Mary Anne saw her coming; agitation instantly filled her blue eyes. "No!" she hissed, before Phyllida could say a word. "You must see it's impossible. You have to find the letters-you promised!"
"I would have thought that by now you'd see-"
"It's you who don't see! Once you find the letters and give them back to me, then you can tell him, if you're so sure you must." Mary Anne literally wrung her hands, then her gaze flicked past Phyllida. "Oh, heavens! There's Robert-I must rescue him before Papa comers him."
With that, she all but fled across the room.
Phyllida watched her go, not entirely able to hide her frown. She'd never seen Mary Anne so overset. "What on earth is in those letters?"
Swinging to face the room, she scanned the guests to see if any needed her hostessly attention, only to discover Lucifer crossing the room toward her, the look in his eye signaling that he required precisely that. She waited; he halted beside her, and joined her in considering the room.
"Your bosom-bow, Miss Farthingale-what's the situation between her and Collins?"
"Situation?"
He glanced at her. "Farthingale looked ready to have an apoplectic fit when Collins arrived with Crabbs. Mrs. Farthingale looked thoroughly taken aback, and then grimly, tight-lippedly, resigned. I've been following your father's lead in stepping in with distractions all evening-it would be helpful to know what game we're all playing."
Phyllida met his eyes. "Star-crossed lovers, but we're hoping this version will end without tragedy." She looked across the room to where Robert Collins was speaking with Henrietta Longdon, who happened to be sitting beside Mary Anne on the chaise. "Mary Anne and Robert have been sweethearts since they first met. That was six years ago. They'd be perfect for each other but for one thing."
"Collins has no fortune."
"Precisely. Mr. Farthingale forbade the connection, but despite Robert living in Exeter, meetings always seem to occur, and Mary Anne has remained absolutely adamant."
"For six years? Most parents would have yielded by now."
"Mr. Farthingale is very stubborn. So is Mary Anne."
"So who'll win?"
"Mary Anne. Luckily, quite soon. Robert will shortly complete the requirements for registration. Crabbs has already offered him a place. Once Robert is practicing, he'll be able to support a wife, and then Mr. Farthingale will capitulate because he won't have any choice."
"So Farthingale's apoplexy is all for show?"
"In a way. It's expected, but it's not as if Robert isn't presentable." He might be too meek, too conservative, too nonassertive, but his birth was acceptable. "That said, the Farthingales wouldn't have expected Robert to be here this evening. Everyone hereabouts knows the situation; we all avoid doing anything to exacerbate it."
"What happened tonight?"
Phyllida looked at Lady Huddlesford, holding court by the hearth. "I'm not sure. It's possible my aunt, who spends two or three months here every year, forgot and innocently invited Robert along with Crabbs."
"But…?"
Phyllida's lips twitched. "Under that careworn exterior, she's rather
a romantic. I suspect she imagines she's easing the star-crossed lovers' path."
"Ah."
The syllable was heavy with worldly cynicism. Phyllida glanced up-and saw Percy bearing down on them.
He nodded to Lucifer, his gaze fixed on her. "I wonder, cuz, whether I could have a private word with you?"
About what? Phyllida swallowed the ungracious reply. "Of course."
Percy smiled at Lucifer. "Family business, don't y'know."
Lucifer bowed.
Inclining her head in reply, Phyllida put her hand on Percy's sleeve and let him escort her through the open French doors and onto the terrace. Withdrawing her hand from his arm, she walked to the balustrade.