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Haven winked at Phaedra before returning to his food.
Theo gave her sister a murderous look, toying with the small pile of mushrooms on her plate. She didn’t care for mushrooms on principle, finding them slimy and unappetizing. That she’d accepted them to be put on her plate told Theo how distressed she was. “I can see my food perfectly well, my lord. I’m not blind.”
“You aren’t wearing your spectacles. I’m trying to be helpful.”
Another snort from Phaedra. Theo kicked her under the table.
“Well, you aren’t.” Theo’s show of bravery faltered as she pushed the mushroom around her plate. She longed for her father in that moment, wishing for his advice on how best to handle a marriage which had been forced upon her. One in which there was no affection between husband and wife, only a mild bit of attraction.
Oh, very well. There’s a great deal of attraction.
But Papa was the only one who might understand. He hadn’t loved his first wife, Tony’s mother.
Yes, and remember how that turned out.
Papa’s first marriage had ended in disaster, which had resulted in estrangement from both his sons. As a result of that experience, her father had decreed that none of his daughters, or Olivia, would ever marry against her will. They were not to be traded for titles and status, of which the Barringtons had plenty without having to wed more.
Theo tried to swallow a sip of tea, but the cup shook in her hand, and she hastily pressed her napkin to her lips. Apparently, Papa hadn’t made a provision for ruination. Or stupidity, as Tony had reminded her not so long ago.
Directly after this agonizing breakfast, Theo would change into her traveling clothes and be escorted out of the Averell mansion and into one of her brother’s coaches, which he was generously lending to Haven, for the journey to Greenbriar, Haven’s country estate. The contents of her studio, her paints and pencils, sketchbooks and the like, had been sent ahead yesterday, along with Theo’s wardrobe and her maid, Betts.
Thank God I’ll have Betts with me.
The journey, according to Haven, would take the remainder of the day. They wouldn’t arrive at Greenbriar until well into the evening. But as Theo watched the sun rise ever higher in the sky while her husband managed another plate of food, she found it impossible they would reach Greenbriar today. They would be leaving London far later than originally anticipated because her new husbandrefusedto stop eating. Which meant a wedding night at an inn somewhere.
Her fork wobbled in her hand.
She would bealonewith Haven. Not even the company of Betts to calm her nerves.
Mama shot her a concerned look over her own barely touched plate.
Theo gave her a weak smile. “I’m not very hungry,” she explained, trying not to burst into tears which would only add to her disgrace. She had meant to meet her fate with all the defiance and courage she possessed, as befitted the daughter of the Duke of Averell. But she was failing miserably.
Her fork finally slipped from her fingers and clattered against her plate.
Fingers, warm and strong, skimmed up the length of her thigh before taking her hand. Haven’s gentle touch warmed her even though he was the cause of her distress. He laced their fingers together beneath the table, dispelling some of the chill from her hands. He didn’t look up from his plate.
“At the top of your plate, there is a bit of pickled beet. Try a bite.” His voice was soft. Cajoling. “I can’t guarantee I won’t eat everything in the basket I’m sure your overbearing butler will send with us. You could faint from starvation, and I’m in no mood to carry you out of the carriage. You look heavy.”
“I’ve never fainted in my life,” she snapped back as her fingers tightened over his, appreciating his attempt to calm her fears. He was good at that, she’d noticed. Anticipating her moods. Comforting her. It seemed completely at odds with what she knew of him, which admittedly wasn’t very much. “We won’t make it to Greenbriar tonight.”
“No.” He released her fingers, but his hand stayed, the palm flattening against her thigh. “I didn’t think we would.”
“You’ve done it on purpose,” she said under her breath while smiling at her brother who was watching Haven as if he meant to leap across the table and strangle him.
“Done what?”
“Relished your meal for far longer than you should have, delaying our departure on purpose.”
Haven turned to her, a patient, indulgent look on his face. “I was hungry.” Placing his napkin on the table he said, “I didn’t realize you were so eager to be alone with me. Not that I’m ungrateful, mind you.”
Wretch.
“Perish the thought, my lord. I am only eager to get on with my imprisonment.”
His hand trailed along the side of her leg before disappearing. “You won’t get a lighter sentence no matter how well you behave.”
Crushed gravel beneath my slippers.That’s what Haven sounds like. The slight innuendo in his words was difficult to miss. Theo’s heart beat just a little faster.
“I’m not amused,” she returned.
He stood and leaned over Theo’s shoulder, meaning to help her out of her chair. “Nor are you well-behaved.” His raspy whisper trailed seductively against her ear. “As it happens, Lady Haven, neither am I.”
