Page 16 of The Elusive Phoebe (The Widows of Lavender Cottage #1)
Chapter Twelve
O ne week after her first delightful afternoon with the Widows, Phoebe found herself once again approaching Lady Joanna's estate. This time, however, she had been specifically invited to what Lillian described as "a more formal meeting—your official introduction to the Society."
The difference was immediately apparent.
Instead of the cheerful chaos of lawn games and practical demonstrations, today felt more ceremonial.
Phoebe was ushered into Lady Joanna's most elegant salon, a room she hadn't seen before, decorated entirely in feminine touches—delicate florals, soft lighting, and furniture that spoke of comfort and refinement.
It felt like a sanctuary designed by women, for women.
The footman announced her, and Lady Joanna turned from where she'd been arranging papers at a small writing desk.
When she saw Phoebe, her face filled with a genuinely warm smile.
"Oh, I'm so happy you have come." She held out her hands in welcome.
"Come, let us have a bit of a coze before the others arrive. "
"Am I early then?" Phoebe took her hands, noting the difference in atmosphere from their previous gathering. Today felt more significant somehow.
"I asked you to come before the others. We have things to discuss, and it's important for you to know how we do things with the group—the formal aspects we don't usually address during our social gatherings."
"I'm grateful for the guidance. After last week's.
.. educational session... I realize there's much more to your organization than I initially understood.
" Phoebe settled into the chair Lady Joanna indicated, still marveling at how much her perspective had changed since learning to wield a hat pin as a weapon.
"Tea?"
She nodded and accepted a cup. "It will also be nice to have more regular company. I've grown quite fond of everyone I met. "
"I imagine so. You've been living in much isolation before now, I understand?"
"Yes, with naught but servants for company." The words carried less bitterness now than they once had, thanks to her growing understanding of Robert's motivations.
"That is a crime. Oh, for a world when women could advocate for themselves, could get out of such situations without having to depend on the charity of others or the whims of male relatives.
" Lady Joanna's eyes blazed with passion that clearly ran much deeper than social reform. "But we do what we can, where we can."
"I am pleased to have escaped. I have Lillian to thank for alerting me to the availability of Lavender Cottage. Somerset is the most beautiful place I've ever seen."
"It is quite lovely. If all the widows in the country were to come live here, they would find great happiness, I do believe. And more importantly, they would find the tools to create their own happiness."
Phoebe replaced her teacup carefully. "I'd love to hear your story sometime. How you came to... all this." She gestured around the room, but her meaning encompassed much more than decor.
Lady Joanna waved her hand. "And you shall. But first, we must discuss the Society and our rules. What you experienced last week was our social and educational side, but today you'll be invited to join something more formal—something with responsibilities as well as benefits."
Phoebe felt a slight bristle at the word 'rules,' but kept her expression neutral. After what she'd witnessed of these women's capabilities, she was inclined to trust their judgment.
"We are more organized than most realize," Lady Joanna continued.
"You will be invited to join The Secret Society of Young Widows.
Most of the outside world knows us simply as an area with a higher population of widows, with me, the Dowager Marchioness, socializing with you all.
But much more goes on here than simple social gatherings. "
Phoebe leaned forward, intrigued. "I suspected as much after seeing everyone's... competence... last week."
"The rules are for your own benefit, but you must agree to them in order to be an official member." Lady Joanna's tone grew more formal. "Rule 1: Be a widow. Rule 2: Have an impeccable reputation. Rule 3: Don't fall in love again."
Phoebe nodded at the first two, but frowned at the third. "Believe me, I have no thoughts directed toward the trap of marriage ever again, but never fall in love again? Wouldn't there perhaps be a woman somewhere who would benefit from new love? Another marriage?"
Lady Joanna's smile was understanding but firm.
"Certainly. But we keep our heads about us.
A woman in love is not thinking with her head.
She's jumping in with full trust and hope to tie herself to a man.
And she makes unhealthy choices regarding her future, her rights, her finances, and more.
If we choose to marry again, we treat it like a business arrangement. We do not let love rule the day."
Phoebe considered this, thinking of her own situation—both her past marriage arranged by her father and her current complicated feelings about Archie. "I could have used this knowledge the first time."
"And likely your father negotiated for you." Lady Joanna shook her head. "Which might have been your only recourse at the time. But not now. As a widow, even a young one, you have the sole responsibility for your own life, your decisions, your finances, and your future contracts."
