And she also felt strangely deflated.
So she took her heart and closed it off.
Thea went on the hunt with those who wished to go. It was exhilarating to be on a horse again. She’d practically grown up on them but, of course, had not been riding in years.
Lady Lila truly was an outstanding horsewoman and kept up with Neal the whole way. But it was Lady Sophie with whom he spent a good deal of time. The two of them rode back to Bennington Abbey together and seemed to be enjoying their conversation.
Thea didn’t know who was the more jealous—Lady Lila or herself.
Neal’s face was relaxed, and Lady Sophie laughed with giddy pleasure. Thea knew he’d wanted a woman he could not love, but did that mean he’d wanted a ninny-headed one?
Nor did he and Lady Sophie part company when they returned to the house, even upon discovering Sir James had arrived. Of course, the lawyer could easily take care of himself. He knew most of the other guests and fit right into their company.
“Lyon is showing a decided preference,” Mirabel whispered in passing after dinner. “I would not have thought it. I spoke to Lady Sophie this morning over breakfast. She is not bright.”
“She’s kind,” Thea said.
“Damp praise,” Mirabel murmured.
Thea looked at her. “Do you mean ‘faint’ praise?”
A secret smile came to her friend’s lips. “That, too.” She leaned close. “Of course it shouldn’t matter to you.”
Did Mirabel see she was jealous?“It doesn’t.”
“Of course not,” Mirabel agreed smoothly. “That’s why you scowl every time you look in their direction.”
Thea’s immediate reaction was to school her features into a smile. She even lifted a hand to her forehead as if in thought, when in truth she wanted to be certain she didn’t have a frown line.
Mirabel chuckled. “Don’t worry. You are not the only one. We have a host of disgruntled women here.” She floated away to see to her guests.
Thea crossed her arms. Mirabel was wrong. She didn’t give a care whom Neal chose.
Still, it wasn’t easy to watch Neal and Lady Sophie with their heads together over a game of cards after dinner. A part of Thea wanted to chide him over not paying more attention to the others. It seemed her responsibility. Then again, if she did approach him, would he think her jealous?
She stayed on her side of the room.
Lord Corkindale came up to her side. “My daughter is disappointed. She had thought there was a connection between herself and his lordship this afternoon.”
“There was,” Thea agreed. “She is a remarkable rider. Unfortunately, I have no control over whom Lord Lyon favors.” If she had, she wouldhave pulled him away from Lady Sophie by now.
“She came here to win him,” Lord Corkindale answered. “Make no mistake of it. She will claim him.”
“I wish her happy hunting,” Thea replied, a comment that did not satisfy his lordship. He went off to repeat to his daughter what she’d said.
And Lord Corkindale wasn’t the only concerned parent. After Thea had dismissed her maid but before she could climb into her bed, she was visited by Lady MontvaleandMrs. Pomfrey. They knocked on her door together. Apparently, the threat of Lady Sophie had restored their friendship. Their concerns were very much along the lines of Lord Corkindale’s, and again, Thea had little help she could offer. “Lord Lyon is free to make his own decision.”
“But you must havesomeinfluence,” Mrs. Pomfrey insisted.
“When have you ever heard of the Lyon being easily influenced?” Thea said.
Annoyed with her response, the women left the room, their furious whispers of grievances following them out the door.
Thea sat on her bed with a sigh. Why had she ever agreed to this house party plan? It had been successful in the past, but this time, the stakeswere too high. She’d never do it again. It was too stressful for all involved—except Neal.
She lay down with a yawn, but sleep eluded her. Sooner or later Neal should orwouldask her opinion. And what would she say to him?
That the idea of marrying the silliest girl of the lot was ridiculous?Absolutely!
