The moment broke, but it did not vanish. It remained between them like a lamp carried carefully through rain.
By Saturday, Ashcombe Wells was at war: not with muskets, thank heaven, nor even with fists—though Mr. Gibbs and the butcher came near enough in the market square that both wives had to intervene. It was a war of petitions, whispers, loyalties, and printed notices.Alderman Voss declared that public safety required immediate condemnation.Phoebe declared that public safety required honest repair.Mr. Meer produced drawings, measurements, estimates, and a firm professional statement that demolition was unnecessary.Voss produced rumors: he implied that costs had been hidden, he suggested that Mr. Pike was unfit, he hinted that Miss Hartwell had undue influence over the architect, and he spoke of modern hotels, wider rooms, improved accommodation, and increased prosperity.Phoebe answered with facts: she published a subscription account in the library window, she listed every donation and expense, she invited tradesmen to sign a declaration of support, she persuaded Lady Enderby to host a card evening in aid of the restoration, and then persuaded Lady Enderby that inviting the butcher's wife was an act of noble leadership rather than social collapse."Community," Phoebe said, "is most impressive when visible."Lady Enderby considered. "Very well, but she must not sit beside Mrs. Phelps. They quarrel over whist."The card evening became the most talked-of event of the season. The concert chamber and card room were filled, but not crowded. Candles gleamed in mirrors. The rain had cleared, and moonlight silvered the square outside. Merchants stood near gentry, tradesmen's wives wore their best caps, and young ladies sold little paper fans printed with the words Ashcombe Restored.Mr. Meer had objected to the motto at first. "It is not yet restored," he said."It will be," Phoebe replied."That is confidence.""That is marketing."He laughed, and she felt her heart answer.Yet beneath the warmth of the evening lay tension. The full committee was to meet on Monday, when Mr. Hargreaves would present his independent findings. If Voss succeeded in swaying them, the Assembly Rooms might still be condemned.During the interval, Phoebe slipped into the empty ballroom. The room was dark, except for moonlight through the high windows and the glow spilling beneath the closed doors from the card room. Timber supports stood beneath the damaged ceiling like solemn sentries. The painted clouds above were scarred, but not lost.She heard the door open."I thought I might find you here," Jonathan said.The use of her name had not occurred aloud, yet in her mind he had become Jonathan already, and the sound of his voice in the empty ballroom moved her more than it ought."I wanted to see it quietly," she said.He came to stand beside her. For a while, they said nothing.They Were Supposed to Be Arguing Over Plaster and Ledgers — They Ended Up Falling in Love
They Were Supposed to Be Arguing Over Plaster and Ledgers — They Ended Up Falling in Love
Chapter 15
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