“Have you any plans while you are in London?” Harriet asked after several moments filled with only delicately clinking cutlery.
“A few trips to the theatre perhaps, and of course the usual slew of balls.” Percival gave Theodore a sidelong look. “You know, now that you have a duchess, you should really make an appearance at one or two of them.”
Theodore arched an eyebrow but said nothing.
“You cannot hide from thetonforever, and you do not even have the excuse of having to hide from every eligible woman and her mother anymore.” Percival bit into his toast.
“I am not hiding from anyone.” Theodore drummed his fingers against the mahogany table.
“And yet you have not been to a social event in years. You did not even have a wedding ball.” Percival leaned back in his chair as he downed the rest of his coffee.
“I have other responsibilities.” Theodore gestured to the hall outside. “Ones that I take seriously.”
“One could argue that such things are a part of your responsibilities. Balls are not only for socializing.” Percival pointed out. “Besides, you have scarcely gone to so much as a garden party in years, even before you inherited. And certainly, well before Phoebe came to you.”
“Because I did not see the point. I still do not. Most people go to such things to find a wife, I already have one.”I never planned on marrying.Theodore massaged the back of his neck, forcing himself not to look at Harriet.
Percival opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Harriet’s tentative voice broke through. Though it was laced with caution, it commanded the attention of the room. “Perhapswe should consider it. I have been meaning to get to London anyway, the ball gown I ordered for my bridal wardrobe will be ready by now.”
“I thought you did not enjoy balls and such?” Theodore tilted his head towards her, eyes searching her face as he tried to read what she was thinking.
He expected a flash of anger to steal across her face, but it did not. Instead, he was met with a thoughtful expression. “I have struggled in the past, it is true, but I do not want to be another reason for you not to go to such things.”
Her words curled around him, and he felt a warmth settle across his shoulders like a cat curling by a fire. He heard what she did not say, he could see it in her eyes.I am not an excuse.She leaned towards him, her fingers nearly touching his across the table. His heart froze.
“What do you want?” he asked, his voice low, barely more than a whisper.
“I want to go.” Her eyes were full of a fierce determination.
It was like he was back in the garden and she was asking him for just one hour a day. Such a simple request. A million excuses came to his mind, but before he could utter any of them, Harriet continued.
“We do not have to be gone long, we can be selective. That will no doubt help us make the most of our appearance.” Her tone was businesslike now. “You and I both know of the rumors about you, and you know what that will mean for Phoebe. If we start to be seen more, if we make connections, we pave a better future for us all.”
“What do you suggest?” Theodore tried to cling to his last shred of hesitation but he felt it slipping from him like sand through his fingers. “And what about Phoebe?”
“We will not be gone long, and it will give her a chance to get used to the idea that we will always come back to her.” “Catherine is having a ball, it will be a good place for us to re-enter society and it will be shorter than most. Catherin is about to start her lying-in period after all.”
“You seem to have thought of everything.” He let out a long, slow breath.
“What do you think?” Harriet’s voice was soft; it would be so easy for him to take her fingers in his hand, and the temptation chilled him.
“It is time for my duchess to take her place.” He ignored the tightness across his chest.
He turned away from Harriet as the hope and excitement overtook her face, curling his fingers back towards him. His eyes found Percival watching them, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Changes indeed,” he muttered.
CHAPTER 17
“What was I thinking?” Harriet muttered to herself as she wandered down the corridor.
She had excused herself from the breakfast table as soon as Theodore had agreed to go to the ball. To her embarrassment, in their exchange, she had all but forgotten the Duke of Wright existed, until he had murmured “changes indeed.”
Once more, his words had snapped whatever spell had weaved itself between her and Theodore. Harriet shook herself, her fingers brushing against the necklace around her neck. She could still feel the switch, the way it had felt like she could read him as easily as a book and that he could do the same for her.
I want to go.
She had meant every word, and it surprised her.I do not want to be another excuse.A suspicion had burst to life in her as she listened to Theodore and Wright argue, and when she had toldhim that she had no wish to be another reason for him not to go, she had seen the truth of it.
