“That promise did not have a stupidity clause, Theodosia. Did you really assume you could be discovered alone with a gentleman and not have this be the outcome? Even you can’t be so naïve as to believe I can just wave this away. Or maybe you are. You actually imagined you could trap Blythe into marriage.”
Tony’s words cut her to the quick. Everyone whispered about the Barringtons, but this was very different. She’d made a scandal of herself. Destroyed her reputation.
“Theodosia.” Her brother’s voice softened. “You would become a pariah if you didn’t marry Haven, with no place in society.”
“It isn’t fair. Nothing happened. Why should I be punished?” There really was no way out of the situation. Not even the Duke of Averell could fix it for her.
“You’d have to live your life disgraced,” he said gently. “You need to understand what you would face should you not marry Haven. But I agree. It isn’t fair.”
It amazed Theo how much Tony sounded like their father just now. She loved her brother. Adored him, actually. But he was a poor substitute for the late Marcus Barrington. Theo fervently wished for Papa to appear across the carriage from her. Right now. For just a moment, she would be clasped in the warmth of her father’s embrace, telling her all would be well.
A small cry left her.
“Oh, Theodosia.” Her brother took her hand and pulled her close. “I will protect you as best I can.”
“I’m so sorry, Tony. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Truly.”
“Possibly having Haven as a husband won’t be as terrible as you think.” His tone led her to believe otherwise.
“I’m sure it will be.”
“Most marriages are not made because of affection,” Tony said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy.” His body tensed slightly as he lifted his head, peering at something outside the window. “Damn. That’s Cousin Winnie’s carriage pulling away. I told her to go straight home. I wanted to apprise your mother of what has happened. Come,” he said as the carriage rolled to a stop. “We’ll continue this discussion inside.”
Tony helped her out of the carriage and kept her hand in his as the massive front door opened to reveal the unflappable Pith, as pristine and starched as he’d been at breakfast this morning.
“Your Grace,” the butler intoned. “Welcome home. Her Grace awaits you in the drawing room.”
7
The Dowager Duchess of Averell awaited them, her features pale and drawn, a glass of brandy sitting on the table before her. She looked up as Theo and Tony came through the door.
“Come, dearest,” she said, patting the space next to her on the settee. “Poor Winnie is beside herself.”
A disgruntled sound came from Tony. “I asked Winnie to go straight home.” At least his annoyance was now directed toward their cousin and not Theo. “As usual, she completely disregarded my instructions. What is the use of being a duke if no one obeys you?”
Mama gave him a tired smile. “She feels responsible since Theo was in her care. I dare not even allow Winnie to take Olivia and Phaedra to Gunter’s. They’d both be ruined before the ices melt.”
Theo bit her lip and looked away. On top of everything else, her foolishness had hurt Cousin Winnie.
“I had to keep waving smelling salts beneath her nose just to keep her upright,” her mother continued. “I didn’t wish her as a guest for the night. Rosalind finally led her away.”
Tony went to the sideboard and poured himself a healthy glass of brandy. “First piece of good news I’ve heard this evening.”
Mama turned to look at Theo. “Compromised? By the Marquess of Haven? The very same gentleman who would call on your sister before she and Granby were married? The desperate gentleman in need of an heiress?” She shook her head. “I didn’t believe Winnie at first.”
“It was an accident, Mama.”
“A happy one for him, I’m sure. I recall that on the one and only occasion we met, outside of seeing him at Romy’s wedding, his coat was worn so thin, I could see clean through to the linen of his shirt.”
“That’s the one.” Tony hoisted up his glass. “I’m thrilled.” He paused. “Haven was at Romy’s wedding? We weren’t introduced.”
“He arrived late,” Mama said. “And disappeared promptly after the ceremony.”
“Probably snuck about trying to pry the jewels from some of the statuary once we were all occupied. I should check to make sure the church wasn’t sacked.”
“Tony,” Mama admonished.
Theo shut her eyes, wishing this entire evening to be over. Or that she’d awaken in her bed knowing it had all been some awful dream.
