Steeling herself for yet another battle in the war of the wills, Thea marched across the house to the dining room, Liam two paces behind her as was proper. Just before he opened the door for her, he winked and whispered, “Courage.”
Thea dared not change her expression as he swung the door wide to permit her entry. Feeling as though he conducted her to her execution, Thea ambled slowly, maintaining her dignity, into the dining room as the two men rose to greet her. She offered them grave nods and no smile as Liam helped her into her chair.
“Look who has come to see you, Thea,” Freddie boomed, a feigned bluster in his voice. Thea knew Freddie realized he was in deep trouble for this and she vowed to blister his ear later. “Robert has come to call on you again.”
Stifling the urge to spit on him, Thea instead nodded to the Baron. “Baron.”
“Miss Miller,” the Baron said, his voice just as hearty as Freddie’s. “You look absolutely ravishing.”
“Thank you,” she murmured as the footmen began serving their meal. “Your horse must be exhausted by now.”
The Baron laughed as though she had told a huge jest. “Fortunately, I have several. All of them good, solid runners. But, I must scold you, Miss Miller.”
Thea raised her brows as she sipped her wine. “Oh? For what?”
“You did not tell me my dear friend Freddie almost drowned on the lake a few days ago. That was very naughty of you.”
“Oh. I guess it slipped my mind.”
The Baron sat back in his chair, glancing at Freddie. “And to think I almost lost my best friend.” He lifted his glass of wine over the tabletop, smiling broadly. “Here is to my good friend, Freddie, may he always keep his head above water.”
Freddie laughed and drank while Thea raised her glass dutifully, and took only one small sip from hers. Chuckling, the Baron all but downed half of his glass in one gulp. Hoping the two would engage themselves in conversation, and leave her well out of it, Thea nibbled on her food, having no appetite despite the meal being delicious. Conscious of Liam in the room, watching and listening to everything that passed among them, somehow she did not feel comforted.
“So Miss Miller,” the Baron said, expansively as he dined. “I hope I get an invitation to this party you and Freddie are planning.”
“It is in the mail.”
“Capital. I hope you will permit me to be your escort that evening?”
Caught off guard even though she knew she should not have been, Thea thought fast. “I fear that will not be possible, Baron.”
“Oh? Why ever not?”
“That honor has already been given to the Earl of Harrowshire.”
Thea forked food into her mouth, her eyes on Freddie, daring him to call her a liar. He spluttered and choked, then covered his astonishment by wiping his lips with his napkin.
“Why, yes, the Earl did ask first, Robert,” he said, his voice apologetic. “Must leap in quickly with these things.”
“Of course,” the Baron replied, apparently unruffled by the news. “I will still get in my share of the dances with Miss Miller.”
Not if I break your legs first.Thea smiled over the rim of her glass at the Baron, wishing he was a thousand miles away. “Of course,” was all she said.
The talk soon turned to the weather, crops, sheep, cattle and the King’s health. Thea half listened, knowing she must remain for a while longer before it became socially permissible for her to excuse herself. She really craved escape and a nice long nap. Then the Baron spoke words that made her blood run cold.
“Your brother here is close to granting his blessing for our betrothal, Miss Miller,” he said, beaming proudly. “Is that not wonderful news? I am certain he will finally make up his mind and the banns will be cried within days.”
Thea froze, staring at Freddie. His expression, too, had gone still, devoid of obvious emotion, and he carefully set his glass down. “Robert,” he said after a long tense moment. “If I misled you, I apologize. I have not yet made up my mind about Thea’s future husband.”
“Nonsense,” the Baron exclaimed, still grinning broadly. “I know, you know I am the best man to take care of your little sister. And I do love her, and will care for her all the days of my life.”
He turned that full grin onto Thea, who suddenly felt nauseous.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me,” Thea said, rising from her chair. “I wish to go to my room and lie down.”
They both rose from their chairs as she wandered on feet she did not truly feel out of the dining hall and toward the stairs. A footman fell in with her as an escort, but it was not Liam. Her despair rose when she thought of him, knowing she would marry someone else, beginning to understand that he was the only man she wanted.
Bitterness rose as she climbed the stairs.I cared for him when we were children, just as I care for him now. And Freddie will never let us marry. Not ever.The chamomile tea Felicity had promised had gone cold by the time she reached her chambers. She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture when her maid promised to run down to the kitchen and fetch her a hot fresh pot. The girl gone on her errand, Thea lay down on her bed fully dressed, and closed her eyes. “How did my life become such a mess?” she asked aloud. “Freddie will cave in, I know he will. He has always done what Robert of Ampleforth wanted. Always. It is just a matter of time before he says yes.”
