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“Thea—”
“Truly, nothing.” She shook her head, returning her attention to the dirty soup bowl. I could see how she had to shift her focus when she was hiding something. “I dislike the man. That is all. I am shallow and rude.”
Not only was she hiding something, but she was protecting Claverley somehow as well by keeping this secret. Knowing Thea, she had her reasons, however misguided they were. “You mustn’t tell me, then, unless you choose to.”
She looked up again, and I fought the urge to wipe her cheek clean where she’d missed a glob of something. “Then we have a deal?”
Never in my life would I have thought I would be in the kitchen of a great country house in Leicestershire, striking a deal with Thea Northcott where I would vow to protect her. She had always seemed the sort capable of protecting herself. But she was wise to force me to her side now, for Mother wanted nothing more than to secure a decent match for Thea, and Lord Claverley was her ticket to do so.
“Yes, we have a deal.” I hoped my mother would not be too angry with me.
“Swear it,” she said.
I gave an exasperated sigh. “Very well. I swear, Thea, that if you come with me to Chelton, I will make certain you are removed from the agreement regarding Lord Claverley and not required to go to his house in Cumberland, nor his house in London.”
“Thank you.” She turned her attention away again, her hands red from the heat of the water and the acidity of the soap.
I’d never washed dishes before, but I was tempted to offer my assistance now.
“I’ll need time to work out my notice,” she said, focusing on her task. “A week, or perhaps a fortnight. It’s only fair.”
Notice? Yes, of course. Ridiculous as this position was, she could not leave them without help, as she had said. “Then I will leave and return for you in a fortnight. I will write to my mother and tell her when to expect us so she can cease worrying.”
Thea nodded softly, but I could see the defeat in her downturned lips, and it did not give me the satisfaction I’d assumed it would.
She sighed. “You ought to leave before anyone else comes through here. Mr. Fuller’s valet has yet to come down.”
“Too right you are.” I moved to walk away, but Thea stopped me at the bottom of the servants’ stairs, calling my name.
“Yes?” I asked.
“You mentioned you will return for me when it is time to go to Chelton. Will you not remain here for the fortnight?”
I couldn’t help the smile that flickered on my lips, despite how I tried to suppress it. I knew the Fuller family in passing after having met them in the vicar’s house in Brumley a few days ago, which was nothing short of luck. Finagling an invitation to dine had been easy enough after mentioning my shared passion for hunting to Mr. Fuller this afternoon when I had called on him, and he had regaled me with tales of his own. Then, of course, pretending to drink enough during dinner to deem me unfit for riding had done the trick to secure my invitation to remain overnight. But I would not allow Thea to learn how hard I was forced to work for the opportunity to speak to her this openly.
As kind as Mr. and Mrs. Fuller had been, I could not stretch my stay into a week, let alone a fortnight.
None of those explanations would leave my lips. I settled for, “I have other matters to attend to.” Like obtaining a carriage and a chaperone to ride the length of the journey from here to Cumberland. “If you have need of me earlier than a fortnight, you may send a note to the Horse and Crown. I will check periodically for any letters.”
She nodded.
I left her behind with a basin full of dishes—some I had dirtied myself during dinner—and a pull in my gut to return to Thea’s side and ease her burden. Whatever that impulse was, I needed to squash the desire forthwith. It was not something I was used to feeling around Thea, and I would do good to remember that.
She was a devil of a woman sometimes.
A smile curved my lips as I made my way up to my bedchamber. Relief flowed through me like the current of a swift river, warming and soothing my tired body. I’d found her at last.
* * *
I remained in Brumley for the following week. Purchasing a carriage proved difficult, but I found a woman in Upper Trumby who was willing to lend me one, provided I had it returned and paid her for the use. She offered her older son to drive it for me for an additional fee, and while the price was exorbitant, it seemed worth the expense.
It would aid me in my attempt to return Thea to Chelton without inciting any rumors, as well. The last thing I needed was to create a situation that would force me to honor Thea’s reputation and offer myself up in matrimony. That may have worked well for my older brother, James, and his wife Felicity, but it would never be a favorable option where Thea was concerned. We were more likely to argue one another into the ground before we found an accord in marriage.
The sun highlighted the drooping leaves and changing of the seasons as autumn blended into winter. I left my horse at the livery on High Street and walked down to the Horse and Crown to request any mail that might be waiting for me. I’d spent the last week at various inns in the surrounding towns, hoping one of them would have the carriage I sought, before finding luck in Upper Trumby. Now I needed to find a way to pass another week before Thea would be able to leave.
“Any post for Benedict Bradwell?” I asked the innkeeper, removing my dusty hat and hitting it against my thigh.
“Yes, sir.” He left, and I found myself a seat in the taproom.
