Page 96 of The Muse of Maiden Lane

“But if you wanted me to—”

“I don’t,” she’d stated firmly.

As Teddy sat in his wheeled chair beside the fire in the Finchleys’ parlor, he vaguely wished he might enjoy the same option. He didn’t want to upset his sister again, and he had no great desire to enter into another quarrel with Alex.

But needs must.

“Your maid and valet already have you packed, I see,” Jenny said, sipping her after-dinner cup of tea. “I’m impressed. It takes Tom and I weeks to get ourselves sorted before a journey.”

The Finchleys sat next to each other on the sofa, close enough that the skirts of Jenny’s silk dinner dress spilled partially over one of Tom’s legs. The tea tray was arrayed on a low table in front of them.

“They’ve had ample practice,” Alex replied from his place on the sofa opposite. Like Tom, Alex was seated beside his wife with what many in society would deem an unseemly level of closeness.

Fashionable married couples were meant to keep a polite distance from each other in company, whatever they might feel for each other in private. It wasn’t the thing to display affection for one’s spouse, even among family. Indeed, it was considered common.

Not that either of the couples in the parlor ever cared. Since Laura had married, Teddy had witnessed endless displays of mutual affection between her and Alex.

Was it any wonder that Stella didn’t want a marriage of convenience? That she wanted love? Tenderness?

“I’d always hoped I might marry for love,” she’d told him.

But it was no longer a hope. It was an intent. She’d told him that, too.

A small private part of him, deep beneath his cynical armor, thrilled to recall it.

“We’ve been the veriest vagabonds these last months,” Laura said. “From France to London, then to Hampshire, and from there to Devon and back to London again. The servants have had to pack and unpack our things I don’t know how many times. I daresay they can do it with their eyes closed.”

Alex took his wife’s hand. Raising it to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Had I known we might be in anticipation of a happy event, I’d have insisted we forgo our travels this year.”

Laura briefly stroked his cheek with the edge of her finger. “I’m not at all sorry we came. I’m only sorry we must leave early. And without Teddy, too. That is…if he’s decided to stay.” She turned to Teddy with a look of guarded expectation.

Returning his teacup to its saucer, Teddy balanced the painted porcelain dish on his knee. “I have,” he said. “If Tom and Jenny won’t mind my inconveniencing them for a time.”

An expression of relief came over the Finchleys. There was relief in Laura’s eyes, too, albeit mingled with a distinct shimmer of regret that he wouldn’t be accompanying her back to France.

Teddy wasn’t unsympathetic. For years after the scarlet fever had come, it had been just the two of them, with Laura bearing the full weight of responsibility for his health and welfare. It was a hard habit to break.

Tom returned his own teacup to the tea tray. “It’s no inconvenience. We’re happy to have you. I hope that goes without saying.”

“Indeed,” Jenny agreed. “And Maiden Lane isn’t so far that you can’t travel there and back each day to work on your paintings.”

Laura gave Teddy a wobbly smile. “I won’t claim I’m not heartbroken to leave you, but you staying with Tom and Jenny does help to set my mind at ease.”

Only Alex remained silent. A former sharper, he knew when an opponent wasn’t laying all their cards on the table. He watched Teddy from across the room, a frown in his eyes.

Teddy had no intention of bluffing his brother-in-law. What would be the point? “Yes, well, the fact is,” he said, “I won’t be staying here for long. I intend to remove to my new house as soon as the renovations are completed.”

Tom, Jenny, and Laura went still.

But Alex didn’t appear at all surprised by Teddy’s plans. The frown in his eyes took on a dangerous edge. “We’re not arguing about this again. I’ve already explained our position.”

“Yes, I know,” Teddy said. “You don’t want to risk me living alone. You want me to be properly looked after.”

“Exactly,” Laura said. “I thought you understood.”

Teddy looked at his sister. He loved her dearly, and he owed her more than he was worth. But he didn’t owe her his life. He refused to feel guilty about claiming it for himself. “What if I was married?” he asked abruptly.

This time, four stunned faces fixed on him in unison. Even Alex was temporarily struck speechless.