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Lady Shore, who keenly observed them, said, “Lady Edith is a fine young lady who will make a wonderful duchess.”
“Perhaps you are correct in that regard, but she will not be my duchess.”
His mother paled. “Sebastian! Have you taken leave of your senses?”
He gave a grim, humorless tug of his mouth. “They are quite intact madam, why do you question it?”
The marchioness had surged to her feet. “What is the meaning of this?”
The duchess stood and came over to him. “You must think carefully! You were always meant to marry Lady Edith.”
He arched an arrogant brow. “According to whom? Society gossips? I walk to no one’s beat but my own,” he said with icy civility. “Lady Edith played a game to see her caught in my room. Why would I need such a deceitful witch in my life?”
“Do you blame her?” The duchess snapped. “Did you see how you looked at Viscountess Winfern? There was nothing gentlemanly about it! Clearly, Lady Edith thought she had to fight for your affections?”
“Who gave her the right?”
His mother gasped, staring at him with wide eyes. “Whatever do you mean! Pray have a care for my nerves.”
Sebastian allowed his gaze to encompass everyone in the room, then enunciated clearly, “Who gave Lady Edith the right to fight for my affection?”
His mother stared at him as if he were a creature she did not know.
“She will be ruined if you do not do the honorable thing,” she said stiffly. “She is a darling child, very good-natured with amiable manners. I’ve always approved of her for you, you know that. Her father was a dear friend of your father.”
Lady Edith appeared mortified that her expectations were being shattered.
“I entered my room and found Lady Edith on my bed in her nightgown. I commanded her to leave, which she did not do. When I turned to leave, she hurled herself at me. Conveniently Lady Bamforth chose that moment to enter with Lady Shore right on her heels. Do you think me a fool who would cede to such deceitful tricks? It would be a disgrace to my honor if I did!”
His voice cracked through the room like a whip.
Lady Shore jerked to her feet. “Lady Edith was gone from her room for hours! Surely you were with her all that time.”
No…he had been in Theodosia’s arm.
The marchioness wore a look of self-righteous indignation. “My daughter—”
“Needs a firm hand and discipline!” Sebastian snapped. “Respectfully, nothing can induce me to marry Lady Edith.Nothing. And that is because I desperately love another. Lady Edith tried to steal my choice. Contemptible, wouldn’t you agree?”
The marchioness had blanched, pressing a hand over her mouth.
Lady Edith drew a great gulping breath.
“I suggest you steer clear of my path for the foreseeable future, Lady Edith. If you ladies will excuse me, I have a carriage to catch up to.”
“It is raining,” his mother cried.
At the same time, Lady Edith said, “You mean to chase the viscountess!”
Sebastian answered neither. He whirled around and faltered into stillness, a roar sounding in his ear. Theodosia framed the doorway, appearing most lovely and like a drowned rat. She swiped at the rivulet of water down her cheek and gave him a wobbly smile. “Did you plan to chase me?”
“Yes.”
Her mouth trembled on a smile, and her eyes glisten with tears. “I came back because I…I wanted you to make your decision after I told you the truth of my feelings.”
He took a step toward her, and Theodosia held up a hand, freezing his motions. “I like the idea of you chasing me.”
His mother made a choked sound behind him, and Lady Shore gasped.
