Page 2 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
Theo hated thinking about these things and all the terrible memories he usually kept locked deep in the recesses of his mind. Being around the ton only served to have those memories flooding back to the surface because of how everyone acted around him.
On the other hand, Theo almost encouraged the rumours by doing nothing to contradict them but rather allowed the ton to think what they liked of him, only letting his closest friends know the real man he was.
Arriving home, Theo was now thoroughly famished, and the smell of breakfast wafting in from the breakfast parlour caused him to quicken his stride. On reaching the breakfast table, Theo found Alexander already finishing his first helping of ham and reaching for another slice of buttered toast.
Normally this would have been considered rude to start before the master of the house sat down, but Theo and Alexander were like brothers to each other in heart, if not blood, and the rules of decorum did not apply between them.
“So, are you prepared for tonight?” asked Alexander between mouthfuls.
“What about tonight?” responded Theo.
“Don’t play that with me, Theo. You are perfectly aware that tonight is the ball being thrown in honour of the arrival of Viscount Ainsworth and his wife and daughter.
Theo let out a deep groan. His eventful ride had completely pushed the ball out of his mind.
“Oh no! You are going to this ball; besides, it is March, and you have not attended a single ball this entire season and promised to attend at least one this year! The season is halfway over now, and you are not about to slide your way out of it. Also, I have to find a wife this season so that I can get my mamma off my back, and I want your help choosing one.”
“Alright, all right. I said I am going, and I am, but don’t expect me to dance or anything of the sort. I will do my duty and introduce myself to Viscount Ainsworth and his family, but that is all,” said Theo emphatically.
“Fine, but in between your sulking, could you help me look for the woman to be my wife?” asked Alexander.
“How am I supposed to do that? You are acquainted with every eligible lady of the ton and always have them wrapped around your finger. Just pick one!” retorted Theo.
“I don’t want just any pretty girl that can smile and dance. I want a woman that is a good match for me and whom I can love the way I saw your parents. Their love for the other was so genuine, and they fit each other like a hand and glove. I refuse to have a marriage like my parents have. They hate each other and only married because it was a profitable match to further their social and economic status.”
“Alexander, the mere fact that you see this will ensure that you will not end up in a marriage like the one your parents share. I do not think you should worry about this too much,” said Theo.
“Thank you, Theo, but more to the point, I know you want the same thing someday, and don’t deny it. I’m sure you could find the right future duchess if you just try and not shun every woman that looks your way,” said Alexander.
“Sure, who would want to marry the made duke? The only woman signing up for that would be mad or just in it for the wealth and power that comes with the title. No thank you.” remarked Theo, barely concealing the pain in his voice.
At this, Alexander changed his tone from one of annoyance to compassion. “Theo, you know there is a woman out there who will see you for the man you really are if you only give someone the chance.”
“Speaking of meeting a woman, I did meet someone just this morning,” said Theo with a smirk.
At this piece of information, Alexander looked up from his plate in utter surprise. “What? Whom did you meet, and how did you this early in the day?”
“Well, I met or, more accurately, almost got knocked off my stallion, General, by this young woman I have never seen before. She was riding at a fast gallop as we came out of the Evergreen Meadow and just barely managed to stay in her saddle herself.”
“OK, enough about the horses; who was she?” Alexander said.
“Oh, well to be honest, I do not exactly know. In truth, I did not introduce myself or allow her to tell me who she was before barking at her to go home,” Theo said sheepishly, suddenly very interested in perfecting the amount of marmalade on his toast.
“Theodore Winterbourne, how could you be so rude?” Alexander said, taking on his favourite persona of behaving as though he were his older brother, even though Alexander was but two years Theo’s elder.
“Well, yes, I mean, what was she doing out in the countryside unaccompanied by a proper chaperone and barely after dawn?”
“And you are sure you have never seen her before? Was she part of the ton or the working class?” Alexander asked.
“I am certain, and she definitely appeared to be a woman of fine breeding judging by the fineness of her mare and the quality of her riding frock. Not to mention the way she spoke.”
At this, Alexander had Theo start from the beginning and tell him everything about his encounter with the lady, and by the conclusion of the tale, Alexander stated that it very well could be Penelope Ainsworth, the viscount’s daughter.
The whole ton had been talking about her and how she was considered the catch of the season due to her great beauty and status.
Although Theo was not about to admit this to Alexander, he was hopeful that he might see the beauty from this morning at the ball. Finally, there might be someone of note at one of these dreadful things; for now, it was time for business.
Chapter 2
