Page 37 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
Uncle Felton hacked once more, then stood up. His face was crimson, and he had a little spittle on the corner of his lip. He pulled an indigo-blue handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his mouth. He nodded weakly. “I will be fine…just as soon as the two of you calm yourselves.”
Phineas eyed his friend keenly. “I think you should let me examine you.”
“We have no time for that,” Felton said in a raspy voice. He coughed once more, and that helped clear whatever blockage had been in his throat. “We must focus on the problems which lay at our doorstep.” He gestured toward what was left of the letter that lay scattered at their feet. “Percival, what do you intend to do about this situation with Mrs Windler and her husband?”
“Very little,” Percy said as he gave a careless shrug. “The damage has already been done. I have ended my relationship with the woman, and the gentleman has enacted his revenge. Once I am married, all will be long forgotten.”
Phineas shot his uncle a dubious look, but Lord Linfield shook his head. Phineas interpreted that to mean whatever was the first thought to pop to his mind was not worth mentioning. So, he took a slow, even breath and said the next thing, which was likely more helpful, “If you are unconcerned with this matter because you think your marriage will wipe away all the stains, why did you bring the problem to us now?”
Percy scowled. “Perhaps I was hoping for some brotherly solicitude?”
“Percy,” Phineas said cajolingly. “What do you really want?”
“I am going to need your assistance, Brother…Uncle Felton,” he confessed while giving a theatrical sigh. “While I think my marriage will bind me to one woman and it will negate the need to have affairs elsewhere, I do not see how I can manage my business dealings. I need both of you to help me ensure this story does not spread further than this yard.
I cannot risk rumours mounting before my wedding, and even afterwards. I would hate for my other business associates to think poorly of me. Moreover, I would like to make new connections, and I suppose I could use your help with that as well.”
“Percy…” Felton said slowly, and immediately Percival’s face fell.
So, Phineas interjected, “I do not know of anything off the top of my head, Brother, but I will make inquiries on your behalf.”
“You will?” Percy asked as his eyes widened hopefully.
“Of course,” Phineas returned. “You are my only sibling. I should like it if you had a happy life, and if I can help make that possible, then I ought to do all I can.”
“Thank you!” Percy cried as he pulled Phineas in for a tight hug. “I shall not forget this kindness.” He dropped the embrace quickly and said, “I must return to the house now. I am sure Mama and Lady Christianna are looking for me. Oh, Phineas…” He beamed. “You really are the best.”
“Yes,” Phineas murmured. “I am a real gem.”
As Percy practically skipped away from them, Uncle Felton coughed quietly into his handkerchief, then tucked it back into his pocket. “Why did you do that?” he asked once Percy was well enough away it would be unlikely for him to overhear.
Phineas shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? Tell him I am madly in love with his bride-to-be and declare the only thing left to do would be to whisk her away from all this?”
Felton said slowly, contemplatively, “You might have done as much—if you really wanted to.”
“No,” Phineas replied as he stared down at his feet. “That is not how things are meant to be. Percy is supposed to live a charmed life with the beautiful, intelligent wife, and I…well, I am meant to stand by his side and help him make prudent choices.”
“It does not have to be that way,” Uncle Felton whispered.
“Yes,” Phineas disagreed, “yes, it does. This is the only way.”
Chapter 15
“Miss Fitzroy,” Christianna said quietly as she looked at her lady’s maid’s reflection in the mirror, “if I ask you something, will you answer my questions honestly?”
“Of course, my lady,” Miss Fitzroy replied as she gave a dutiful bob of her head, making the soft brown curls which peeked underneath her day cap bounce.
“And if I wish to speak of…private matters, will you keep my secrets?”
Miss Fitzroy had been in the middle of twisting the long ends of Christianna’s hair into a plait, and she paused in her work. Her light brown eyes showed her surprise, and her cute button nose scrunched in concern. “My lady, I have not the pleasure of understanding you.”
Christianna sighed. “I wish to speak with you candidly but do not want my words to be repeated to others. So, I am asking you now if we may have a friendly, private conversation or if, for one reason or another, you will report what I say back to my aunt or the dowager duchess, or even some of the other maids.”
Miss Fitzroy nodded. “I see.” Her eyes met Christianna’s in the looking glass, and she added, “I will keep your secrets, my lady, and answer any questions you pose to the best of my ability. I will not tell others what you say, but if someone should ask me questions later, I will not lie to them, either.”
“Fine,” Christianna agreed.
The lady’s maid’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Now, what would you like to discuss, my lady?”
