loved her. He hadn’t asked her to marry him. Perhaps that wasn’t what he had in mind at all.

They arrived at the card party and were greeted by Lord and Lady Thorpe. Lady Thorpe immediately steered Phil toward a table with a Miss Vincent, who flirted with the two gentleman at the table shamelessly. For her part, the dowager duchess made her way to the Duchess of Ridlington’s table. With the exception of Miss Vincent’s fluttering of eyelashes, the evening went well. Since Phil was the only person actually paying attention to the game, she won a handsome sum.

At quarter to eleven, she began to plan her escape. Lady Lindsey was not playing, and Phil addressed her. “Lady Lindsey, I find my head has begun to pound. Would you please take my place so I might take a turn about the room?”

Mr. Harold Beaumont stood. “I would be happy to accompany you, my lady.”

Phil waved his offer away. “No thank you, Mr. Beaumont. I would not want us both to leave and spoil the game. Lady Lindsey?”

“Of course, I shall play, my dear. I do hope your head feels better soon.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Phil felt poorly for Mr. Beaumont. The widower obviously wanted to escape Miss Vincent, but Phil couldn’t save him tonight.

She circled the room several times to give the players time to become engrossed in play once again, and then she paused at her mother’s table. She curtsied to the Duke and Duchess of Ridlington and Lady Thorpe. “Your Graces. My Lady.” Then she bent low to speak to her mother. “Mama, my head is pounding. Miss Vincent has doused herself with a most unpleasant fragrance. Do you mind if I step into the garden to take in the air?”

“Of course not.” She patted Phil’s arm. “If that does not help, I am certain Lady Thorpe can provide a couch for you to rest upon.” Obviously, her mother was having an enjoyable evening and did not wish to be rushed home. Phil left the room and followed a footman’s directions to the door to the garden. It was a large garden and had been lit by several lanterns. Phil had no trouble finding her way to the gazebo. It too had been lit by lanterns. It also looked quite empty. Her steps faltered. What if James did not come?

But as she grew closer, she saw a shape leaning against one of the columns. “James?” she whispered.

The shape moved toward her.

“James?”

“I’m here.” He reached out a hand and she took it, crashing into him, and burying her face in his shoulder.

“I thought you might not come.”

He looked down at her. “I shouldn’t have come, but I can’t seem to resist ye.” He rubbed her arms, bare beneath her shawl. “But ye’re cold. Ye can’t stay out here, lass.”

“I’m warm enough now that I’m with you. We should move away from the lanterns.”

“Sure and I can fix that.” He led her up the steps to the gazebo then blew out the candles in each lantern, casting them into shadow. “Dark enough for you?”

“It’s perfect.”

“Yer perfect.” He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. She should have melted into the kiss. It was the kind of kiss that usually took her breath away and made her knees buckle. But she couldn’t forget the thoughts that had plagued her in the carriage. James pulled back. “What’s wrong? Should I not have