Page 23 of The Marquess Method
“I’m sure Theseus would wield a sword, much like Haven, if he could. He’s quite brave. Loves a good fight. You see? They have much in common.”
“I think you have given Haven attributes he may not actually have.”
“You must like Haven a little to have been compromised by him. It’s all right to admit it.”
Theo looked up at her sister. “Wait, how in the world would you know if Haven wielded a sword or not?”
“He told me so when he called upon us. When Granby disappeared from town for a while. Don’t you remember? Romy was secretly missing her Frost Giant, and Haven kept popping up to take her to the park.”
Her mother had reminded her of Haven’s visits only the other night. Since Mama had conversed with him, Theo supposed it wasn’t a stretch to find out he’d also had discussions with Phaedra on weaponry.
“I’ve never seen anyone eat so many scones at one sitting,” Phaedra continued. “Piles of them. And he ate all the sandwiches even though he claimed not to care for cucumber. Romy had to send Pith for another tray. You’ll have to keep him from getting stout, Theo. At any rate, that is when we talked of swords.” She waved about with her hand as if wielding one. “I may take up fencing.”
“Perhaps you’ll prove more adept at swords than the violin,” Olivia said, still nibbling at her toast.
One had to be careful of Olivia. Theo had always admired her ability to strike when one least expected the attack.
Phaedra gave Olivia a hard look. “Not everyone takes to music as well as you do, Olivia. Mama says I deserve applause for at least trying.” She frowned. “Perhaps swords will prove to be my passion.”
“Perhaps,” Olivia murmured dubiously. “Fencing is bound to bring you many admirers. The drawing room will overflow.”
“Regardless,” Phaedra continued while simultaneously flicking a bit of egg toward Olivia, “Haven always asked after you, Theo.”
“How kind of him to inquire after my health.” It surprised her that Haven had asked after her, but possibly he was only being polite. Still, a bit of warmth settled in her chest at the words, refusing to be dislodged.
Olivia discreetly threw a tiny bit of honey-covered crust back at Phaedra. It landed just above Phaedra’s ear, sticking firmly to her hair.
“He always wanted to know,” Phaedra informed her, a bit gleefully, “if you were stumbling about blindly in the garden. He expressed his worry that you’d trip and fall out a window. Asked if the servants guided you about. Because, you know, he wasn’t certain you were wearing your spectacles.”
She should have known Haven’s concern had only been an opportunity to find new ways to mock her eyesight. The warmth faded abruptly.
“Yes, but I’m wearing them now.” Theo pushed the hated spectacles further up her nose. Phaedra was unlikely to notice the bit of toast stuck to her until much later. Served her right.
Theo shared a conspiratorial smile with Olivia. “Olivia, would you be a dear and pass the honey?”
9
“Lord Haven,” Mama said, “perhaps you and Theodosia might wish to take a turn around the gardens.”
Theo’s fingers gripped her teacup before setting it down on the saucer with a slight clatter. She didn’twantto be alone with Haven. Nor show him the garden. Especially after watching him demolish the contents of the tea tray. Most of her dowry would go to just keeping him fed.
Her mother had invited Haven to call without Theo’s knowledge, choosing not to inform her until it was too late for Theo to come up with an excuse not to appear. And now here she was, trapped in the drawing room with an empty tea cart and a terrible disposition. Theo did find out several interesting things about her future husband over the course of his unwelcome visit. None of which made marrying him any more to her liking.
First, Haven didn’t really care for tea. Oh, he made a great show of it, asking for sugar and stirring it around, but he only took two small sips, grimacing as he did so. He probably liked coffee. Or maybe his tastes were more basic. Theo caught him looking at the assortment of decanters filling the sideboard.
Secondly, Haven loved any sort of biscuit, scone, or sandwich. Food in general. Theo had nearly lost a finger attempting to grab the lone biscuit after he’d eaten nearly everything else. He’d graciously allowed her to have it, but she sensed his resentment all the same.
Third, Haven had a younger sister named Jacinda. The idea of Haven having a sister, or any sibling, had never crossed Theo’s mind. He also possessed an uncle with the unfortunate name of Erasmus.
Lastly, and most importantly, Haven looked absolutely breathtaking today with his russet hair falling in waves over his cheekbones and the moss-green of his eyes glowing in the drawing room. Even if he was still in dire need of a decent haircut.
It was the last part that put Theo in such a bad mood. She didn’t want to find him attractive. Or even remotely appealing.
“Certainly, Your Grace,” he said politely to Mama. “I’d be delighted to see the duke’s gardens. I’ve heard they are magnificent.”
“From whom,” Theo stood, not bothering to hide her derision, “would you have heard such a thing?”
“Lady Phaedra,” Haven said, not the slightest bit nonplussed by Theo’s thinly veiled hostility toward him. “She spoke very highly of the wisteria.”
