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“So you’ve said.”
Theo took a shaky breath. This conversation had taken a rather unexpected,carnalturn, one she hadn’t prepared for. “My affections,” she stuttered, the words which had become rote coming out in her confusion.
Haven jerked back, releasing her, temper no longer in check.
“Are you attempting to convince me or yourself, Theodosia? I will tell you the truth. Had I not taken that bloody miniature, you would still be throwing yourself at Blythe in a shameless manner while all of London laughed behind your back. While you, so blinded by his glory and your lack of spectacles, failed to ascertain his disinterest.”
Theo looked down at her feet, hating how she’d spoiled the beauty of the last few moments with him. Knowing that no matter how ugly, his words were true. It was difficult enough to admit to one’s failings without having someone so harshly remind you. The drawing she’d seen in the paper this morning flashed before her.
“Your point is well taken, my lord. I realize what a goose I made of myself. There is no need to berate me further. I’m quite capable of doing that without your help.” She bit her lip. “If I should forget, I can always have my brother remind me. Or Romy, but now that she’s in Italy—” Her words fell short.
A deep breath came from behind her. “Theo.” His voice was horribly tender as Haven reached for her, one arm circling her waist to pull her close once more. “I don’t wish to argue.” His nose slid across her neck. “I see you finished it, the one you painted in the park.” Haven hugged her tightly to his chest.
Theo looked over at the canvas leaning carelessly against the wall, distracted by Haven’s scent and the warmth of his arms. He’d remembered what she’d been painting that day. It was rare to have anyone comment on her paintings or sketches until they were finished, let alone recall what she’d been working on and when.
“You’ll see that I did not forget the geese,” she said.
A delicious rumble sounded against her back. “Is that what those little white puffs are? You will give me credit for the color at the edges of the water. Had I not been there to offer my assistance, it’s doubtful you would have gotten the pond scum correct.”
A smile tugged at her lips though she tried to stop it. “Untrue.”
“There’s a nook at Greenbriar requiring art of that exact size.” Haven pressed a kiss to her temple, a very tender gesture which spoke of intimacy and affection. The action comforted her as Theo was sure he meant it to.
Her heart stretched in Haven’s direction before she cautiously pulled back. Theo didn’t trust herself. Nor him, when it came down to it.
He held her a long while, but they didn’t speak again, both lost in their own thoughts. After a time, with a chaste kiss to her cheek, Haven slipped away from her, his footsteps sounding on the floor.
Once the door shut, Theo turned to stare at it, unmoving, missing the sense of security she’d found unexpectedly in the circle of his arms. Part of her wished him back, the other half willed him to never return.
Still clasping the brush, she once more stroked her chin with the bristles, her agitation rapidly turning into panic. Theo hadn’t been prepared for this rush of affection in his direction. The ache of her body to be close to his. The circumstances she’d found herself in this morning had shifted dramatically. It had been one thing to contemplate a distant marriage of convenience with Haven, quite another to imagine—well, whatever this was.
