Page 24 of The Marquess Method
His absolute politeness grated on Theo’s nerves. He was rarely so lovely to be around, in her opinion. But today, charm and pleasant conversation oozed from him.
The purpose in inviting Haven to tea today, along with Cousin Winnie and Granby’s aunt, Lady Molsin, had been to ascertain what social event Theo and Haven should attend together to help stanch the gossip already forming about the announcement of their impending nuptials. The problem was solved when Lady Molsin agreed to play hostess to a small gathering. The trio of matrons was determined to combat whatever gossip Lady Blythe was circulating, no matter that she’d promised to remain silent. Many of the same gentlemen and ladies who had been at Blythe’s party would be invited to Lady Molsin’s.
Theo doubted any such efforts would help.
Standing to await her dubious escort to the gardens, Theo felt like a watch wound too tightly, a timepiece whose springs would snap and burst and never keep time again.
Or be happy, in her case.
Nonetheless, Theo led Haven out through the doors at the edge of the room and into the Duke of Averell’s garden while Mama tilted her head in approval.
The sky above the garden shone brilliant blue and cloudless, the sun dappling in splashes along the grass. If one stood next to the large maple closest to the house and just looked across the expanse of trees and carefully manicured beds, the wall separating the garden from the park was barely visible. It gave the appearance of being in the country, which was lovely. Under normal circumstances, Theo enjoyed the view immensely.
Haven took her arm, the heat of his touch sparking up her elbow. “Show me the bloody wisteria.” The low rasp of his voice licked against her ear.
Theo was unsurprised by his abrupt change in manner. Phaedra’s assessment of Haven couldn’t have been more astute. He was very much like Theseus the cat, forced to sit and be charming only because it eventually led to being fed.
She strolled beside him in the direction of the stone wall, listening to Haven’s boots crunch on the gravel path. Ignoring the warmth where his hand touched her elbow, Theo focused instead on hurrying him through the garden. The sooner this walk was over, the quicker Haven would leave.
“I don’t wish to attend a party in your company,” she finally said, needing to break the silence between them.
“It is a small event given by Lady Molsin. I think Granby’s aunt was very kind to offer,” came his reply.
Theo thought so as well, but that wasn’t the point. “A celebration of our engagement? Virtually no one believes our marriage is anything but the result of me being compromised, including the hostess herself.” She would have to smile and pretend to be happy when all of London knew what a farce this was, thanks to Blythe’s mother. “Lady Blythe misunderstands the meaning of the worddiscretion.”
“Hmmm.” Haven gave a low purr.
Complete disinterest. Of course, the gossip wouldn’t really affect Haven. His reputation wasn’t being shredded over tea in drawing rooms and parlors all over London. No one judged him for being an impoverished title who’d bagged a fat dowry. The gossip was all directed at Theo. Pathetic, brazen Theodosia. The odd Barrington who paints miniatures and trips over everything.
The one who would never have Blythe.
Perhaps Theo might never have had him anyway, but now she would never really know. Meaning she’d made a cake of herself for nothing. Admittedly, her pursuit of Blythe hadn’t gone exactly as she’d planned, but still, if not for Haven, she might have eventually captured Blythe’s affections. Yet another bit of blame she laid at the scuffed boots of the Marquess of Haven.
“You didn’t tell me, my lord, that you have a sister,” Theo said before stumbling over a rock on the path.
Haven caught her deftly. “Christ, just wear your spectacles.”
Theo gritted her teeth, deciding right then and there she would continue tonotwear them if only to irritate Haven. “Here’s the wisteria.” She stopped before the vines with their purple clusters of flowers. “Lovely, isn’t it? Shall we return?”
“You never asked if I had a sister. Or anything else about me,” he finally answered.
“I’ll assume that since you only mentioned Jacinda over tea, there are no additional Collingwood siblings for me to contend with.”
“The Collingwoods are not nearly as prolific as the Barringtons,” he replied blandly. “There is only Jacinda. Not a bastard or a duke among the fold.”
She pretended not to hear the slur against Leo. “And an uncle.”
Haven had made no mention of bringing either his sister or uncle to London for their wedding. Maybe he thought, given the circumstances, their presence at the ceremony would be awkward. Though not as awkward as Lady Molsin’s little party was bound to be. Theo felt ill just thinking about it. At least if she didn’t wear her spectacles, she wouldn’t see the looks of pity and derision directed her way.
“Jacinda and Phaedra are about the same age,” Haven said. “She loves books. Reads constantly. The library at Greenbriar is fairly extensive, or at least it used to be.”
Theo assumed he meant before the previous Marquess of Haven had bankrupted the estate and sold off everything of value, including the books. Cousin Winnie had given Mama the entire story. Theo had listened at the door, unseen by both women.
“Due to,” he paused, “anillness, Jacinda resides at Greenbriar in the care of my housekeeper and cook, Mrs. Henderson.”
So Haven possessed someone who cooked and maintained his crumbling estate, which Theo supposed was something. At least when she was to be dragged from London, there would be a decent meal waiting. Drawing a small hole in the gravel of the path with the toe of her shoe, she said, “So your uncle resides at Greenbriar as well?”
“He does. Erasmus returned to England just prior to my father’s death. I was still traveling abroad.”
