Richard crossed the room and sat heavily on the edge of the narrow bed, the thin mattress creaking beneath his weight. He buried his face in his hands for a long moment, then looked up. “Even if I took Miss Theodosia to London, what would I do with her while we waited for this man to appear? Lock her in a cellar?”
Crosby gave him a thoughtful look. “What if you did it under the guise of hiring her as a companion for your sister?”
Richard shook his head. “My sister is newly married. She has no need of a companion.”
“She might not,” Crosby said with a shrug, “but it could only help your sister’s tainted reputation.”
Richard stood again, pacing towards the window. “Miss Theodosia will never agree. And I am not the sort of man who drags women from their homes under false pretenses.”
“Then let’s hope you find the strength to keep waiting,” Crosby replied, his tone edged with irony, “because if the man you’re after doesn’t return, your sister’s scandal will go unresolved and your family’s reputation will only sink further.”
Richard didn’t answer at first. He knew perfectly well that Mr. Crosby spoke the truth and it grated on his last nerve. The worst part of it all was not Crosby’s suggestion, but the fact that it was necessary. He was running out of options. Each day that passed was another day the scandal surrounding Olivia festered and spread.
He was the head of the family. He was supposed to protect them.
And now he found himself preparing to trick, or perhaps abduct, a woman who may or may not be complicit in the ruin of his sister.
No, he thought. Not yet.
He rose from the edge of the bed. “Before we consider anything drastic, I’ll attempt to speak to Miss Theodosia once more. Perhaps she can be persuaded to come to London of her own accord.”
Mr. Crosby lifted a skeptical brow. “Forgive me for the reminder, my lord, but your last encounter did not end well for you. Why would she give you the time of day now?”
Richard walked to the door. “Because I am a marquess and Ihave the power to make her life very difficult,” he responded. “Furthermore, if she comes willingly, it spares us both the unpleasantness. And it eases my conscience, if only marginally.”
Crosby gave a short, humorless chuckle. “By all means, I wish you the best of luck.”
Without another word, Richard descended the stairs, crossed the inn yard, and made for the stables. His horse was saddled within minutes, and he rode hard along the winding country road, the crisp wind biting at his face as he replayed every word he might say in his mind. None of them seemed adequate.
He arrived at the manor just as Miss Theodosia stepped out onto the front steps, a shawl draped around her shoulders and her dark hair pinned in a loose chignon that the breeze threatened to unravel.
Their eyes locked, and hers narrowed in unmistakable annoyance. “What, pray tell, are you doing here, my lord?” Her voice was clipped, her civility strained to its breaking point.
Richard dismounted and secured his horse. “I was hoping you might allow me a moment of your time.”
“I believe you said quite enough the last time we spoke,” she said, sweeping past him.
Matching her stride, he stepped in line with her. “I’ve come to offer an apology for my earlier behavior.”
She paused, turning just slightly, a single brow arched. “Have you? What brought about this sudden burst of contrition?”
Richard hesitated, then gave the lie he had rehearsed. “I have since learned that you have no brother. The other villagers confirmed it.”
She drew up, folding her arms as she turned to face him fully. “Very well,” she said, “proceed with your apology.”
He blinked, momentarily thrown. “Pardon?”
“You stated your intent to apologize,” she said, tilting herhead, “yet I have heard no such words from your mouth. I believe the phrase is, ‘I’m sorry’?”
Richard’s mouth tugged into an involuntary smirk. “It was implied.”
A faint smile touched her lips, though it didn’t warm her eyes. “I gather you don’t apologize often, my lord.”
“There’s rarely a need,” he replied with a shrug, then added quickly, “though I admit this may be one of those rare circumstances.”
Her expression sharpened. “And yet your arrogance remains entirely intact. How convenient.”
“I am not arrogant,” he said, straightening instinctively.
