Page 49 of A Baby Delivery for the Duke

“And you said that is only postponed, so you should keep on planning I think,” Augusta said.

Augusta had a real knack for being an optimist, even when things were otherwise dreary.

It was something that she appreciated quite a great deal about her sister.

“Do you really think so?” Phillipa asked. She wasn’t sure of what to do.

On one hand, she wanted to support her husband the best she could. Postponing was a way to offer her respect, and she had done it without a second thought.

But at the same time, she was still very much so concerned about the orphanage.

Someone had to be.

“Yes. Why not?” Augusta replied, nodding. “I think it would be a good way to keep yourself busy and besides, there is really no such thing as too much planning.”

“You do have a point,” Phillipa nodded. “And the pause only gives me more time to make the ball even more efficient. I could draw a list of more people to invite, and it could be better for the donations that will be raised.”

“Yes, now you’re truly getting it,” Augusta smiled. “I think that this is a good idea. How did you come up with it?”

“Oh well…” Phillipa thought back to when she visited the orphanage. “You know how it is. It is just very difficult to see those children suffer while the rest of the ton seems to have more than they need. It’s not a fair system and I think I just want to contribute in whatever way is possible.”

“This is a great way,” Augusta replied. “Honestly, I am very proud of you for thinking like this. It feels that just yesterday you were so young and now you’ve grown up to be this responsible and sensitive young woman who cares so much about those who usually are ignored.”

Phillipa felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

“I think you’re making me sound better than I am.”

“Or that you are underestimating yourself,” Augusta replied. “Have you thought about making this a recurring event?”

“The charity ball?”

“Yes,” Augusta nodded. “Twice a year. It can become a tradition.”

Phillipa considered the idea, and found herself liking it immediately. “Oh, it can be. It would be a consistent way to gather donations for the orphanages. Eventually, we might be able to help more children.”

“And as I said, it’ll keep you busy,” Augusta affirmed. “What does the duke think about this?”

“He has been very supportive,” Phillipa felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “I had my fears, you know. That he might think of all of this as unnecessary or frivolous, but he has proven me wrong in the best of ways.”

Augusta gave her a knowing smile. “I know that he has always had a good heart. People assume things about him because they just do not know him, and because he keeps to himself for the most part. But he’s a good man.”

“I cannot agree more,” Phillipa smiled.

“I think the both of you make a good pair,” Augusta went on, smiling wide now. “The Duke and Duchess. You compliment each other in the best possible way.”

Phillipa thought back to her husband, and then the smile from her face disappeared as she remembered.

Whenever she thought back to what he had told her, her heart broke all over again. They still hadn’t gotten a chance to speak properly, nor had she pushed him to tell her anything.

Still, she worried about him incessantly.

“I’m worried for him,” she said, earnestly. “He’s… well, I don’t entirely know what happened but he has not been well.”

“Oh?” Augusta’s face softened, and she leaned forward to squeeze her sisters hand. “Do you wish to talk about it?”

“I don’t know if that will do any good,” Phillipa admitted. “But you know, I’ve been worried and I just don’t know what to do to make it better.”

“Sometimes, the most we can do is be there for the ones we care about,” Augusta replied. “I don’t think you’ll have all the answers immediately, but you can offer your support.”