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17
For the first time in her life, Theo wished she knew how to faint properly and ask for smelling salts.
At her first glimpse of Greenbriar, the estate which was to become her home at least for a time, fainting would be merited. Had she not known better, she would have assumed the estate to have been abandoned and left to rot.
Along with Haven’s heart.
The house itself wasn’t overly large, resembling more of a country cottage than a grand estate, at least in comparison to the ducal seat, Cherry Hill. The oriel windows looking down at her and peaked roofs with multiple chimneys told her the house must have been built around the time of Elizabeth I and probably had not been renovated since. The remnants of once-magnificent gardens surrounded Greenbriar, but the beds now lay either barren or full of weeds with only a spot or two of color.
Neglect hung in the air like a thick mist.
Haven had been careful not to mention the state of Greenbriar to her and, now she could see, with good reason. Had Theo known, she might not have agreed to come here. At least the house had good lines.
Theo declined Haven’s hand as she leapt out of the coach, just as she had refused every attempt at conversation since their heated discussion this morning. Theo admitted to herself that most gentlemen might have come to the same conclusions given the miniature and her behavior over Blythe.
But she hadn’t expected Haven to bemost gentlemen.
Maybe she was ascribing an excess of emotion to the act. Perhaps being bedded was always magnificent and earthshaking, though if that were the case, she didn’t understand why so many women didn’t look forward to their marital duties. During the silent coach ride to Greenbriar, Theo had mulled over all these possibilities and come up with the same conclusion each time. She wasinsultedhe’d thought her so free with her person, whether his assumptions were justified or not. She wasn’t ready to forgive him. Not today, but possibly later and only if he groveled a bit.
She tried to imagine Haven groveling and couldn’t.
I can always return to London.
Haven came toward her, and she took a step in the opposite direction, enjoying the sharp blaze of irritation in his eyes.
“Not as splendid as Cherry Hill, I suppose,” he said, the words like the rumble of stones in the road. “Don’t judge. You can’t even see it properly, I’m sure.”
Theo didn’t bother to look in his direction. Instead, she pulled her spectacles from the pocket of her skirts and placed them on her nose. “There’s very little improvement even with them on. You failed to mention the extent of the repairs Greenbriar might require. Looks quite decrepit. Might not even be livable. A challenge of epic proportions.”
He shot her a hard look. “You refused to speak to me in the coach. And it isn’t as bad as you make it out to be. I would have told you everything had you asked.”
Theo snorted. “As I would have, hadyouasked. Like you, I find it far better to make unfounded assumptions.”
A low growl came from him. “Theodosia— ”
“It was much more pleasantnotspeaking to you.” She turned her head. “I don’t care to engage you further in conversation.” She pushed her spectacles up her nose and started toward the large doors, ignoring the glowering male behind her. He looked as if he wished to strangle her with her bonnet strings.
It would serve Haven right if she simply climbed back in the Averell coach. Fled him and Greenbriar, never to return.
‘I have never wanted anything so much as you, Theodosia Barrington. Never question it. Anything but that. Promise me.’
Those words, whispered against her skin, were the only reason Theo was standing here in the courtyard of Greenbriar instead of running for the coach.
She believed Haven.
Theo wasn’t overly surprised to find no servants bustling out of the house to greet them. She’d hoped for at least a butler in addition to the previously mentioned Mrs. Henderson. But servants required payment for their services, which Haven, until recently, had lacked the ability to provide. She made a mental note that a butler must be hired immediately. Someone who reminded her of Pith.
Greenbriar grew larger at her approach, making Theo wish she’d never put on her bloody spectacles. Better to be blind in this instance. She supposed it would keep her busy, restoring Greenbriar to the best of her abilities. Give her time to sort out what was between her and Haven.
She looked to the coach her brother had lent them along with a driver and two strapping Averell footmen. All were devoutly loyal to the duke. Tony had probably instructed the three men that Theo was to be taken back to London whenever she wished it.
“Do not walk away from me.” Haven’s frustrated snarl came from behind her.
Theo continued in the direction of the front door without another glance in his direction, pausing only to say over her shoulder, “I just did.”
* * *
He should just pickher up and drag her off somewhere. Possibly the barn. Press Theodosia into the hay and pleasure her until she couldn’t form a coherent thought. When he apologized again, possibly she’d listen.
