Page 90 of The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

“So noted,” Graham said.

“Unless your accomplice is a hedgehog,” Jacob added.

“Or the time…” Marjorie began.

And her siblings were off again, laughing and exaggerating their exploits—not that many of their adventures left much room for exaggeration.

Faircliffe was not looking at Tommy and Philippa in horror or even prurient curiosity. Chloe must have already told him about their romantic interest in each other. The duke appeared to have taken the news in stride. Perhaps he was happier than ever that Philippa had rejected his suit. Tommy certainly was. Philippa would not be here with Tommy and her siblings otherwise.

“Are they too much?” she asked Philippa.

Philippa’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “After a lifetime of dining alone, I doubt I shall ever experience ‘too much’ fun. Are they truly this marvelous all the time?”

“They can’t help themselves.” Tommy grinned. “Elizabeth has even woken herself up giggling maniacally.”

“Not maniacally,” Elizabeth said from across the table. “Giggling with cold calculation.”

“There’s no privacy at the dinner table,” Tommy whispered.

The corner of Philippa’s mouth twitched. “Maybe later.”

Tommy’s pulse leapt. A year ago, when she’d first laid eyes on Philippa, Tommy had never imagined she would one day invite her into their home and sit about the family dinner table as herself.

Tonight she was not Great-Aunt Wynchester or Baron Vanderbean. She was just Tommy. No wigs, no cosmetics. She wore trousers and a frock coat because they were comfortable, and no cravat because starch was not comfortable at all. She didn’t look like a man or a woman. She looked and felt like herself.

Being accepted and loved had always been a dream of hers. She’d known she was different from a young age. If she could not be like the others, then she would be different on purpose. She could be anyone she pleased.

Lately, she realized the person she most wanted to be was herself. She was already a legion of other characters and caricatures. The only place she could take off her disguise was at home with her family.

And now, with Philippa.

One supper was not the same as pledging a lifetime together. But it was more than Tommy had hoped for and enough to awaken dormant dreams again.

Philippa wiped the corner of her mouth. “Those were the best almond cakes I’ve ever tasted.”

Tommy had forgotten about dessert. All she wanted to taste were Philippa’s kisses. There was nothing sweeter.

“Shall we remove to the sitting room?” asked Elizabeth.

Graham rose to his feet.

“Not us.” Chloe made a suspiciously bland expression. “It has been a lovely evening, but Lawrence and I are required at home.”

Tommy waited but did not feel the usual pang at Chloe leaving early. Philippa was here. Tommy was thinking of sneaking away, too. She and Chloe were still part of each other’s lives, but those lives had expanded to include more people.

“Mm-hm,” Elizabeth said, wiggling her eyebrows. “‘Required’ at home. Very busy schedules at nine p.m. whilst Parliament is conveniently not in session.”

“Verybusy,” Chloe said firmly. The look she exchanged with Lawrence could have set the house on fire. “We’ll see you at Northrup’s soirée.”

“Northrup.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

“Remindmeas much as you like.” Philippa’s blue eyes shone. “I cannot wait for that smug liar to get his comeuppance.”

“Did you bring the manuscript?” Jacob asked.

“I did. It’s with my valise, which is…Where is my valise?”

“Upstairs.” Tommy willed her cheeks not to heat. “In your guest chamber, which is not my bedroom.”