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She was simplymiserable.

“There, there, now…” Scarlett rubbed soothing circles on Phoebe’s back. “Let it all out, dearest. The sorrow, the frustration, therage…”

A maid came in bearing a tray of cups and a platter of scones and set them on the table before the two ladies.

“What is that? That smells lovely.” Phoebe blinked, turning towards the cups.

Scarlett grinned and winked at her. “Hot chocolate, of course. Nothing like it for a broken heart.”

“But I thought we only drink hot chocolate for breakfast.”

“Not me,” the redhead said simply as she handed Phoebe a cup of the sweetened drink. “I can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner,andteatime.”

“Should you not have tea for teatime?” an amused voice spoke up from the doorway.

They both turned to find Evie standing there, looking at them with a raised eyebrow. Immediately, she rushed over to envelop Phoebe in a warm, supportive hug.

“Oh, you poor dear. I came as soon as Scarlett sent word,” she murmured.

“H-he… did not go to your estate yet?”

Hebeing Ethan.

Evie shook her head. “Not that I know, but if he did, I made sure to tell Daniel to sort him out before I left!”

Phoebe looked down at her cup, her lower lip trembling. “I do not think there is any sorting him out, Evie. The man is a hopeless case.”

“Well, they would say that aboutmyhusband as well…” Evie bit her lower lip with a sheepish smile.

“Do you think I should have stayed?” Phoebe looked at her best friend with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Should I have gone back to him?”

“Absolutely not!” Scarlett burst out.

“I quite agree with Scarlett on this one.” Evie nodded. “You must do what you think is good for you. Let Ethan sort himself out in the meantime. Or Daniel can do it for him if he insists on being a stubborn arse,” she added with a slight smile.

Phoebe let out a heavy sigh. “Well, he is a stubborn arse…”

“The very worst!” Scarlett declared supportively. “And if Ashton gives him a thrashing to get his head back on straight, I will say that he more than deserved it!”

“Well, let us pray it does not come to that,” Evie remarked, wrinkling her nose.

“Oh, but I do not think I can ever forgive him!” Phoebe burst into tears once more and covered her face with her hands. “I donot think there is any coming back after everything has been said and done!”

Her two friends responded with equally supportive hugs and more soothing words, although Scarlett was still quite vocal in favoring physical violence.

Phoebe, however, had no taste for it, so she drank her hot chocolate and continued to weep between railing about Ethan and how abominable he had been overall.

She was still in a sorry state when Alice arrived a little later, her face creased with anxiety and worry for her younger sister as she walked carefully into the parlor.

“Alice!” Phoebe gasped. “What are you doing here? You should be at home, resting?—”

Her older sister held up her hand with a soft smile to stop her blubbering.

“I am merely pregnant, Phoebe, not aninvalid,” Alice reminded her. “Of course, I will come to you in your time of need. I’ve also instructed Colin to talk some sense into Ethan, should he call.”

“I’ve said the same thing to Daniel,” Evie told her. “But knowing my brother, he is more likely to use his fists than waste time with words.”

Alice laughed. “You know your brother well, my dear. He does have that particular tendency. But we did not come here to talk about that.” She turned towards Phoebe, and the other ladies made space so she could sit beside her sister. “Have you informed Mama and Papa of your troubles already?”