Philloise Re-Written

Chapter Eleven

. . . cannot abide a man who drinks to excess. Which is just one of many reasons why I rejected Lord Wescott's suit.

—from Eloise Bridgerton to her brother Benedict, upon refusing to dance with yet another suitor her mother presented her with.

"No!" gushed Sophie Bridgerton, Benedict's petite and almost ethereal-looking wife. "They didn't!"

"They did," Penelope chimed in, as Eloise sat back in her lawn chair and sipped a cup of lemonade. "And then they all got drunk!"

"Fiends," Sophie muttered, leading Eloise to realize that what she'd really been sick of the night before was that horribly chummy and collegial manner of men. Clearly, all she'd needed was the company of more than one sensible female with whom she might disparage them.

Sophie scowled. "Churlish fools, the lot of them." Then her features softened in contemplation. "Though I do wonder about Anthony."

"What about him?" Eloise asked.

"You say he is willing to let you carry on in your role as governess to the baronet's wards, yes? Even going so far as to allow you control over your wages? That is rather generous, I rather think."

"Well yes," Eloise reluctantly agreed, dragging a hand across her face, "but only if I can get through this inane inspection of his."

Sophie looked inquisitively at Penelope, needing further explanation. She obligingly explained, "Anthony needs to see that the relationship between Eloise and Sir Phillip is entirely professional and," she deliberately cleared her throat and met Eloise's eye as she said, "platonic." Eloise abandoned her glass of lemonade as she sunk further into the chair, hiding her face with her hands. Penelope sat back in her own chair with a smug, satisfied smile.

Sophie's eyebrows rose and she turned on Eloise with a devious grin, "Platonic, you say? Would that be a problem, Eloise? You are only his employee, after all." Sophie and Penelope shared a knowing look.

Eloise sat up but refused to look either of them in the eye as she spoke. "Of course it won't be a problem. There is nothing going on between me and Phillip that would make Anthony or any of my brothers or even you two the least bit suspicious. Obviously."

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Sophie accused in a sing-songy voice as she moved to sit next to Penelope, both of them now facing Eloise.

"Or maybe the lady doth protest just enough?" Eloise challenged, though it was not enough to dissuade her interrogators.

"So there is absolutely nothing between you and Phillip?" Penelope asked.

Eloise gulped. "No. We... I..." She sighed. The others leaned in. "Fine, we kissed."

It was as if they had stepped into a cattery. Eloise's two closest friends, her sisters, were on their feet caterwauling and squealing in delight. She could only look on, shaking her head at their antics.

"Haha! I knew it!" Penelope declared, victory colouring her cheeks as she pointed accusingly at Eloise, "I knew there was something between you. Colin owes me five pounds!"

"Will you two keep your voices down! My brothers could hear you at any moment." Eloise whispered as loud as she could as she pulled the two ladies back down to their loungers. "Now please, you have to help me. If Anthony or any of the others find out about whatever this is between Phillip and I," Penelope and Sophie's giggles were cut short by Eloise's savage glare, "then I will be bound for the altar, which is a fate I would much rather avoid."

Penelope and Sophie stared at Eloise blankly, not sure if they heard her correctly.

"You do not wish to marry him?" Sophie asked.