Page 47 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
When he said we needed to further discuss matters between us, did he mean that all was settled? Did he seek out the duke, reveal the truth of our situation, and see that my union with Percival was undone? Or…has this occurrence with Felton somehow made Phineas change his mind? Is it possible he does not want me anymore?
Chapter 20
The next two days passed rather quickly. Phineas lost track of time as he kept vigil at Felton’s bed around the clock. Every time his friend would stir for a moment, Phineas prompted him to drink up all the mixture he could stomach, but sometimes the poor man could not swallow more than a drop.
“Phineas,” Percy said as he entered Felton’s bedchambers without knocking. Most of the servants and others who visited extended the courtesy of waiting for the doctor to admit them, but as Phineas reasoned, it was Percy’s house, and he did whatever he pleased. “I must speak with you at once.”
“I am busy at present,” Phineas replied brusquely. “You will have to come back some other time.”
“I cannot,” Percy said as he lifted his chin importantly. “I have already waited long enough to have this conversation with you.” He nodded at Felton’s still form. “I have put off the matter, in deference to Uncle Felton’s condition, but I can hold my tongue no longer.”
Phineas was so weary, so fatigued, that his next words came out glibly, “So, you have uncovered the truth, have you?” For he was certain Percival’s marching into the bedchamber in this manner was for no other reason than the main.
He had learned of Phineas’ and Christianna’s feelings for one another. Now, there was bound to be a reckoning, and Phineas almost welcomed it. He was tired of hiding his feelings, and moreover, he had not the strength to continue with this subterfuge.
Percy wrinkled his nose and made a face that implied he had no idea what Phineas was talking about. “I have come to speak to you about my upcoming wedding ceremony.”
“Yes,” Phineas said testily, “I imagined you would seek me out eventually.”
“Well,” Percy said distractedly as he fiddled absentmindedly with the lapels on his jacket, “as you know, the wedding is but two days away.”
“Is it?” Phineas challenged. He was doing all he could to prompt Percy to come right out and accuse him of stealing Christianna, without actually admitting as much himself. Very slowly, Phineas stood. His muscles were tense, not just because he had been sitting in the same pose for a number of days but because he was prepared for Percival to become combative.
“I wish to speak to you about Lady Christianna,” Percy said as he stopped toying with his coat and turned his eyes upon Phineas. “It has come to my attention that—”
Cuh…
The cough that escaped Uncle Felton’s mouth was more like a low rasp. Throughout the last few days, he had alternated between hacking so abruptly and sharply, it almost seemed he was choking and doing something akin to this quiet, weak, spluttering.
“Go on,” Phineas urged as he turned his full attention back to Percy, but his brother was no longer looking at him. His head was tilted to the side, and he was gazing at Uncle Felton sympathetically.
“You know,” Percy said wistfully, “he has always been here…with us. I shudder to think what will become of our family without him.”
“Then do not think about it,” Phineas stated flatly. “Try to maintain a positive attitude.”
Percy twisted his head ever so slightly and gave Phineas a probing look. “Is that your professional opinion, Brother?”
“No,” Phineas replied. “But it is what I keep telling myself. If I believe strongly enough that Felton will make it through this bout of sickness, then it shall be so.”
“I do wish I shared your outlook…on everything,” Percival replied as his lips turned down at the corners, and he frowned deeply. “These last few weeks, I thought we were all having a bit of a lark. It was almost like a holiday, getting ready for the wedding, celebrating with our nearest and dearest friends, but seeing Uncle Felton laid out like this…it has put everything in perspective.” He paused and squeezed his eyes shut.
“We are brothers, Phineas. I know we have not always been the very best of mates, but the ties that bind us, that will be what endures always.” He opened his eyes and turned to stare at Phineas squarely. “I wish to be fully honest with you, Brother, as I do not know when I will get the chance hereafter.”
Suddenly, Phineas’ heart was seized by a tremendous sense of guilt. He had fallen in love with Lady Christianna, most unwittingly, and had acted upon his feelings because they struck him as being right and natural. But in doing so, he had never considered the allegiance he owed to his brother, Percival.
He had taken Percy’s feelings for granted, discounted them because…well, he was Percy, and he would not care so very much about losing Christianna because he could always just move on to someone else. But seeing the look of perplexed sadness marring his brother’s normally boyish, jubilant features made Phineas feel not just like a rogue but also as if he were a traitor.
I have deceived my brother and stolen the heart of his fiancée. I am not worthy of the brotherly affection he is showing toward me now.
“I must unburden myself to you, too,” Phineas said quietly. “I think it is time we evaluated our situation and came to a right understanding.”
“I fully agree,” Percy murmured.
Cuh…cuh…uhhhh…
The cough that burbled out of Uncle Felton was weak, but it was followed by the words, “Boys…my boys….”
“Felton.” Phineas abandoned the conversation with Percy at once when he heard those words escape Felton’s lips. It had been nearly thirty-six hours since his friend had spoken a single syllable. And as Phineas feared these might be the last words he ever heard his dearest friend mutter, he did not dare miss one of them, even if it meant casting aside a conversation that indubitably needed to take place.
