“At least it won’t be a hardship to wed Theodosia,” Blythe continued, gesturing discreetly with his glass in her direction.
“No, I suppose not.” An understatement.
Blythe nodded. “I expected you were more enamored of Miss Emerson’s dowry than the young lady herself. Theodosia’s will be far richer. I suppose it was a happy coincidence for you to find her here.” There was a question in his friend’s eyes, one Ambrose wouldn’t answer.
Blythe could assume whatever he wished. All of London would speculate, especially if Lady Blythe didn’t keep her gossiping lips shut, and he doubted she would.
“Did you never think to offer for Theodosia yourself?”
Blythe looked aghast. “No. Never.” He took a sip of his own scotch. “Theodosia is a delightful creature. I like her very much. She has no idea how beautiful she is, which is a great departure from many young ladies and quite refreshing. I do worry she’ll just tumble into the street one day out of sheer clumsiness.” He chuckled softly. “But the Barrington sisters are all too bold for my tastes. And my mother would never have approved.”
“Indeed not.” Lady Blythe had been nearly giddy with relief that Theodosia hadn’t managed to ensnare Blythe.
A knock sounded at the door moments before it swung open to reveal a gentleman who diminished Blythe’s magnificence to that of tarnished silver. His brilliant blue eyes scanned the room, lingering over Blythe before settling on Ambrose, lip curling in disdain.
“His Grace, the Duke of Averell,” the footman intoned.
Ambrose choked on his scotch. He’d forgotten how much the duke looked like Leo Murphy, especially up close. Averell was probably just as much of a prick. He assumed. Ambrose had never been properly introduced to him nor had they ever spoken. Now was not the time for him to pretend to be anything other than an honorable gentleman, a victim of the same social rules as Theodosia.
6
Theo sat in the carriage, impatiently waiting for her brother as the future,her future, was decided. Cousin Winnie, silver hair forming a wreath around her head, lips trembling in shock, led Theo from Blythe’s home to the carriage with nary a word.
Theo declined Cousin Winnie’s offer to see her home, choosing instead to wait in her brother’s carriage. There was no point in arriving at the Averell mansion, anxious and worried, only to sit on the edge of the sofa in the drawing room and wait for Tony to come home. Best to meet her fate head-on.
Giving a tired nod, one that told of her utter failure as a chaperone, Cousin Winnie merely pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Rosalind had grabbed Theo’s hand before joining her mother. “I thought you promised not to do anything impulsive.”
Theo could do nothing more than shrug and bid her cousin goodnight. There was little she could say. The entire evening had been a testament to reckless, impulsive behavior.
She pressed herself into the luxurious interior of her brother’s carriage, trying and failing to remain calm. The accusations, hurled at her by Lady Blythe, had been incredibly hurtful. Everyone, including Blythe, assumed Theo had been in his study tonight with the sole purpose of trapping him in marriage. She’d be a laughingstock if word got out.
Only Haven, of all people, knew the truth, and she prayed he kept it to himself.
Her fingers curled into her skirts. Had he only given her back the miniature instead of taunting her, Theo would not have been forced to...attackhim. This entire unfortunate incident would not have occurred, and she might even now be returning home with nothing more than a bruised ego from Blythe’s refusal of her gift.
A sensation stung her fingertips. The feel of Haven’s muscled chest beneath her hands.
Drat.
His eyes, as he’d lowered his mouth to hers, had darkened to nearly black, the depths swirling with something hungry and wicked. A promise which twisted between her thighs, conjuring up all manner of erotic thoughts.
Even now, those thoughts still lingered, making her pulse quicken. Theo blinked, willing them away.
The sound of footsteps outside the carriage heralded the approach of her brother, the Duke of Averell.
Tony climbed in with a grunt, displeasure coating his handsome face as he caught sight of her.
“You should have allowed Winnie to see you home.”
“I wanted to wait for you.”
He settled next to Theo as the vehicle rocked forward. Raking his fingers through his hair, Tony peered across the seat, looking her directly in the eye. “Did Haven coerce you to meet him in the study? Take liberties?”
“What?” Theo’s mouth gaped open in surprise. “No. Of course not.” As much as she didn’t wish to marry Haven, she wasn’t about to accuse him of forcing himself on her.
“Were you having an assignation with him, Theo? Did you make plans to meet him in the study?”
