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“Don’t either of you care in the least that I’m being forced to marry a man I don’t even like?” she said, looking up at them both. Self-pity threatened to overwhelm her. None of this was her fault. “That I love Blythe?”
Her mother set her glass of brandy down on the table with such violence, Theo thought the fine crystal might shatter.
“Tony,” Mama said in a firm tone. “I’m sure you’re exhausted with recent events, not to mention handling Elysium. I wish to speak to Theodosia alone. We can continue our discussion tomorrow.”
Not many would dare to dismiss the Duke of Averell so casually, except his stepmother.
“As you wish, madam.” Tony bowed politely, pausing only to press a kiss atop Theo’s head before carrying his glass from the room.
Mama waited for the sound of Tony’s steps to fade before picking up her brandy again. She took a sip, regarding Theo over the rim of her glass.
“I have hadenough, Theodosia.”
“But—”
“Do not dare interrupt me. I have stood by these past few months and watched you make a complete cake of yourself over the Earl of Blythe. Yes, he is charming. Handsome. Pays you an inordinate amount of attention, most of it directed toward your bosom. Not a bit of his behavior is that of a man with honorable intentions. Or a man with any intentions toward you at all. I think that despite your best efforts, there is little you could have done to induce him to offer for you.”
“I’m not sure that is entirely true,” Theo protested weakly, knowing that her mother was right. Hadn’t she belatedly come to the same conclusion tonight?
“You are not a stupid girl, Theodosia, though you’ve behaved recently as if you’ve not a brain in your head. You were the one I didn’t have to worry over. Romy was always marching about, declaring how she must lead and everyone else should follow. Olivia is kindness itself, so much so I’ve always worried her good nature would be taken advantage of. Phaedra,” Mama’s face took on a pinched look, “is destined for some sort of catastrophe. It is merely too soon to tell. But you? My reclusive artist? My lover of mysteries and romantic novels? My biggest worry has been you’d never leave your studio to associate with the rest of the world but would continue to live your life in the clouds. I thought Blythe aphase. A way to distract yourself because of,” the words stumbled, and her mother paled, “your father.”
Theo tried to take a breath, but it hurt far too much. “No.” She shook her head. “That isn’t the case.” Blythe wasn’t some sort of shiny distraction. “I love Blythe. Adore him.”
“Listen to yourself, Theo.” Mama shook her head. “How many times have I warned you and your sisters that it is one thing to be bold, another to be brazen? Did you assume behaving in such a flirtatious way would earn Blythe’s admiration? He probably told you he found such behavior original. Becoming.” Her fingers fluttered about her glass. “Or other such nonsense.”
Theo looked away because Blythe had used those very words. She and her sisters had often mocked the flagrant ways in which young ladies tried to catch a gentleman’s attention. Imitating the coos and chirps they made while batting their eyes and fluttering their fans.
Theo had become one of them. A nitwit.
“Has Blythe taken liberties?”
“No.” Theo’s gaze shot back to her mother. “Of course not. He has never been anything but a gentleman.”
“Smarter than the average rake. I suppose I should be thankful. Is there any remaining idiocy I should be made aware of?”
Theo thought of the miniature, still in Haven’s possession. That would certainly qualify as idiocy. “No, Mama.”
“As I mentioned, I’ve met Haven,” her mother said. “Briefly. He’s certainly handsome in a rough sort of way. Charming when he chooses to be. Intelligent. We spoke about the stars, of all things. I can see why Miss Emerson found him so appealing. Perhaps having him in our family will not be as terrible as we all suppose. In spite of Tony’s feelings, Haven can’t possibly be any worse than Granby.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Theo murmured.
“You realize, Theo, that you do not have to like or live with Haven after a time should you find your marriage intolerable. If you decide you don’t suit—”
“We don’t.”
“After a time, you might go your separate ways. Many marriages succeed in such a way. It isn’t what I’ve wished for you, but perhaps you might agree to such an understanding with Haven.”
Theo had never been more miserable in her entire life. Her future opened before her, empty of any love or affection. Her marriage reduced to nothing more than duty. A small whimper left her before she could stop it. This was all so unfair.
Mama took her hand. “What’s done is done, Theodosia. You must now decide whether you will choose to remain bitter or find your own happiness. As a married woman, you are afforded greater freedom to do as you please, especially if you and Haven are of the same mind.” She pressed a kiss to Theo’s temple. “Now, I think I’ve given you much to consider. It has been a long night.” Mama stood. “Don’t wait too much longer to seek your bed.”
She nodded, relieved to be alone with her thoughts as her mother shut the drawing room doors behind her.
Theo sat for a long time after, staring into the fire and contemplating the strange, horrible turn her life had taken in the last several hours. She hadn’t yet collapsed in a fit of tears. Or fainted. Both were points in her favor. Defiantly, she went to the sideboard and poured herself a finger of scotch, as she’d seen her brother do.
Bringing the glass to her lips, Theo tossed back the liquid, gasping as fire burned down her throat before warming her from the inside out. She didn’t even cough.
Straightening her shoulders, Theo set down the glass and proceeded up the stairs, determined to shed not one single tear until she was in the privacy of her room.
