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Jacinda bobbed politely, or as best she could with a cane. “Lady Theodosia, I’m so pleased to meet you.” Her eyes took in Theodosia’s obviously expensive traveling dress and matching bonnet, lingering over the gloves and leather half-boots with a small flash of envy.
Jacinda barely remembered what it had been like to have such luxuries before their father had gambled everything away. She’d never been to London or seen the house, long since gone, the Marquess of Haven had once owned. No, his sister had been stuck in the country, first watching their father’s decline and then waiting for Ambrose as he bled what little was left of their estate to support them. When that was gone, Ambrose played cards, lived with Blythe or Granby, and sent every purse he won to Jacinda. He did everything he could, and it still wasn’t enough.
“Lady Jacinda, I assure you I’ve felt the same,” Theodosia replied. “And you must call me Theo. My sisters all do.”
Jacinda might melt into a puddle of joy at his feet. He could feel her trembling with happiness. She’d been so lonely at Greenbriar with only Erasmus and Mrs. Henderson for company. His hand fell to his sister’s head out of habit, gently stroking her hair. The first thing he meant to do was to ensure Jacinda had something new to wear. He couldn’t bear to see her in dresses which should have been tossed in the rag bin years ago.
“Ambrose.” Jacinda wiggled away from him with an embarrassed smile in Theodosia’s direction. “Cease. I am no longer a child.”
“He likes to make assumptions, doesn’t he?” Theodosia raised her eyes to his, daring him to snarl back at her in front of his sister. “But not to worry, Jacinda. I do not.”
Jacinda fairly bloomed under Theodosia’s regard. Ambrose hadn’t seen his sister so happy in years, at least not since before he and his father had quarreled so terribly. Upon his return from the Continent, Ambrose had been told his father was dead and the estate bankrupt, and Jacinda was lying in bed with a shattered leg that would never heal properly. He’d been taken aback by the sight of Erasmus, not because he thought Erasmus was his dead father—the two didn’t even really look alike—but because Ambrose, like everyone else, had forgotten about the existence of Erasmus.
Poor Erasmus.
“Mrs. Henderson, our housekeeper and cook.” Ambrose introduced the woman who had tended to his sister for years. She and her husband both lived at Greenbriar.
Theodosia turned and greeted Mrs. Henderson with more warmth than most ladies of her station would. But the Barringtons were known to treat their servants far better than many of their peers. It was another thing Ambrose liked about his wife, her complete lack of pretension.
“Jacinda, will you show me inside? I’m sure Lord Haven has much to attend to since he’s been gone for some time,” Theodosia said smoothly, dismissing Ambrose without actually speaking to him.
A clever trick.
“Of course.” His sister blushed prettily, thrilled to have Theodosia’s attention.
“I’ll need your assistance.” Theodosia leaned in and took his sister’s arm, careful to match her steps to Jacinda’s. “With Greenbriar, I mean. There’s much to be done.” She turned slightly, glaring at Ambrose. “And I fear Lord Haven won’t be much help.”
Dismissed again. But at least Theodosia had claimed Greenbriar.
It had taken Ambrose the better part of the journey from the inn to admit how poorly he’d handled what had been meant to be a heartfelt apology and how he’d wounded Theodosia. His temper had flared this morning. Jealousy caused him to say things he shouldn’t have.
Ambrose was no rake, not in the same way Blythe was, but he had also never lacked female companionship. Taking a woman to bed was an enjoyable, physical release. But he’d never desired any of those previous lovers in quite the same way he did Theodosia. Their joining had been shattering. Intense. It had been more than consummating a marriage, more than a physical release. Ambrose knew the difference.
Theodosia hadn’t thought last night meant anything to him and couldn’t see what it meant to her. That’s why she was angry.
Ambrose took one last look at his sister and Theodosia before he set out in the opposite direction, heading toward the village. The weather was fine, and he needed to walk off some of the tension pulling at his muscles. Being here did that to him. Made him remember.
Besides, the only horses at Greenbriar were the ones still hitched to the Duke of Averell’s coach.
