Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton

Chapter 28

Jamison’s reunion with Miss Vane was perfectly nauseating. He went to Phoebe first, of course, evaluating her from head to toe. But after a thorough, albeit quick, visual examination, his attention turned to Miss Vane while his brothers continued the inspection of their sister.

“Are you sure you are unharmed?” Jamison asked Miss Vane. He reached out to touch her, reaching first for her shoulder, then for her cheek, but he stopped short of actually making contact, and his hands hung emptily in the air. He finally scooped up her fingers in his own and bent over her hand. “I’ve been beyond worried.”

Franklin could well relate to the feeling, wanting to touch, to embrace, to ensure oneself that the woman he loved was unscathed and whole.

Tears hung in Hannah’s eyes as she answered, “I am well, thanks to Phoebe.” She pulled her hand back into her lap. “She was very brave . . .” Abraham pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and passed it to Jamison, who then offered it to Miss Vane.

Peter looked over Phoebe again, then glanced at Miss Vane. “What happened?”

Phoebe sighed her resignation at reliving the story and repeated to her brothers all that had transpired.

“When I came upon them, the kidnapper was knocked senseless,” Franklin said. “I remained to guard him while Phoebe and Hannah rode his horse to Primly Park to get help.”

Jamison huffed in frustration and spoke to no one in particular. “To think you were so near the entire time.”

Abraham’s eyes had darkened several shades. “Which stableboy dared deliver the letter?” he seethed. “His actions are reprehensible.” He took two steps to the door before Phoebe called out.

“Abraham, please,” she said. “He knew no better. Mr. Everly has reprimanded him thoroughly. He is frightened quite enough.”

Franklin shrugged. He would not apologize for reproaching the lad. The boy’s actions had put Phoebe in danger, though she had argued that, without his interference, Hannah would not have been saved.

Abraham’s jaw remained taut, but he remained in the room.

“Ah,” Peter said, jutting his chin toward the front windows. “Miss Vane’s parents have arrived.” He craned his neck farther. “Lord Granby is here as well.”

The look Jamison shared with Hannah only confirmed he was a smitten fool. Then he squared his shoulders and gave a deft nod. “I shall meet with Lord Granby.”

Franklin quickly rose to his feet. “Allow me,” he said. “You should remain with Miss Vane and console her parents.”

Peter covered his mouth with his fist. “The pact,” he said, then feigned a cough.

“Abraham and Peter should go as well,” Phoebe said.

Franklin smiled. “Would you care to join me?” he asked them.

“Come, Peter,” Abraham said. “Let us see this man who has caused so much havoc before Lord Granby takes him for questioning.”

“Very well,” Peter said. “But, Geoffrey . . .” He shook a finger at his brother and opened his mouth to say something further, but Abraham clapped him on the back.

“Let it be,” Abraham said. And the three men left the room.

***

Franklin sat in a darkened corner of the library. Phoebe glanced at him, and he gave a quick wink before she returned her attention to her eldest brother. Jamison fluctuated between relief and fury. “I am beyond angry with you, Phoebe. How foolish could one be!” He walked from where he stood at the mantel to stand before Phoebe. He grabbed both of her shoulders, looked into her eyes, and then pulled her into a tight hug. Franklin’s relief at her well-being mirrored that of her brothers. He planned to hold her just as tightly once he could find a moment alone with her.

Abraham stood with fisted hands near the library window. “Phoebe is well. Miss Vane is safely returned to her family. That is all that matters,” he said.

Phoebe wiggled her arms free and pushed Jamison back. “You are smothering me, and my ribs hurt quite enough.” She straightened her skirt.

Peter sat on the nearby settee. His jaw tightened. “Phoebe, you could have disappeared. We would have never known your fate. You are stubborn to a fault.” He stood and spun to face Franklin. He planted his hands on his hips and shook his head. “How could you allow her to go ahead alone?”

Franklin stood to defend himself. “You only just commented on her stubbornness. Do you truly think she gave me an option? That I didn’t try to convince her otherwise?” He took a calming breath. A glance at Phoebe curbed his ire. He loved every ounce of her, and that meant he accepted her fiery charm as well as her mulishness. “Had I arrived with Phoebe, the kidnapper may very well have killed Miss Vane.” He retook his seat.

Phoebe walked to where Peter stood and placed her hand upon his arm. “Peter, I am unharmed.”

“For which I am immensely grateful,” Peter said.

Franklin agreed. He could not imagine life without the spirited woman before him.

Phoebe turned toward her eldest brother. “Why did you not tell me you met with Hannah’s father?”

