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After a brief e, the lady’s maid opened the door a bit wider, and Phoebe’s brother Ivo stuck his head inside
“Hullo, sis,” he said casually “You look very nice in that gold dress”
“It’s ecru” At his perplexed look, she repeated, “Ecru”
“God bless you,” Ivo said, and gave her a cheeky grin as he entered the room
Phoebe lifted her gaze heavenward “Why are you here, Ivo?”
“I’o alone”
Phoebe was so moved, she couldn’t speak She could only stare at the eleven-year-old boy, as volunteering to take the place her husband would have assumed
“It was Father’s idea,” Ivo continued, a touch bashfully “I’m sorry I’m not as tall as the other ladies’ escorts, or even as tall as you I’m really only half an escort But that’s still better than nothing, isn’t it?” His expression turned uncertain as he saw that her eyes atering
After clearing her throat, Phoebe allant Ivo, you tower above every other gentleman here I’m so very honored”
He grinned and offered her his aresture she had seen him practice in the past with their father “The honor is mine, sis”
In that moment, Phoebe had the briefest intirown
“Wait,” she said “I have to decide what to do about my dress”
“Why do you have to do so about it?”
“It’s tooflagrant”
Her brother cocked his head, his gaze traveling over the dress “Is that one of Pandora’s words?”
“No, it’s a dictionary word Itout like a sore thumb”
“Sis You and I are always flagrant” Ivo pointed to his red hair “When you have this, you have no choice but to be noticed Go on and wear that dress I like it, and Gabriel will like it that you look pretty for his wedding-eve dinner”
A co from a boy not yet twelve Phoebe studied him with fond pride “Very well, you’ve talked me into it,” she said reluctantly
“Goodnessrelieved
Phoebe smiled at her “Don’t wait up here for me, Ernestine—take some time for yourself, and have dinner in the servants’ hall with the others”
“Thank you, ma’am”
Phoebe took Ivo’s arm and let hirand central staircase, she glanced at his fore trousers, a white waistcoat, and a black satin bow tie “You’ve graduated to long trousers,” she exclaimed
“A year early,” Ivo boasted
“How did you talk Mother into it?”
“I told her a fellow has his pride, and as far as I was concerned, wearing short trousers is like going about with your pants at half-hed so hard, she had to set down her teacup, and the next day the tailor came to measure me for a suit Now the Hunt twins can’t make fun of ustus, were the youngest offspring of Mr and Mrs Simon Hunt, who had been close friend to the Challons since before Phoebe had been born
“The twins made fun of you?” Phoebe asked in surprised concern “But you’ve always been great friends with them”
“Yes, that’s what fellows do We call our friends names like ‘Spoony’ or ‘Knobby-knees’ The better the friend, the worse the insult”
“But why not be nice?”
“Because we’re boys” Ivo shrugged as he saw her bewilderraratulations on your wedding I’m sorry I won’t be there to warn your bride about what a useless arse-wedge you are All my love, Raphael’”