The Marquess Method by Kathleen Ayers
7
The Dowager Duchess of Averell awaited them, her features pale and drawn, a glass of brandy sitting on the table before her. She looked up as Theo and Tony came through the door.
“Come, dearest,” she said, patting the space next to her on the settee. “Poor Winnie is beside herself.”
A disgruntled sound came from Tony. “I asked Winnie to go straight home.” At least his annoyance was now directed toward their cousin and not Theo. “As usual, she completely disregarded my instructions. What is the use of being a duke if no one obeys you?”
Mama gave him a tired smile. “She feels responsible since Theo was in her care. I dare not even allow Winnie to take Olivia and Phaedra to Gunter’s. They’d both be ruined before the ices melt.”
Theo bit her lip and looked away. On top of everything else, her foolishness had hurt Cousin Winnie.
“I had to keep waving smelling salts beneath her nose just to keep her upright,” her mother continued. “I didn’t wish her as a guest for the night. Rosalind finally led her away.”
Tony went to the sideboard and poured himself a healthy glass of brandy. “First piece of good news I’ve heard this evening.”
Mama turned to look at Theo. “Compromised? By the Marquess of Haven? The very same gentleman who would call on your sister before she and Granby were married? The desperate gentleman in need of an heiress?” She shook her head. “I didn’t believe Winnie at first.”
“It was an accident, Mama.”
“A happy one for him, I’m sure. I recall that on the one and only occasion we met, outside of seeing him at Romy’s wedding, his coat was worn so thin, I could see clean through to the linen of his shirt.”
“That’s the one.” Tony hoisted up his glass. “I’m thrilled.” He paused. “Haven was at Romy’s wedding? We weren’t introduced.”
“He arrived late,” Mama said. “And disappeared promptly after the ceremony.”
“Probably snuck about trying to pry the jewels from some of the statuary once we were all occupied. I should check to make sure the church wasn’t sacked.”
“Tony,” Mama admonished.
Theo shut her eyes, wishing this entire evening to be over. Or that she’d awaken in her bed knowing it had all been some awful dream.
“I’ve only been concerned with Blythe, but it appears I should have looked further afield,” her mother said.
“It was an accident,” Theo whispered again, opening her eyes to face Mama’s disappointment.
“Yes, brought on by your uninvited presence in Blythe’s study. At least according to Cousin Winnie, who was informed by Lady Blythe.” Mama’s voice held a note of dislike. “It is my understanding that Haven was there awaiting Blythe and his mother to ask their help in speaking to Lord Emerson about courting his daughter. Were you invited to give your opinion as well?”
Her mother knew that wasn’t the case. “No.”
“I can think of no other reason why you would be present in Blythe’s study during a party given in his honor, Theodosia. Except the obvious. We are very distressed by your lack of judgement. You’ve done irreparable damage to yourself.”
We. Her mother at times spoke as if Papa were still with them. But she was correct. Papa would be terribly disappointed in her. He’d had such faith in her intelligence.
Tony took a chair across from Theo, his long legs stretching out before him as he sipped at his drink. “Lady Blythe claims she caught Haven and Theo in a torrid embrace.”
“Yes, Winnie said as much. And what did Haven say?” Mama held up her hand when Theo tried to speak.
“Theo tripped, and he caught her. Nothing more, despite Lady Blythe’s claims. Blythe confirmed that he did ask Haven to meet him in the study.” Tony paused and looked into his glass. “I don’t think he lured her there or took liberties.”
“But?” Mama said.
“Haven is only too happy to do the right thing. I’d feel better if he’d made a squeak of protest. Or at the very least, mentioned he needed to speak to Miss Emerson. The situation only seems a bit convenient, I suppose. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume he intentionally compromised Theodosia, except it would have been impossible for him to guess she was there.”
“I agree, but we cannot condemn Haven for being impoverished. And it is Theo’s own impulsiveness for seeking out Blythe which resulted in this mess.” Mama turned to her.
“I—merely wished a moment alone. His study seemed convenient—”
Mama made a sound of disbelief. “Theodosia.”
“Don’t either of you care in the least that I’m being forced to marry a man I don’t even like?” she said, looking up at them both. Self-pity threatened to overwhelm her. None of this was her fault. “That I love Blythe?”
Her mother set her glass of brandy down on the table with such violence, Theo thought the fine crystal might shatter.
“Tony,” Mama said in a firm tone. “I’m sure you’re exhausted with recent events, not to mention handling Elysium. I wish to speak to Theodosia alone. We can continue our discussion tomorrow.”
Not many would dare to dismiss the Duke of Averell so casually, except his stepmother.
