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“I see,” was all she muttered. “Lady Patridge was gnashing her teeth after you left. You did not handle the situation well.”
“Since what I did allowed me to get away from the macabre gossip and coquettish smiles, then I frankly believe I did what was right.”
The Dowager looked at him dubiously. “Do not be so crass. Your behavior will spread among theton. And you know the mamas. After all, bachelors are merely a challenge. And you forget that you are a man.”
“I am eight and twenty,” he replied. “It should give them enough hints that I do not feel anything toward their daughters. None of them have been able to entrap me as you so brilliantly offered.”
“You made a grave error in judgment and did a fine job in bringing my efforts to an end,” she said. “Seeing how you mention your plans not to marry, it has come to my ears that the mamas have risen up to the challenge. Your remarks against marriage only make you more eligible.”
Theodore exhaled deeply in hopes that his worries would go away with the burst of air from his mouth. “That is why I have returned to the estate, far from London. I know thetonfinds the countryside decidedly boring, and that will provide me with ample time to rest before you deceive me back to London with some of your trickery.”
She fell into a slow pace with the ivory silk fan, her movements terse. “Deception seems to be my forte. Besides, who else do I have to deceive? Sebastian lives close but feels far away because of his profession. The look on your face when you come to notice my schemes brings joy to my heart.”
“Sebastian,” Theodore muttered wistfully, wondering when he would see his younger brother again.
When they were younger, Theodore and Sebastian were best of friends. They were consummate sportsmen and hardened jockeys, spending most of their time on the sports track. While Sebastian possessed a boundless charm, Theodore had a willful streak that was carefully hidden under a layer of wits. Each complemented the other splendidly and they were loved by everyone around them, even the servants.
“I wrote to your brother before you arrived at Clyvedon, Theodore,” his grandmother said, “but he did not reply to my letter. Or to any before that.”
He sighed, his gaze pensive. “I am quite sure that Sebastian did not have time on his hands to answer your correspondence. Do not let your thoughts wander anywhere else.”
“Even the doctor that attends to the Crown has time for his family. Your brother is avoiding me, Theo. And I am quite sure of that.”
Theodore let out a small laugh. “Grandmother, Sebastian reveres you. He must have justifiable reasons for not replying.”
The Duchess smiled, her eyes crinkling as she smoothed the creases on her deep green velvet dress. “It seems just like yesterday when you boys were running under the rain.”
“We came back all sopping wet, covered with mud and rainwater. You pulled our ears for trailing mud all over your floors,” he replied, straightening himself, “even though the servants cleaned it up afterward.”
She laughed, a deep bellow that made Theodore think his grandmother was younger. “I still blame myself for not properly punishing you. The ball I hosted was almost a complete mess.”
As they talked about memories of the past, Theodore’s mind wandered off. He recalled his childhood before the tragedy struck. He had been a happy boy with his younger brother, doing whatever they wanted without a care in the world. They were worlds apart now, drifting further with every passing day.
Sebastian still blamed him for what happened to Isadora, even though it was something that was completely out of his control. Theodore still condemned himself so much that he had been unable to feel anything. Not even when his mistresses pulled him under the sheets.
“Now, you have both grown into respectable men with marriage prospects in sight. You —”
“Must you always bring up marriage, Grandmother? I have had enough talk about the topic that would last a fortnight. May we talk about some other things apart from marriage and the gossip of theton?”
“What else do we have to talk about?” she asked, followed shortly by a frustrated snort.
“Your expertise at painting perhaps? Maybe I could learn a few tips. Better than conversing about the Season and ways to entrap a woman in a way that would seem rather fortuitous.”
“Theodore, you are terrible at painting. Besides, you can leave that alone before I throttle you with a paintbrush!”
Theodore nodded, wishing he were Sebastian for even a full day. He wanted some peace from his grandmother’s schemes and evil matchmaking machinations. Wondering how he could possibly escape her, Perceval walked in.
“Your Grace,” Perceval said to his grandmother and curtsied then he turned to Theodore. “Your Grace.”
“Perceval,” Theodore said, winking to the steward. Then he mouthed the words,Help me.
His steward smiled and curtsied again, understanding what Theodore already meant.
“Your Grace, we scheduled a hunting session today. There seems to be more game at this hour before we lose precious light.”
Theodore shot to his feet, thankful for a chance to stop hearing about how he ought to get married and have his heart charmed. He wondered how he used to love being in his grandmother’s company when he was younger.
“Grandmother,” he said, feigning sadness. “I am afraid that I must leave you now. Like Perceval has said, the game is abundant by this time of the day.”
