Sir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4) (18 page)

“How wonderful it is to be waited on,” sighed Lady Fortescue, and they all agreed, just as if they did not have John and Betty to wait on them back at the hotel. “We are fully booked for the whole Season despite the horrendous amount of money we are charging.”

“We are all the crack,” said Sir Philip. “They no longer stay with us to economize on the price of a town house and I believe the matchmaking mamas think they have only to check their plainest daughter in with us to get her married off.”

“I miss that actor, Davy,” said the colonel, ignoring Sir Philip’s sudden scowl. “Friendly fellow. Always good for a laugh.”

“Then I have a surprise for you,” said Lady Fortescue. “I have purchased tickets for the play. We will all go to see him this very evening.”

“Oh, rapture!” cried Miss Tonks, clasping her hands.

“Oh, be still, my heart,” sneered Sir Philip.

But nothing could damp Miss Tonks’ pleasure for the rest of that evening. With shining eyes, she watched Mr. Davy performing Mirabell, thinking with wonder that she actually knew this god, had talked to him, and that he had said he would miss her.

Only Sir Philip grumbled after the play when Lady Fortescue proposed they go backstage. So once more Miss Tonks stood in the Green Room, once more Mr. Davy kissed her hand, and she treasured every look and every gesture.

***

As Miss Tonks indulged in celibate love, the earl and Arabella tumbled about the great double bed in the hotel’s finest apartment, exploring each other’s bodies, until Arabella said in a wondering voice, “I never thought I could ever behave in such a shameless way.”

“You were shameless enough going to the Pantheon in that dreadful costume.”

Arabella had a longing to tell him that it had been Sir Philip’s idea all along, but she had given Sir Philip her word and could not break it even now.

“How long do we stay here?” she asked.

“A few days, and then we will go to Italy. And then, after a long time, we will come back and tell Lady Carruthers that there is no way she is going to live with us.”

“Mama expects it!”

“Mama can go back to concentrating on getting married herself and leaving us alone.” He gathered her to him, pulling her close against his naked body. “Kiss me again, Arabella. I can never have enough of you.”

And so the engrossed couple did not hear the quiet footsteps of the poor relations as they made their way up to their sitting-room.

***

“Play us a tune, Sir Philip,” ordered Lady Fortescue.

“I will play something for Miss Tonks,” he said, “for I have never seen her look better.”

He smiled at Miss Tonks affectionately and then flipped up his coat-tails and sat down at the piano and began to play.

But Lady Fortescue, noticing that Miss Tonks’ eyes were full of happy dreams, knew what had caused that rare illusion of beauty to lighten the spinster’s usually plain face.

Miss Tonks was in love.

And not with Sir Philip Sommerville!