He held up a hand to still her, his lips twitching. “There is no urgency, Miss Theodosia. You should finish your breakfast first.”
“My apologies,” she said, returning to her seat. “I do tend to become rather overenthusiastic when ledgers are involved.”
Lord Wilton regarded her with evident amusement. “Of course. A perfectly ordinary reaction.”
She grinned. “My instructors at my boarding school certainly didn’t think so, but at least they never discouraged me.”
Lady Wilton, who had been quietly buttering her toast, glanced up with interest. “And your father? Did he approve of your intellectual prowess?”
“He did more than approve. He believed, quite firmly, that one day women would be educated alongside men in everysubject. He always told me never to dull my mind simply to fit into the expectations of others,” Theodosia said.
“A fine sentiment,” Lady Wilton responded, “though I fear it may be some time before such a notion is widely accepted.”
Lord Wilton reached for his glass of water. “And does your sister share your fascination with numbers?”
“Heavens, no. My sister detested school and left as soon as she could. She pursued other... interests.”
“Dare I ask what those interests entailed?”
Theodosia grew quiet. “I couldn’t say with certainty. We’re not particularly close. Our meetings are infrequent and often too brief to speak of anything meaningful.”
“That is unfortunate,” Lady Wilton murmured, her expression thoughtful.
A new thought sparked in Theodosia’s mind. “I do wonder if she will read the article about me in the newssheets. At the very least, she’ll know I am enjoying myself.”
Lord Wilton studied her intently. “And are you enjoying your time here?”
“I am,” she said.
He held her gaze a moment longer, something unreadable passing through his expression before he cleared his throat. “Well then. Shall we eat before we adjourn to the study?”
She reached for her fork again. “I suppose that would be the sensible thing to do.”
Leaning in slightly, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Unless, of course, you’d prefer to abandon breakfast entirely and go work on the accounts now?”
She sprang from her seat in mock delight. “The accounts, without question!”
Lord Wilton chuckled, standing as well. “Very well, Miss Theodosia. Come along. We have lots of work ahead of us.”
They had just crossed the threshold when Lady Wilton’svoice called after them. “I shall send a maid into the study, of course. For propriety’s sake.”
Lord Wilton paused, turning just enough to address his mother over his shoulder. “Whatever you think best, Mother.”
Theodosia glanced back as well and couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in Lady Wilton’s eyes. It was the sort of look that suggested amusement mingled with mischief, as though she were two steps ahead of them both in a game they hadn’t realized they were playing.
