The Irresistible Miss Peppiwell(64)
Anthony froze. “The hell, you say!”
Sebastian laughed. “She was quite amazing. So I thought instead of choosing one of the vapid, shallow misses who pepper the ton, I would prefer a bold and adventurous woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. Which, she certainly isn’t,” he added drily. “Although I’ve come to realize that my days would be far more peaceful with a more biddable wife.”
They exchanged a look and both laughed.
“But not nearly as interesting, I wager.” Anthony wondered if Sebastian saw how he came alive when he spoke of her.
He decided he should make a clean breast of it to his brother concerning his halfhearted pursuit of Lady Jocelyn. Anthony didn’t want any doubts on Sebastian’s part about how far things did or did not go between himself and the duchess. Just in case any of it played a role in that little scene moments ago. He concluded by explaining about the locket.
He felt Sebastian’s glance and thoughtful nod, and they went on to speak of other things. He was grateful the topic of his illegitimacy did not come up again. Anthony did not want every conversation to center on that and what they would do about it. They settled into their easy camaraderie, their conversation only becoming tense when Anthony mentioned their mother. That was one subject Sebastian categorically refused to engage in. Anthony wondered if he would ever forgive her. He was pretty sure his brother’s difficulty with love in all its forms stemmed from their mother’s dishonorable treatment of his father.
But Anthony had forgiven their mother, and had always kept himself open to the idea of love and family. As a result, perhaps, he had found a perfect love with Phillipa. The laughter, the joy, the companionship, the trust, that was what made life worth living.
…
Christmas Day
Phillipa stood in the bracing cold of the garden, fingering the resilient petals of a bloodred winter rose that lingered on a snow-covered bush. Tomorrow she would wed Anthony again, but this time it would be properly in a church. Which would make their union respectable for all the world to see and criticize if they wished. She hoped the news of their nuptials would dampen some of the scandal swirling about them.
She had missed her husband fiercely in the days they had been apart. But she had also welcomed spending a little time with her family. Time to explain the details they weren’t aware of. Time to heal their relationships.
Phillipa’s mother and her aunt, Lady Merryweather, had quickly forgotten their vehement objections to her marrying Anthony when the Duke of Calydon had let it be known in no uncertain terms, that he fully supported his brother and would sever ties with anyone who dared to cut Anthony. However, Phillipa knew the true test would come when the beau monde returned to London for the season. Not being ostracized by Society was a vastly different thing than being embraced…or even accepted.
There was one bright note, though. Sebastian’s sudden marriage meant that, with any luck, Anthony would soon be replaced as the duke’s heir apparent. Thank God for that. Neither he nor Phillipa relished the weight of that responsibility, and were overjoyed at the welcome development.
Now she only needed to get through Christmas and the wedding. Then social obligations would be fulfilled, and she and her husband could go about the business of living their lives.
She lifted her head and glanced in through the windows of Sherring Cross as laughter spilled into the air. She smiled at the joyous sounds and shrieks from Lady Jocelyn’s young brother and sisters, and her own sister, Phoebe, as they romped. Phillipa’s entire family had traveled to the duke’s country home for the holiday feast and the wedding. Constance and Anthony’s mother and his true father, Lord Radcliffe, were also both present. It had been poignant watching the tentative and growing relationships of the new family emerge. Connections once hidden, and now highly unconventional, had wrought some awkward moments. But overall, nearly everyone seemed overjoyed at the possibilities for the future.
Lady Jocelyn’s family was also present, her father and sisters and her brother. Phillipa liked them tremendously.
Laughter and joy had burned bright as they exchanged gifts on Christmas morning, played parlor games, and simply basked in each other’s presence. Phillipa had never felt so content and hopeful.
“What on earth are you doing out here? It is too cold. You’ll catch your death.”
She shifted, her heart swelling with love as Anthony made his way into the garden. She gathered the small bouquet of red roses in her lap and held them up to her nose. “I cut these for Payton’s room.” She tilted her head toward the solarium, where her sister sat despondently. “Her heart is breaking.”