“I told a very close friend about you. About both my letter-writer and you, Griffin Fenwick.” She looked up at him from beneath the brim of her hat. “She said I ought to meet my anonymous friend. She said, in fact, that the moment I laid eyes upon him I would know if I could care for him. You see, your letters made me curious. Then they rather enchanted me.”
Griffin leaned closer, his eyes upon hers. “And? Now that you have laid eyes upon me?”
Her smile grew. She tipped her chin up bravely. “Griffin. I find I rather adore you, and if you do not ask to call upon me, if you do not seek my brother out and inquire after a courtship, I will be grievously disappointed.” For a moment, her eyes glimmered with worry.
Griffin pulled in a sharp breath of air. “Phoebe, my dearest, most lovely friend. I rather intend to do more than court you. In fact, if you will permit me, I should rather like to kiss you.”
A grin burst upon her beautiful face. Phoebe stood upon her toes, tilting her face toward his. They met in what little space remained between them, heedless of anyone watching, and sealing their fate, rather happily. Her lips were soft, sweet, and his free hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer. He had longed to kiss her since the night of the play; it was better than even his dreams. Everything felt warm, and right, and Griffin knew in the instant their lips touched that he would spend the rest of his life craving Phoebe’s kisses.
When they parted, her hat tipped back rather perilously after their kiss, Griffin kept her close. “A courtship is all well and good, my love. But it will be terribly short.”
Her already pink cheeks darkened, and her eyes gleamed. “I find I do not mind that idea. My dearest friend.” Then she laughed. “To think, I owe my present happiness to your horrid duel in the park.”
He joined in her laughter and remained with her in the park, walking hand-in-hand, a rather confused groom walking several paces behind, until it began to rain.
Epilogue
Letter to a Friend
To My Dear Daphne,
I have the most wonderful news to share. I am engaged to be married to Mr. Griffin Fenwick, the very gentleman we discussed less than a fortnight ago. He is everything I could wish for in a husband, attentive, kind, witty, and deeply in love with me. You must know how I have always had a plan, mapped out my life to suit what I thought best. I certainly never planned on falling in love with someone as spontaneous and ridiculous as my darling Griffin.
You may, perhaps, wonder what happened to my mysterious friend. You will never guess! Griffin and the anonymous friend are the same person. I will tell you all about it when next we meet. I hope it will be soon. If you are still in London in a fortnight, I hope you will attend the wedding ceremony. I have written our other friends to let them know, and have invited them to come if they are able.
Daphne, I do hope you are well. I could tell there was something on your mind when last we met. I have a feeling you might need the bracelet. Not that I think it is especially lucky or anything. But I cannot deny that having it these past weeks has given me a measure of comfort and courage as I remembered you and the other girls.
When I see you at my wedding, the bracelet will be yours.
I wish you well with all my heart.
Yours Most Sincerely,
Phoebe Kimball