Page 48 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“Oh Lord, I do wish I could get out of this gathering,” he mumbled, standing on the landing torn between going to Miss Alice or downstairs.
“Phillip, our guests have arrived!” Lady Davina shouted up to him as she spotted him. “Please, do go and change out of your dinner attire. Your valet awaits you.”
That was it then. He couldn’t go to Miss Alice yet. He’d just have to encourage the soiree to finish early; then he might catch her last thing in the evening before she slept.
“Yes, yes, I am on my way,” he replied to Lady Davina, heading towards his room to change.
His valet had already prepared an outfit for him, and with his assistance, he was soon ready to head downstairs. As he did so, some of the guests spotted him, and he gave them a faux smile.
“Lord and Lady Thornbury,” he said, bowing his head to them. “How good of you to attend our little gathering,”
“Oh, we had to.” Lady Thornbury giggled back at him. “Lady Davina mentioned that you are seeking advice on hosting a ball, and so here I am to offer all my experience.”
“I see; that is most kind of you, Lady Thornbury,” he said, not letting on that he had no idea what she was talking about. What had his stepsister been up to now?
He greeted many more couples who said much the same. At one point, Mr Eli also approached him to tell him how excited the guests were at assisting him with the planning of a ball. Phillip didn’t have the heart to tell his friend he knew nothing about it.
At least now he knew what his stepsister was up to with this gathering, and he could see she’d invited some influential people.
“I see that you are now suitably dressed,” Lady Davina said, fussing over him as she straightened his cravat. “I am glad you put on the outfit I asked your valet to lay out for you; what took you so long?”
“I went to visit the children after dinner,” he said, not explaining any further.
“You did not visit them in this suit, did you?” she asked with urgency. “Let me check there are no stains. Children can be very dirty.”
With everyone around them, he felt it better not to say anything, but she was grinding on his nerves yet again. How she was so good at that fascinated him, but he was more convinced now that she had to return to France.
He left her side and entered the drawing room at the first opportunity. It was full of guests milling around, drinking, and eating. He could see Mr Eli at the other end of the room in a conversation with the family solicitor, and he made his way through the crowd. After being greeted by the small group of men, Phillip took Mr Eli’s elbow and led him away.
“Come with me if you will, Eli,” he whispered as he made his way from the drawing room to the library.
Closing the library door behind them, Phillip breathed a sigh of relief.
“Is it wise to be hiding away from your guests, Phillip?” Mr Eli asked, looking concerned.
“If I must put up that so-called stepsister of mine, I swear, my head will explode!” Phillip remarked. “You are my friend, Eli, so help me find an excuse to send her packing.”
Mr Eli was aware that Phillip wasn’t over fond of his stepsister and knew of his love for Miss Alice. He was a good friend to confide in, having known him for many years.
“I’m assuming you’ve heard the rumours, as I’m sure that’s what our meeting is about?” Mr Eli asked with raised brows.
“What news? What rumours?” Phillip asked, assuming it was something unrelated to his present problem.
“Word has spread like wildfire that you are seeking advice on whether or not you can marry your stepsister,” he said, looking glum at bearing such news. “Or so I am told by the ladies.”
“That damn woman!” Phillip said, banging one hand into the other in frustration.
“She has had her uses though, Phillip. I mean, look at all your important guests,” Mr Eli pointed out, hoping his revelation might cheer him. “And you are going to host a ball. That has to be a good thing, doesn’t it?”
“Not when I am utterly miserable, it is not, Eli,” Phillip said, sitting on a chair by the table. Putting his elbows on the table, he leaned his head into his hands in frustration.
Mr Eli went to sit opposite him at the table. “What can I do to help?”
“Nothing, nothing is to be done, Eli, but while I am busy trying to dodge my stepsister, I cannot plan my future with the woman I truly love,” Phillip moaned. “It is Miss Alice I want to find a way to be with, not Lady bloomin’ Davina Katz.”
Mr Eli smiled at his friend’s expression, and as he was about to reply, the library door burst open behind him. Only one person would open a door with such gusto, Lady Davina.
“Phillip, you must come and mingle among your guests,” she demanded, going to stand by Phillip. “What are you doing in here chatting with one of your servants?”