The implications of such freedom still felt overwhelming to Phoebe.
It sounded wonderfully too good to be true, but she was ready to embrace it.
"I am ready to agree to every one of those rules.
And thank you. I shall rely on your help and expertise, I'm certain, through many moments that are to come.
" She paused, thinking of her complicated inheritance situation.
"With any luck, I will not be needing any marriage contract assistance. "
Lady Joanna tilted her head to the side, her expression knowing. "Be that as it may, you will learn about marriage contracts. We all do."
"Oh?"
"Yes, at all our formal meetings we have time set aside for our own growth and learning.
Today, for example, we will discuss what to do in the event that you do remarry—what could happen to whatever inheritance you have from your late husband, how to protect your assets, how to maintain your independence even within marriage. "
Phoebe nodded thoughtfully. "I think I need to keep details of my particular situation close at the moment."
Lady Joanna's smile was approving. "I recommend it. These ladies are trustworthy, but your own level of comfort here will come in time. Also, widows with substantial inheritances are vulnerable prey for men looking to add to their coffers. Discretion is always wise."
The comment hit closer to home than Lady Joanna could know.
Phoebe wanted desperately to confide everything to this wise woman, but until she fully understood her own situation, caution seemed prudent.
"I am certain I'll be sharing much more as time goes on.
I can already think of things I will be needing help to understand.
" She leaned forward to place a hand on Lady Joanna's arm. "Thank you."
"Of course, my dear. Now, we shall ready ourselves for the rest of them." She sat up taller in her seat, transforming from warm mentor to dignified leader. "Today's meeting will follow a more formal structure than our social gatherings."
As if on cue, the footman announced the first arrival: "Mrs. Oliver Hartwell."
Phoebe stood with a smile. "Oh, Lillian! I'm so pleased to see you again."
Lillian entered wearing a gown that accommodated her advancing pregnancy while still maintaining elegance. "And I you. Are you ready for your formal initiation into our little society?"
"I think so. Though I confess I'm not entirely sure what that entails."
"Nothing too dramatic," Lillian assured her with a grin. "We save our more theatrical tendencies for emergency situations."
As more Widows arrived—Mrs. Catherine Mills, Lady Harriet Greene, Mrs. Sarah Whitmore, and others Phoebe recognized from the lawn games—the atmosphere grew more ceremonial. They arranged themselves in a loose circle, with Lady Joanna clearly presiding.
Notably absent was Lady Smock, and Phoebe couldn't help but ask about it.
"Lady Smock has chosen not to pursue full membership at this time," Lady Joanna explained diplomatically. "She finds some of our... requirements... incompatible with her own goals."
"She's still seeking a husband for protection rather than developing her own capabilities," Lillian added more bluntly. "Nothing wrong with that choice, but it's not what we're about."
The formal meeting that followed was unlike anything Phoebe had expected.
The Widows discussed practical matters with the efficiency of a business organization: finances, property management, legal rights, and yes, the intricacies of marriage contracts that could protect a woman's assets and autonomy.
"The key," explained Mrs. Catherine Mills, "is to enter any future marriage as an equal partner, not as property to be acquired. Your wealth, your property, your decisions—all can be protected with proper legal arrangements. "
"But only," added Lady Harriet, "if you understand what you're agreeing to before you sign anything."
As the afternoon progressed, Phoebe found herself both educated and inspired. These women had created something remarkable: a network of support that was also a center of learning, preparing its members not just to survive as independent women, but to thrive.
When the formal business concluded and the gathering became more social, Phoebe reflected on how much her life had changed. Weeks ago, she had been a frightened widow fleeing isolation. Now she was becoming part of something larger—a community of strong, capable women who looked after their own.
"So," Lillian said as they prepared to leave, "how do you feel about being an official member of the Secret Society of Young Widows?"
"Honored," Phoebe replied honestly. "And perhaps a little intimidated by how much I still have to learn."
"We all felt that way in the beginning," Lady Joanna assured her. "But you'll find that knowledge brings confidence, and confidence brings freedom."
As Phoebe returned to Lavender Cottage that evening, she carried with her not just the formal membership in the Society, but a deeper understanding of what these remarkable women were building.
They weren't just supporting each other through widowhood—they were creating a new model for how women could live in the world.
And tomorrow, she would begin reading Robert's letters with a new perspective on what it meant to be truly independent. The Widows had given her more than friendship and protection; they had given her a vision of who she could become.