“No, he tricked you into coming to lure me out of hiding,” Lucinda remarked. “Don’t you see? You’re a pawn, Dosia. He used you.”
“No, Lord Wilton is not that type of man.”
Lucinda went to stand on the sill. “Are you going to come with me?”
“I can’t... I won’t,” Theodosia replied.
“Then this is a goodbye, Sister,” Lucinda said as she slipped out into the night.
Theodosia stared out after her, not knowing what to believe anymore. Had Richard truly deceived her this entire time?
The door slammed open with a thunderous crack, jolting her from her thoughts.
Richard stormed into the room, and his eyes raked the space until they landed on her. “You let him go?” he bellowed, the fury in his voice reverberating through the drawing room.
“I did—but if you would only give me a moment to?—”
He cut her off with a bark of disbelief. “Why should I listen to anything you have to say? You told me you didn’t know Mr. Smith, yet he comes knocking at the door asking for you by name!”
“Richard, please?—”
“Do not speak to me so familiarly!” he roared. “You lost that right the moment you lied to me!”
The sting of his words hit their mark, but she held her ground. “And you?” she shot back, her voice trembling with righteous fury. “Are you entirely innocent in this? Did you not deceive me as well?”
His brow furrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She took a purposeful step forward. “Did you bring me here under false pretenses? Did you ask me to be Olivia’s companion only so you could draw out Mr. Smith?”
He didn’t answer immediately, and his silence said more than words ever could.
“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he said stiffly.
“Then I don’t owe you one either, my lord,” she responded.
A sharp gasp cut through the air.
“Dear heavens,” Lady Wilton exclaimed from the doorway. “What in the world is this shouting about?”
Richard turned towards his mother, his voice still seething. “Miss Theodosia is working with Mr. Smith. She’s been deceiving us all along.”
“That is not true!” Theodosia cried. “If you’d just stop for one moment and let me explain?—”
“To tell more lies?” Richard spat. “I’ve heard quite enough of those from you.”
Her fists clenched at her sides, her whole body rigid with frustration. “You are the most infuriating man I have ever met. I’ve been trying to help you!”
He looked at her incredulously. “If this is your version of help, I want no part of it.”
Lady Wilton raised her hand, her tone firm but even. “Enough. This shouting serves no purpose. Both of you are clearly overwrought. Retire for the night. We can speak calmly and sensibly tomorrow.”
Richard didn’t back down. “How do we know Miss Theodosia won’t vanish in the night as well?”
Theodosia turned to him. “I’m still here, am I not?”
“For now,” he said, stepping closer until only a breath of space stood between them. “But understand this, if I don’t like your answers come morning, I’ll summon the constable myself and have you arrested for your part in this deception.”
Her chin lifted defiantly. “And what crimes, pray tell, do you think I’ve committed?”