“As you wish, madam.” Tony bowed politely, pausing only to press a kiss atop Theo’s head before carrying his glass from the room.
Mama waited for the sound of Tony’s steps to fade before picking up her brandy again. She took a sip, regarding Theo over the rim of her glass.
“I have had enough, Theodosia.”
“But—”
“Do not dare interrupt me. I have stood by these past few months and watched you make a complete cake of yourself over the Earl of Blythe. Yes, he is charming. Handsome. Pays you an inordinate amount of attention, most of it directed toward your bosom. Not a bit of his behavior is that of a man with honorable intentions. Or a man with any intentions toward you at all. I think that despite your best efforts, there is little you could have done to induce him to offer for you.”
“I’m not sure that is entirely true,” Theo protested weakly, knowing that her mother was right. Hadn’t she belatedly come to the same conclusion tonight?
“You are not a stupid girl, Theodosia, though you’ve behaved recently as if you’ve not a brain in your head. You were the one I didn’t have to worry over. Romy was always marching about, declaring how she must lead and everyone else should follow. Olivia is kindness itself, so much so I’ve always worried her good nature would be taken advantage of. Phaedra,” Mama’s face took on a pinched look, “is destined for some sort of catastrophe. It is merely too soon to tell. But you? My reclusive artist? My lover of mysteries and romantic novels? My biggest worry has been you’d never leave your studio to associate with the rest of the world but would continue to live your life in the clouds. I thought Blythe a phase. A way to distract yourself because of,” the words stumbled, and her mother paled, “your father.”
Theo tried to take a breath, but it hurt far too much. “No.” She shook her head. “That isn’t the case.” Blythe wasn’t some sort of shiny distraction. “I love Blythe. Adore him.”
“Listen to yourself, Theo.” Mama shook her head. “How many times have I warned you and your sisters that it is one thing to be bold, another to be brazen? Did you assume behaving in such a flirtatious way would earn Blythe’s admiration? He probably told you he found such behavior original. Becoming.” Her fingers fluttered about her glass. “Or other such nonsense.”
Theo looked away because Blythe had used those very words. She and her sisters had often mocked the flagrant ways in which young ladies tried to catch a gentleman’s attention. Imitating the coos and chirps they made while batting their eyes and fluttering their fans.
Theo had become one of them. A nitwit.
“Has Blythe taken liberties?”
“No.” Theo’s gaze shot back to her mother. “Of course not. He has never been anything but a gentleman.”
“Smarter than the average rake. I suppose I should be thankful. Is there any remaining idiocy I should be made aware of?”
Theo thought of the miniature, still in Haven’s possession. That would certainly qualify as idiocy. “No, Mama.”
“As I mentioned, I’ve met Haven,” her mother said. “Briefly. He’s certainly handsome in a rough sort of way. Charming when he chooses to be. Intelligent. We spoke about the stars, of all things. I can see why Miss Emerson found him so appealing. Perhaps having him in our family will not be as terrible as we all suppose. In spite of Tony’s feelings, Haven can’t possibly be any worse than Granby.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Theo murmured.
“You realize, Theo, that you do not have to like or live with Haven after a time should you find your marriage intolerable. If you decide you don’t suit—”
“We don’t.”
“After a time, you might go your separate ways. Many marriages succeed in such a way. It isn’t what I’ve wished for you, but perhaps you might agree to such an understanding with Haven.”
Theo had never been more miserable in her entire life. Her future opened before her, empty of any love or affection. Her marriage reduced to nothing more than duty. A small whimper left her before she could stop it. This was all so unfair.
Mama took her hand. “What’s done is done, Theodosia. You must now decide whether you will choose to remain bitter or find your own happiness. As a married woman, you are afforded greater freedom to do as you please, especially if you and Haven are of the same mind.” She pressed a kiss to Theo’s temple. “Now, I think I’ve given you much to consider. It has been a long night.” Mama stood. “Don’t wait too much longer to seek your bed.”
She nodded, relieved to be alone with her thoughts as her mother shut the drawing room doors behind her.
Theo sat for a long time after, staring into the fire and contemplating the strange, horrible turn her life had taken in the last several hours. She hadn’t yet collapsed in a fit of tears. Or fainted. Both were points in her favor. Defiantly, she went to the sideboard and poured herself a finger of scotch, as she’d seen her brother do.
Bringing the glass to her lips, Theo tossed back the liquid, gasping as fire burned down her throat before warming her from the inside out. She didn’t even cough.
Straightening her shoulders, Theo set down the glass and proceeded up the stairs, determined to shed not one single tear until she was in the privacy of her room.
