Letters for Phoebe by Sally Britton Page 0,25

up to the door and knocked.

He entered the parlor where Phoebe sat, the letter folded in her hand, and his heart began beating at twice its usual rhythm. She tucked the letter behind her back, a blush fading from her cheeks as she curtsied. Today she wore a gown of white, with a teal shawl around her shoulders and the red beaded bracelet again on her wrist. The jewelry must hold some sort of personal meaning for it to be upon her person so often.

“Mr. Fenwick, I was not expecting you.”

Griffin chuckled and bowed. “I hope my visit is not as unpleasant as it is unexpected.”

Caroline’s voice surprised him from where she stood near the window. “How could your company ever be unpleasant, Griffin?” He had not even noticed his friend. Phoebe had taken all his attention at once.

“Caroline, I am glad to see you. Have you recovered from the ball sufficiently?” He darted a quick look at Phoebe when she lifted a book from the couch, tucking the letter inside the cover. He cleared his throat. “I—I recall you were quite tired when you left.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.” Caroline’s sly smile had returned. She looked from Griffin to her sister-in-law. “Phoebe enjoyed herself immensely. I think she would have gone to another ball the very next evening had I not begged for an evening at home.”

That remark gave Griffin permission to turn his attention fully back to the unmarried lady. “It was a fine evening. I do not think I saw you without a partner even once, Miss Kimball.”

“Indeed, I was quite fortunate in partners.” Phoebe clasped the book in one hand and gestured with the other to a chair. “Will you sit with us, Mr. Fenwick? Perhaps take some tea and cake?”

“I would very much like that.” Griffin took the chair, and Phoebe resumed her seat upon the couch. Caroline came and joined her. “I must apologize for not calling right away. I am afraid some family matters arose which required my attention.” That was at least in part true. He had entertained his mother when he ought to have been paying his call. “But I do have a peace offering for you ladies, if you will accept my apology.”

“Is it an offering then, or a bribe?” Phoebe asked, her eyebrows raising while her rosy lips slowly tilted upward. The woman’s smile proved most distracting. Griffin had to look to Caroline to gather his thoughts again.

"I am to take my mother to the theater tomorrow evening. If you ladies are not engaged elsewhere, I thought you might wish to join us.”

“The theater?” Caroline said at the same moment Phoebe asked, “Which theater?”

“Covent Garden,” he said, noting the way her eyes widened. His plan seemed to be working. “There will be a pantomime and then a comedy. The Eccentric Lover. Have either of you heard of it?”

Caroline started to shake her head, but Phoebe moved closer to the end of her seat.

“I have only just had it recommended to me,” Phoebe said, her tone bright with excitement. “By a friend. I should very much like to go. I do not believe we are yet engaged anywhere else, are we Caroline?”

“I am afraid Joseph and I have already accepted a dinner invitation.” Caroline tilted her head to the side, regarding her sister-in-law with care. Phoebe’s shoulder slumped, and Griffin held his breath. It had been a gamble, to think they would have no plans on such short notice, but there was still a chance.

Phoebe’s smile disappeared a moment before she seemed to remember herself under scrutiny. “Oh. That is a shame. Perhaps another time, Mr. Fenwick?”

Griffin did not get the chance to respond.

“Oh, Phoebe.” Caroline giggled and took the younger woman’s hand. “You need not come to a dinner full of strangers. I will make your excuses. If Mrs. Fenwick and Griffin will take you in their carriage, I believe you will be well chaperoned and looked after. There is no reason to miss a play you will likely enjoy.”

Phoebe’s warm brown eyes brightened, and she met Griffin’s gaze with a most exuberant smile that caused his heart’s tempo to pick up in speed. “I should very much like to attend with you, Mr. Fenwick, if you do not mind Caroline’s absence.”

He did not mind in the slightest. “Then I will come here for you tomorrow evening, Miss Kimball.”

Tea arrived at that moment, and Caroline poured each of them a cup. They spoke of inconsequential things, of mutual