Everything she had ever dreamed was coming true.But he didn’t know everything.He didn't know about Kit.
Thea sank onto her vanity stool.Things had escalated so quickly.She’d intended to tell him everything before things got out of hand.And instead she'd kissed him, bedded him, and agreed to marry him.Even now because of what happened, she could be with his child, and still carry her secret.
He deserved to know who he was marrying.Not just Lady Theodora, proper spinster, but the woman who also played the part of Kit Barton, who snuck out at night in breeches and took money from aristocrats in gaming hells.The woman who'd been sitting at that card table while he confessed his deepest feelings, and who hadn't said a word.
What would he think when he found out?Would he understand, or would he see it as betrayal?Or worse, an attempt to trap him.
And even if he forgave her—even if he accepted that his future wife was the scruffy gambler he'd lost money to—would he expect her to stop?Even if the funds had been put to a worthy cause.
Would becoming his duchess mean giving up her freedom forever?
She had to tell him.Soon.Before this went any further.She hoped that he would understand.That he meant what he said—that he loved her, and would love all of the woman she had become, and not just who she had been.
The clock on the mantel chimed one.Somewhere below, her mother's guests were still dancing, unaware that the hostess’s spinster daughter had just agreed to marry the Duke of Greystone.Thea splashed cool water on her face, pinned her hair into something passable, and went back downstairs.
She touched her lips, still swollen from his kisses.They couldn’t have a true marriage without her coming clean.But she would push that from her mind, for now.
For the rest of the night, she must play her part and hope she’d be able to find the right words tomorrow.
Chapter 6
Wesley
WesleyarrivedattheHasting residence just after eleven.He had slept merely three hours the night before, reeling from disbelief that Thea was finally his.It was like everything had changed in a moment, and he was still catching up.
Thea loved him, and they’d been intimate.He had learned that it wasn’t her first time.A part of him could admit that it irked him that she had been with William, but he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t closed his eyes and used other women’s bodies to curb his need for Thea.It had been a long time since he had done so, but he understood why she had done the same.
And she was his now, which in truth, was all that mattered.No one but the two of them would ever know he wasn’t her first.
The butler showed him to the drawing room.Lady Hasting was already waiting with a curious expression.Thea sat beside her mother in a pale blue gown, and Wesley's chest tightened at the sight of her.
She looked tired.Beautiful, but tired, with shadows beneath her eyes that hadn't been there before.Apparently sleep had evaded her as well.
“Your Grace.”Lady Hasting rose.“We weren't expecting you to call today.”
“Forgive the intrusion.I have a matter of importance to discuss.”
What followed was brief.The wide grin didn’t leave Lady Hasting’s face as soon as she learned that Wesley wanted to marry her daughter and that Thea would accept.Through it all, Thea sat with a small smile fixed on her face that didn't reach her eyes.
“I see no reason to delay the wedding preparations.”Lady Hasting turned to Thea with a look that was almost triumphant.“I always knew you'd come to your senses eventually.And now you shall be a duchess.”
Thea's smile tightened.“Yes, Mama.”
“You'll need to curb some of your more ...independent tendencies, of course.A duchess can't go traipsing about doing whatever she pleases.You’ll be expected to be a model for the ton.”Lady Hasting laughed as if she'd made a joke.“But I'm sure His Grace will help you understand what's expected.”
Wesley watched Thea's face.She appeared as if she’d like to strangle her mother.
“Thea will make the perfect duchess,” he said, letting Thea know that he had zero doubt.
“You're kind to say so.I’ve done my best to prepare her.”Lady Hasting waved a hand.“I’ll write to your mother and we’ll begin the arrangements immediately.”
When her mother left to speak with the butler, Wesley crossed to sit beside Thea.He took her hand, threading his fingers through hers.
“Are you well?You appear as if something is amiss.”
“I'm fine.”She squeezed his hand, but her gaze slid away from his.“Just tired.”
“Your mother—”
