“Or I could work on it,” Tommy said. “I can help you map the best locations for each community. If your patronesses don’t have to be society ladies, you might discover other possibilities. There could be a solicitors’ office that would like to sponsor a location, or a dressmaker, or even a publishing house.”

Philippa threw her arms around Tommy and hugged her tight. “Thank you. I would love that above all things.”

“I hope not above all things,” Tommy said. “I have a gift for you that I hope you’ll like.”

“You do?” Philippa let go in surprise. Tommy’s help with the library project was more than gift enough. She did not want for anything else.

Tommy slid out of bed and returned with a small box.

Philippa sat up and opened it carefully. Inside was an elegant pocket watch on a gold chain. Her breath caught. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s synchronized to mine.” Tommy grinned at her. “Now that you’re officially a Wynchester, we cannot have our newest member arriving tardy to the family’s highly improper and occasionally illegal philanthropic adventures.”

Philippa pressed it to her chest, her heart overflowing with happiness. “Thank you so much. And…I think it is time. Before we can create a new life together, first I must put paid to the old one. I must inform my parents of my new address.”

As she rooted through the discarded clothing on the floor in search of her shift and plum underdress, her hands would not stop trembling.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“Please,” Philippa said with feeling.

This ought to feel joyful, like the moment she unmasked Northrup’s perfidy, but instead she was filled with dread. When she returned home, Philippa was going to break the impending betrothal to Lord Whiddleburr as well as her parents’ hearts.

Her palms were already sticky. But it was time to stand up for herself.

With Tommy at her side.

Tommy laced Philippa’s gown. “Who do you want me to be?”

Philippa looked over her shoulder at her. “Whoever you want to be.”

“To visit your parents?” Tommy thought it over before disappearing into her dressing room and emerging in shimmering celestial blue satin with matching lace at the hem, thin gold spectacles, and shiny brown hair styled with face-framing ringlets. She was positively gorgeous.

Philippa curtsied. “And whom do I have the pleasure of greeting?”

Tommy handed her a calling card. It read:

Tommy Wynchester

Bluestocking

Philippa burst out laughing. “You have cards that say bluestocking?”

“I have cards that say absolutely everything,” Tommy said. “Vintner, wax chandler, Royal Exchange broker, Duke of Wellington…”

Philippa lifted her lips to Tommy’s and gave her temporary bluestocking a thorough kiss.

When they clattered down the stairs, Elizabeth and Marjorie were just emerging from the direction of the sitting room. Tiglet pranced just beside them.