Abraham’s eyes narrowed, and Peter’s mouth fell open. “You did what?” Peter asked.

Jamison ignored his brothers and looked at Phoebe. “You’ve admonished me multiple times in regards to Miss Vane. To be truthful, I was not certain you would approve of my suit. I wished to be sure of her affection before I informed you.”

“But the pact!” Peter nearly shouted.

“The pact does not matter if Phoebe approves the match,” Abraham said with eerie calm. “What say you, Phoebe?”

“Hmm.” Phoebe pressed her lips tight and evaluated Jamison. “I think Geoffrey will make Hannah a very happy woman.”

Jamison grinned. “Truly?”

Phoebe nodded. Jamison wrapped his arms around her and lifted her feet from the floor. “Thank heaven you and Miss Vane are safe,” he said and set her back on the floor.

Phoebe stepped back. “Four other victims cannot say the same. Let us not dwell on what could have been but focus on how we can help the girls that remain missing.”

“Lord Granby will find them. He’s questioning the kidnapper himself even now, and I doubt Lord Granby will be civil,” Abraham said as he stared at Phoebe. He walked to her and put his hand on top of her head. “We love you, Phoebe. And we are glad for your safety. Please promise you will never worry me like that again.”

Phoebe reached up and removed Abraham’s hand from her head to hold it in her own. She smiled. “I promise.”

Franklin coughed from his quiet corner. “Promise?” he repeated with a scoff.

Phoebe’s eyes widened, and her lips pushed into a straight line. “Do you have something to say, Mr. Everly?”

Franklin again pushed out of his chair and slowly walked forward. He came to stand between Abraham and Jamison, where he rested his splinted arm across his middle and, with the other hand, tapped a finger on his chin. He turned abruptly to face Phoebe. “Did you not promise to remain indoors while your brothers and I searched for Miss Vane?”

Phoebe huffed and planted her hands on her hips. “Well, yes, but once the note arrived—”

“Ah.” Franklin held up a single finger. “I do not dispute your reasoning. But despite your promise, you left the house, putting yourself in great danger. Thankfully, you stand there unharmed . . . and beautiful.”

Phoebe relaxed her stance, and a tinge of blush touched her cheeks.

“Did you not also promise a reward to the winner of our last race?” Franklin asked.

Phoebe’s lips turned down in a pout, and Franklin found her frustration adorable. “I . . . did. However, if you recall . . . my horse—”

“Alas,” Franklin said loudly, holding a hand in the air and cutting off her explanation. “You have yet to grant the reward. Another promise yet to be fulfilled.” He made a valiant attempt to remain sober, yet the corners of his lips twitched upward.

Phoebe’s voice softened. “I do not regret aiding Hannah. I would defy my promise a hundred times if it meant her safe return. And with regard to your accusation about the horse race”—she lifted her chin and took a step forward—“a winner was never officially declared.”

“My dear Phoebe.” Franklin closed the distance between them and lifted her hands into his own. “I wish to ask you something. But it is a vow you must never break.”

“Gads,” Abraham mumbled to himself and returned to his place near the window. Peter dropped his head with a sigh. And from where he stood near his sister, Geoffrey smiled wide.

Franklin’s thumbs slid across the backs of Phoebe’s hands. “I promise to love you, to cherish you, always. Is it too much to hope you might promise the same?”

The dappled green of her eyes turned a shade brighter. “You have captured my heart, Franklin Everly.”

“Then, you agree . . . nay, you want to become my wife?”

“I long for it,” Phoebe said. Then, in a most tempting display, her lips turned upward, and her cheeks flushed. “As you were my rescuer, I believe you are crowned victor of the race. May I grant my reward?”

“Now?” Franklin drew back and looked around the room at the Jamison brothers.

Peter gave a mocking scoff, threw one hand in the air, then winked before he walked out of the room.

Abraham rubbed a hand across his brow as he ducked his head and exited after Peter.

Jamison placed a hand on Franklin’s shoulder as he walked past. “One misstep and you’ll regret it.”

Phoebe watched her brothers depart. Then she placed one hand on the side of Franklin’s face, and with the other, she tugged on his cravat to lower his lips to her own. Franklin smiled beneath her lips. Then, kissing her back, he wrapped his splinted arm around her and pulled her body to his. The fingers of his right hand tangled in her vibrant hair. Phoebe linked her arms around his neck, and the kiss transformed from tender to intoxicating.

Franklin pulled away, his chest heaving. “Does that mean you promise?” he asked.

“Forever,” Phoebe answered breathlessly. And Franklin kissed her again.