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Phoebe couldn’t help laughing “That sounds like hih I’ve never understood why I suppose lad Henry wasn’t I never heard him mock or tease anyone”

“He was a nice man,” Ivo said reflectively “Different I miss him”

Her hand tightened on his arm in an affectionate squeeze

To Phoebe’s relief, the gathering in the drawing roo than she’d expected Her parents and Seraphina were there to keep her company, as were Lord and Lady Westcliff, whos had always called ‘Uncle Marcus’ and ‘Aunt Lillian’

Lord Westcliff’s hunting estate, Stony Cross Park, was located in Hampshire, not far froinally been an American heiress froh Aunt Lillian had teasingly invited Phoebe to have her pick of any of her robust and handsome sons, Phoebe had answered—quite truthfully—that such a union would have felt positively incestuous The Marsdens and the Challons had spent too ether and had known each other for too long for any ro

The Marsdens’ oldest daughter, Merritt, was one of Phoebe’s closest friends She had gone to Essex on several occasions to help when Henry was especially ill, caring for hiood humor In fact, Phoebe had trusted her iana, whose nerves had rarely been up to the task of nursing an invalid

“Darling Phoebe,” Merritt said, taking both of her hands, “how ravishing you are”

Phoebe leaned close to kiss her cheek “I feel ridiculous in this dress,” she murmured “I can’t think why I ever had it made in this fabric”

“Because I told you to,” Merritt said “I helped you order your trousseau at the dressmaker’s remember? You objected to the fabric at first, but I told you, ‘No woman should be afraid to sparkle’”

Phoebe chuckled ruefully “No one will ever sparkle as fearlessly as you, Merritt”

Lady Merritt Sterling was a vibrantly attractive woe, dark eyes, a wealth of lustrous sable hair, and a flawless porcelain complexion Unlike her two sisters, she had inherited the shorter, stockier frame of the Marsden side instead of the slender build of her mother Similarly, she had her father’s square-shaped face and determined jaw instead of her mother’s delicate oval one However, Merritt possessed a char that she eclipsed every other woman in the vicinity, no matter how beautiful

Merritt focused on who to with a wealth of sincere interest, as if she or he were the only person in the world She asked questions and listened without ever seeuest everyone invited when they needed to blend a group of disparate personalities, just as a roux would bind soup or sauce into velvety smoothness

It was no exaggeration to say that every man who met Merritt fell at least a little in love with her When she had entered society, countless suitors had pursued her before she’d finally consented to nate who had taken up residence in London

Drawing a little apart from their families, Phoebe and Merritt stole a few erly Phoebe told her friend about the encounter with West Ravenel, the proposed farm tour, and the presumptuous comments he’d made

“Poor Phoebe,” Merritt soothed “Men do love to explain things”

“It wasn’t explaining, it was a lecture’”

“How bothersome But one must allo people roo of friends”

“I don’t want to become friends with him, I want to avoid him”

Merritt hesitated before replying “No one could blame you, of course”

“But you think it’s a mistake?”

“Darling, opinions are tiresome, especially mine”

“Then you do think it’s a mistake”

Merritt looked syned, you’ll cross paths with him in the future It would be easier for all concerned, especially you, to keep things civil Would it be so difficult for you to give Mr Ravenel a second chance?”

Phoebe frowned and averted her gaze “It would be,” she said “For reasons I’d rather not explain”

She hadn’t reminded Merritt that West Ravenel was the childhood bully Henry had hated Soht to ss he’d done as a boy—it wouldn’t help anyone now

But Merritt stunned her by asking, “Because of what happened at boarding school?”

Phoebe’s eyes widened “You remember?”

“Yes, it was important to Henry Even in adulthood, the memory of Mr Ravenel was always a thorn in his side” Merritt paused reflectively “I think such events looer in our minds over time I wonder if it was perhaps easier for Henry to focus on a human adversary instead of a disease” She looked beyond Phoebe’s shoulder “Don’t turn around,” she said, “but there’s a gentlelances at you from across the room I’ve never seen him before I wonder if he’s your Mr Ravenel?”