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Theo took another sip of the delightful brew. “I have little to offer on the duke’s matrimonial state considering it has no relevance to me, Lady Shore.”
“Well, I’ve never heard so decided a tongue in one so young. Very unflattering,” the marchioness said, with a pointed glance at the duchess. “We must return to town immediately to inform the marquess of recent developments. I am certain you are also happy with the news, Your Grace.”
Theo was too polite to ask about this news, but she sensed the marchioness wanted her to know.
“It is indeed long in coming,” the duchess said with a bright smile. “I would like to hear my son’s take on the matter before you hurry off to town. We should leave the matter of announcing to the duke.”
“What is there to hear about?” The marchioness demanded. “He and my daughter were caught in a compromising situation.”
A sick feeling invaded Theo’s stomach. Lady Edith stared at her with a triumphant curl to her mouth. Theo lowered her cup to the table with an audibleclick. That drew everyone’s attention to her.
The marchioness cleared her throat delicately. “Many ladies on the marriage mart will be rather furious and disappointed the duke is no longer available. I heard an on dit that suggested even a few widows had tossed their bonnets into the ring! Outrageous of course, it is best the duke married someone in the bloom of youth, well able to give him his heir and several more children.”
Theo supposed she was the old hag who needed the reminder. She had to work at composing her expression into one of ladylike propriety.
Lady Shore tittered. “Dear Edith, I hope I do not embarrass you, but I was most shocked at the scandalous way the duke held you to him. Oh, the delightful passion of youth!”
Pain lanced through Theo—sudden and breathtaking. The duke and lady Edith had been caught together? In an illicit embrace?
“We are to marry, so it was perfectly permissible for me to visit his room briefly for a private conversation,” Edith said, blushing prettily.
The pain was so awful Theo couldn’t immediately speak or breathe. “Congratulations,” she finally offered.
Lady Edith smiled, lowering her lashes, and blushing prettily. “Mamma, we should wait on the duke to make the announcement.”
Theo felt a deep shock winding through her, and she tried to shake it off. They were lovers.Nothing more. He hadn’t offered or made any promises, and she had known all along he would marry one day.Just not so soon…Not only a few days after finding the most exquisite joy in his embrace.
She lifted her tea to her lips, sipping and doing everything to hide the turmoil inside. She had spent last night and this morning laboring under a delusion and hopeless dreams. To think she had been fretting he might ask her to marry him. God, she felt so foolish.
They were interrupted by footsteps in the hallway. The duke entered, his gaze sweeping the room. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, and everyone noticed. Lady Edith clenched her fingers around her teacup, the marchioness’s mouth flattened, Lady Shore narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, and the duchess frowned.
Theo stood with everyone and dipped into a quick curtsy. He bowed with exaggerated civility as he returned their greetings. The curve of his lips held a mocking edge, and his expression one of chilling insouciance. She felt like she stood in a well-orchestrated play, and Theo grew more and more acutely aware of the duke’s observation.Look away, please, Sebastian.
As if he heard her silent plea, his regard averted.
“I believe an announcement to the local papers and a notice sent ahead to London would be most proper,” the marchioness began.
Suddenly Theo couldn’t bear to be in the same room with everyone. Her throat burned, and tears stung behind her eyelid. She would be terribly embarrassed if she were to reveal her feelings to their avid stares. Theo politely excused herself and hurried from the room. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it, hating how her mouth trembled.
I must leave right away.
Theo rushed down the hallway and up the stairs. She did not want to see the duke. She did not want to hear his explanation of why he must wed. Theo already understood it, for she perfectly understood theton'sworking and the power of the ladies below stairs. Honor would demand that the duke wed Lady Edith, and she knew he was a most honorable gentleman.
Their alliance had always been expected, so he would do his duty. She did not want to hear his voice, for she did not want him to ask her to stay despite everything. Theo would not be a mistress to no man, not even one she had fallen hopelessly in love with.
Chapter Nineteen
“Theodosia.”
The sound of her name was only a soft murmur on the wind, but she heard his voice. How could she miss it when it had whispered so hotly in her ears as he brought her to pleasure repeatedly. His voice, its pitch and smoothness would forever be interred in her thoughts, and she would hear his laugh and his teasing forever in her dreams.
About to move onto the first step of the carriage, she stood frozen, part in hope and part in dread. She turned to face him. “Your Grace…”
His faze swept across the footmen who had lowered the carriage steps, and they discreetly melted away with the coachman. “You meant to leave without bidding me farewell?”
Theo hated that she felt like crying. “Did you wish for me to stay for the announcement of your engagement? We had always meant to be fleeting; there is no reason to muddy the waters further. Wouldn’t you agree, Your Grace?”
A smooth mask dropped over his face. Before the duke could reply, Lady Edith bustled outside a tight smile across her mouth. Of course, they had successfully routed the interloper, and the duke was preventing her departure. Lady Edith hurried to the duke’s side, clasped her hand around his arm and smiled up at him as if they were lovers and the closest of intimates.
