Theo squeezed her hand. “I adore books. And this will be a lovely room.”
No wonder Haven simmered with such desperation. Not only for his family home but for Jacinda. Theo would be devastated to see Cherry Hill in such a state, her sisters reduced to wearing a dress patched so frequently it resembled a quilt more than a garment. Why hadn’t his friends helped him?
Because he hadn’t told them.
She would venture to guess that Granby and Blythe knew of Haven’s poverty, but not the extent of it. And his friends only knew the destruction Haven’s father had caused from gossip. Blythe was generous to a fault. He would have gladly offered assistance had he been asked, especially for Jacinda’s sake.
Jacinda tugged on her sleeve, next showing Theo a large dining room with dusty wainscotting, absent the large table which must have once graced it. A smaller table, dwarfed inside the room, sat surrounded by six mismatched chairs.
Next, the once magnificent ballroom at the back of the house, stripped of chandeliers, the fine marble gouged and dirty beneath her feet. Several sections showed pits and cracks, as if someone had tried to pry out the marble in pieces.
Probably to sell it.
The sight of all this beauty left to rot or stripped bare made Theo physically ill. Greenbriar was a mere shell of what it must once have been. If she were to make something of her marriage, and Theo still thought she would despite Haven being an idiot, restoring Greenbriar would be her responsibility.
Her knees buckled just a bit.
Theo had never imagined having to renovate an entire estate, or even manage one. Yes, she was a duke’s daughter, but one woefully ill-equipped for this endeavor. Theo painted miniatures. Small landscapes. That was the extent of her talents and abilities. Mama had allowed her to thrive on her own, so to speak. Nurture her creativity. Theo’s education was lacking in several key respects. She couldn’t even plan a dinner menu properly.
The one time in her life she would have welcomed Romy’s opinions, and her sister was off with her duke. Romy, blazing warrior that she was, wouldn’t think twice at having such a task as the restoration of a crumbling estate set before her. She would have already hired an army of servants, all of whom would have been waiting for her before she even set foot in Greenbriar.
Jacinda touched her hand before leading Theo down the hall to a set of large double doors. “This is my favorite room in the entire house,” she said, opening one door with a flourish.
Oh, my.
Theo took a deep breath, inhaled the dust floating about, and promptly started coughing. After the unnecessary and enthusiastic thumping of her back by Jacinda, she straightened and took in Greenbriar’s library.
Absolutely stunning, despite its current condition.
Floor-to-ceiling windows faced the parkland surrounding Greenbriar, which would be a lovely view once the grounds were restored. The heavy velvet curtains hanging from the windows—all of which needed a good cleaning—were restrained by frayed, gold cording. Mildew showed in gray patches amidst the velvet, making it difficult to discern what color the curtains had originally been. Evergreen, she thought. The room was two stories, the second-floor landing and more bookcases clearly visible. A small spiral staircase so rickety Theo wouldn’t dare to stand on it twisted up above her to the landing. Dozens of half-empty bookcases met her eyes as the aroma of old leather and rot filled the air.
A ladder stood against a set of shelves.
Jacinda’s fingers ran down the scarred wood of the ladder, features pinching up.
Theo looked down at Jacinda’s leg. She’d fallen from that ladder, ruining her leg. Theo was certain of it.
“What do you think?” Jacinda’s smile was weak, searching. Begging Theo to love this space as much as she did. “I’m slowly cataloging the books we have left.”
She must spend hours in here every day. Theo could picture her on the ladder, reaching up for a book, only to wobble and fall to the floor. It must have happened when Haven was living abroad.
“I think, Jacinda, this is the most amazing library I’ve ever seen. Far grander than I could have possibly imagined. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one finer, and that’s saying something.”
Jacinda beamed back at her, bouncing on her feet at Theo’s praise.
How old was Jacinda, exactly? Theo took in her delicate bone structure and petite form. Haven said his sister was about the same age as Phaedra, but her eyes belied the hardship she’d endured, making her seem far older than she was. Her heart ached for her new sister-in-law, stuck in the country with only her daft uncle and Mrs. Henderson.
“The windows need to be cleaned from top to bottom,” Theo stated. She knew that much at least. “The floors scrubbed until they shine.” An image took shape in her mind. Rather like one of her miniatures. Only larger. “What would you think of a reading nook, just there by the window? Comfortable chairs. Lots of cushions. Several small tables.”
Nodding eagerly in agreement, Jacinda said, “Perhaps a small settee?”
“Of course, if you wish it.”
Jacinda’s excitement faded as she looked down at her feet. “Won’t you need to ask my brother first? It all sounds lovely but rather expensive. He may not approve, and I’ve no wish to upset him.”
“Haven has made it clear I’m to take over the care of Greenbriar, or at least the portion we’ll live in.” She’d no intention of cozying up to Haven in the drawing room and studying fabric samples with him. “And I’m obscenely wealthy.” Theo winked at her. “Expense is the least of your worries.”
The smile returned. “Ambrose told me you are an artist. You paint and sketch. He said your work consists mainly of miniatures and is some of the finest he’s ever seen.” Her cheeks pinked. “The miniature you painted for him as a betrothal gift is exquisite, at least from what Ambrose tells me. A self-portrait.” A wistful look crossed her face. “How romantic of you, Theo.”
