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“Goodbye, Astrid.” I stopped at the door. “I have to invite Theo to dinner tomorrow. Can you pull a couple of dresses for me?”
“Of course,” she said, nodding.
15
THEO
The morning of the picnic had arrived, and I found myself meticulously selecting my attire, ensuring that it struck the right balance between sophistication and casual elegance. I didn’t want to look uptight, but showing up in my cargo shorts and tank top would break all the rules. It was dubbed a picnic, but an English picnic was very different than the kind I had come to know in America. It would all be very proper. No ants would dare invade one of Lady Hamilton’s picnics.
“Theo,” my father said as he walked into the room.
“Yes, Dad?”
“I want you to know how proud I am of how you’ve handled yourself during this Wed season,” he said with a smile. “I know we put a lot of pressure on you not to break the match. You know we will always put your happiness above all else, but we also know you understand how important this is for our family and, more importantly, Victoria’s prospects.”
“Thank you, Dad,” I replied, my tone sincere. “I know it’s important and I intend to honor your wishes.”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I observed the events of the ball, Theo, and it became clear to me that this match was a wise choice. Emilie is a strong and determined young woman.”
“Yes, she is,” I agreed. “But she and I are very different, Dad. It’s going to be a challenge to win her over. She’s very much looking at me for our wealth and nothing more. She couldn’t care less about us getting along or loving each other.”
My father leaned against the doorway, his eyes filled with wisdom. “Son, love and marriage are complex journeys. It’s not quite so easy to just fall in love because that’s what you want. It requires patience. A lot of patience. You can’t force it.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “But it would help if she would at least consider the possibility. At this point, she has no intention of ever liking me. She can barely tolerate me.”
“I heard a little story about you,” he said with a smile.
“I didn’t do it.”
He laughed. “I believe you did, and I am proud of you.”
“You are?”
“I heard you defended her honor when another young man got out of line,” he said. “I know the Earl of Sunridge. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with that one. Your mother and I were in the same season as Sunridge. A vile man. I would have gladly taken the opportunity to knock him out.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the image of my father, a man of stature and authority, engaging in physical altercations for the sake of love. “I can’t imagine you in a brawl.”
He chuckled in return, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “Love makes us do unexpected things, Theo. He was smart enough to never say anything about your mother.”
“Good.”
“I am looking forward to seeing you find the same happiness Roman found and that I found with your mother.”
“Emilie and I are quite different in our views. She’s focused on duty and her family’s finances, and she’s made it clear that love is not on the table. She will not love me. I was going to talk to you about that, actually. I don’t want to be in an unhappy marriage for the rest of my life.”
My father placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and comforting. “Theo, you have a lifetime ahead of you. Love takes time, patience, and understanding. It may not be an easy road, but it’s a journey worth embarking on. Promise me you’ll go through the season. If there is no chance you two will ever find common ground, we’ll revisit the idea.”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding. “I’m not ready to give up, I’m just letting you know what I’m up against.”
“I have no doubt in my mind the young woman will come to see how lucky she is,” he said, smiling.
I finished getting ready and left the house, ready to turn on the charm. I stood at the front gates of the picnic venue, waiting for Emilie. It was a rare day with no clouds in the sky. Spring flowers were in full bloom. It was definitely a very romantic spot. I hoped it would help get Emilie into an amorous mood. As I caught sight of her approaching, I felt a flutter of excitement.
When Emilie reached me, I took her hand and brought it to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. “You look beautiful, Emilie,” I said with a warm smile.
She was wearing skinny jeans that were cut just above her ankles. Pretty sandals and a blue blouse that made her eyes look a darker shade of blue. I liked this version of her. She looked like someone I would take out back home.
Her response was a soft, genuine smile. “Thank you, Theo.”
