Page 43 of Her Rogue to Ruin
They made their way through a side hall and into the sprawling glass-enclosed space. They’d installed lots of seating amid the flowers and palms. Phin and Selkirk chose two richly upholstered chairs facing each other and settled into them.
Immediately, Phin wanted to get back onto his feet. It felt uncomfortable to stop moving and sit with his thoughts.
As if reading his mind, Selkirk nudged him. “It will feel better if you get the matter out in front of you to examine. Tell me what’s troubling you, friend.”
“I’m quite gone over Portia Hastings.”
Selkirk chuckled and sipped his tea. “I think that was fairly well-established weeks ago.”
Phin frowned. “I never spoke to you about her weeks ago.”
“Oh, you did. You found a way to mention her every time we met up at the club or the fencing salon. In the most mundane of terms, of course. But you always noted that she’d come to work on your mother’s portrait and then your sister’s.”
“I suppose I did.” Phin hadn’t known his preoccupation was so obvious.
“And then, of course, a few days ago you threatened to pummel me for mentioning that I wished to proposition her.” Selkirk smiled proudly. “That was my test. And you failed.” He pressed his lips together. “Or won, depending on how one looks at it, I suppose.”
“So, you and the widow have…” He rolled his hand in the air.
“Yes,” Phin said tightly. “And it’s altered me entirely.”
Selkirk threw his head back and laughed as Phin couldn’t remember him letting go since their university days. When he finally quieted, there were unshed tears in his eyes.
When he noticed Phin wasn’t joining in, he frowned fiercely.
“Good God, you’ve fallen in love.”
Phin couldn’t help a smile. “I have. Quite thoroughly. No cure for it, I fear.”
“So quickly?”
“Is there a time recommendation?”
“How the hell should I know? I will avoid that trap as long as there’s breath in my body.”
Selkirk’s horror made Phin feel somehow lighter. He had no regrets about what he felt, no desire to stem it or stop feeling this wild, tumultuous way. He felt alive. Fully and without restraint.
Selkirk licked his lips and sat forward in his chair. “What of Lady Mary?”
“That’s where your stellar advice comes in.” Phin crossed his arms and stared at his friend. “I’m ready for your wisdom.”
Selkirk stared at a palm whose enormous leaf hung nearby. “You must break off the betrothal, I suppose. Though, at worst, her father could bring a breach of promise suit.”
Phin had the same fear. “And at best?”
Selkirk shrugged. “You’re free to marry the beautiful widow.Ifshe even cares to marry. Though with your deep pockets, I suspect she’ll be willing.”
Phin scoffed at that. “IfI manage to convince Portia to marry me, she won’t do it for money. She’ll do it because it’s what she truly wants. I suspect she’s like me and has spent a good deal of her life meeting others’ expectations.”
“And you’re bucking all of that now?”
Phin’s gut clenched a moment at the prospect of what might lie ahead. But the moment he thought of Portia, of how much they had yet learn about each other, discover together, all fear fled. And she was an excellent example to him of courage. She’d dared to begin her own business enterprise, to buck, as Selkirk put it, the expectations of those who’d no doubt expected her to remarry quickly or who scorned an unwed noblewoman trying to make her way in the world.
“Yes, I’m going to do whatever it takes.” Phin drew in a breath and let it out. “And face whatever consequences come. Love is a worthy pursuit.”
Selkirk rolled his eyes. “Who said that? Some lady novelist in one of those books you’re so fond of?”
“I did. You might heed that sentiment one day, Lord Selkirk.” Both men turned to find Phin’s mother standing beyond the cluster of palms and got to their feet.
