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Phoebe looked at her sister in surprise. “What do you mean? I thought he treated everyone very much the same way.”

Alice shook her head. “Well, to the best of my recollection—and Colin’s—he has never come running to ask about any woman’s particular preferences the way he has been hanging around Blackthorn, asking what’s your favorite pastries.”

“He did?”

Alice nodded emphatically. “Oh, yes, he did exactly that until Colin had to drag him out to allow us a moment’s peace, and even then, the poor man implored me to put it all down in writing, at least.”

“I struggle to think of Ethan as a ‘poor man’.” Phoebe laughed a little.

“Not in terms of wealth, no. But he is new to all of this, my dear, as are you.” Alice looked at her kindly, her eyes shining with the wisdom she had garnered in the two years she had been married to her husband.

“Give yourselves the grace to explore your bond and give your heart the space to unfold,” she urged. “This marriage is betweenthe both of you. You need not look at how others go about their own unions—and most ton marriages are not examples you should follow, anyway.”

“Except yours and Evie’s,” Phoebe pointed out with a slight smile.

“Oh, we have had our challenges, I assure you.” Alice rolled her eyes. “But like I said—this is between you and him.”

Phoebe nodded and looked at her hands clasped in Alice’s warm ones. She turned her hand over and gave her sister’s a slight squeeze.

“I really, truly am glad you are feeling better now,” she choked out. “I would not know what to do without you, Alice. I swear I would not.”

“Oh, you poor dear,” Alice sighed, reaching out to cup her face affectionately. “You give yourself far too little credit, Phoebe—you always have. You are stronger than you think, and far braver than you assume. I have every confidence that you will do beautifully, as you always have.”

The two sisters hugged each other and sat there quietly. Phoebe leaned her head gently against Alice’s shoulder the way she used to when they were children and she needed comfort.

“Alice?”

“Yes, my dearest?”

“I am glad I came to look at naked paintings with you.”

Alice burst into laughter, and Phoebe did, too.

In the past, she would never have referred to such works of art so callously. Her words and actions had always been chosen so carefully so as not to offend anyone.

For once in her life, she was able to call things exactly as she felt without fear of repercussions or judgment.

Perhaps Ethan did have a good influence on her.

There was a time when a trip to White’s would have been enough to relieve him of whatever was bothering him at the moment. A bit of alcohol and the company of an alluring woman would have been enough to clear his mind and set it straight once more.

Now, seated away from where most of the excitement stirred in the exclusive club, all he could think of was getting back to Sinclair Estate or his townhouse. It was truly not worth the overpriced whiskey he was getting.

I should just finish this and return to the townhouse.

As far as he could recall, he had three more bottles of his favorite brandy in his study. He did notice that recently, he seemed to be going through his stash far faster than he usually did…

Besides, he needed to prepare for the damned Cartwright ball that evening, and he had not even asked Phoebe yet what she was going to wear. If that dress she had worn at the opera had been any indication of what she was hiding in her wardrobe, then he was bound for a long night indeed.

Even now, the thought of her in a similar masterpiece had him almost crawling back to Sinclair Estate on his knees if it had not been for the fact that he knew she was out with Alice that afternoon, looking at damned paintings.

I could very well show up at the gallery.

But unlike his wife and sister-in-law, he would not be there to admire the paintings.

No, Ethan had othermuch betterthings on his mind.

The thought of pinning Phoebe to the wall amidst rows of paintings while he thrust into her was indeed tempting. Perhaps they should try it one of these days in Sinclair Estate’s extensive gallery, although he was uncertain if the exercise would be as enjoyable with dozens of Audley ancestors looking down on them with great displeasure.