“I’ve no interest in anything you have to say,” Theodosia asserted.
Olivia was instantly at her side, her posture stiff with outrage. “You heard her. Leave.”
“I will,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “But not before I speak my piece.”
“Or I could shoot you,” Olivia stated.
Mr. Pritchett bristled. “I mean no harm, truly.”
A few heads had begun to turn, and Theodosia, aware of the eyes upon them, gave a tight nod. “Say what you will, and quickly.”
“May we speak privately?”
His request was almost ludicrous. “You forfeited that right last night,” she responded. “You attacked me.”
His jaw twitched, but he said, “I wanted you to know that I’m leaving London tomorrow.”
Olivia muttered, “Good riddance.”
“But I was hoping you’d come with me,” he continued.
Theodosia reared back. “You must be mad,” she said. “Why would I ever leave with you?”
“You don’t belong here,” he insisted, stepping forward. “This isn’t you. You belong back in our village, managing your estate, not playing dress up and wasting time in the drawing room.”
“Who says this isn’t me?”
“I know you,” he said. “You can pretend all you want, but this life will sour on your tongue. You’ll tire of it. You will.”
“I don’t require your concern,” she remarked.
He gave a scoffing laugh. “So you enjoy being a lady’s companion? Playing servant to nobility? You think that makes you happy?”
“I don’t care what you think.”
“But you haven’t denied it,” he remarked. “Not once. AndI’ve seen how Lord Wilton looks at you. I daresay he wants you for his mistress.”
Theodosia tensed. “He is an honorable man, far above your slander. You don’t deserve to speak his name.”
Mr. Pritchett took a step back, his expression hardening. “Think on it. You’re an interloper here. They’ll never truly accept you.”
From the side, Olivia leaned in and whispered, “Say the word and I will shoot him in the foot.”
“There’s no need,” Theodosia said tightly. “Mr. Pritchett was just leaving.”
He clicked his tongue. “I thought you were clever. But you’ve let luxury beguile you. And you’ll regret that.”
“Why the sudden concern?”
His voice softened. “Because… I still believe we could have been happy.”
She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You’re delusional.”
He didn’t deny it. “But a part of you knows I’m right. If you change your mind, I’ll be at the Wolf and Badger Inn until morning.”
She gave him a pointed look. “Then enjoy your solitude. I won’t be coming.”
Disappointment flickered in his eyes, but he said nothing more. With a curt nod, he turned and disappeared into the rows of books.
