Page 23 of The Marquess Method (The Beautiful Barringtons 3)

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Theo pushed her spectacles further up her nose and stared at her younger sister from across the breakfast table. It had been two days since theRuination of Theodosia Barrington. The first night, after swallowing the glass of scotch, Theo had fallen on her bed, screaming and weeping into the pillows until she’d finally worn herself out.

Betts, her maid, had taken one look at her and quietly shut the door.

Last night, she’d merely tossed and turned. What little sleep she’d gained had been interrupted by dreams in which Haven walked into Blythe’s party and showed her miniature to the assembled guests.

Everyone laughed, especially Miss Emerson and Lady Blythe.

The lack of sleep had made Theo irritable. Phaedra staring at her from across the table this morning as if Theo had grown a second head only worsened her mood. Placing her fork down, she regarded her sister. “Is there something you wish to say, Phaedra?”

Her brother had already met with Haven. Solicitors had appeared. Contracts had been signed. The brief, private ceremony binding her to Haven would take place in a few weeks, after which they would immediately leave for his country estate. There were some vague suggestions about garnering support from Cousin Winnie and Lady Molsin before the wedding, but Theo had no idea what that entailed.

She was too upset about being banished from London. With Haven.

“No. I was only considering something.” Phaedra pushed her thick braid of red-gold hair, the same shade as their mother’s, over her shoulder. “You don’t lookruined.”She inspected Theo carefully. “I thought possibly you’d seem different. You know. Spoiled or something.”

“Spoiled?”

“Like pudding that’s gone bad. Or an apple with a worm at its center.” Phaedra’s nose wrinkled. “Or fish too long in the sun.”

“I see.”

Phaedra liked to provoke. Taunt. See how far she could push you. One day, possibly today, the trait would get her into trouble.

Theo glanced at Olivia who sat directly across the table.

Olivia pretended complete interest in her tea, drizzling a long strand of honey into the steaming depths. “I’m not part of this,” she said without looking up. “Only having my tea.”

“Has it driven you mad?” Phaedra blasted Theo with wide-eyed innocence. “The ruination, I mean.”

Her sister was rarely innocent. Of anything. “Why on earth would the circumstances have driven me mad?”

“I don’t know. You’re an artist. Artists are given to fragile constitutions. Prone to insanity and fits.”

“I’m not on the edge of lunacy, Phaedra. Not even a bit addled. Nor is my constitution the least fragile. How did you find out about my situation to begin with?”

“You mean your,” Phaedra leaned across the table, “despoilment?”

“Were you listening at the door?” Theo couldn’t imagine Mama or Tony had come right out and announced it over dinner last night. Though Theo couldn’t be sure because she had taken a tray in her room.

“I overheard, quite by accident, Tony speaking to Mama and Maggie. And Freddie. Though I don’t suppose he understands, so you don’t have to worry about him gossiping. All he did was drool.”

“I expect my nephew will have an opinion once he’s older.” He probably would, since Theo would likely still be living with her brother. She had no intention of residing indefinitely with Haven. If she had to go to his estate for appearance’s sake, so be it. Then she was coming right back to London. Because she and Haven didn’t suit. Would never suit.

“I’m a bit confused because I thought you liked Blythe.” Phaedra blinked.

Theo’s jaw hardened. Phaedra was also rarely confused.

“You went to all that trouble to tangle yourself up in his kite string, dragging me along to the park with Olivia.And,” she drew out the syllables,“you forced Romy to go to that stupid house party. Then you have an assignation with Haven.” She lifted her hands with a roll of her shoulders. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Oh, good grief.“I happened upon Haven in Blythe’s study. I tripped. Haven caught me.” Theo repeated the story Haven had concocted. It was as good as any, though nearly everyone, including her family, assumed Theo had been lying in wait for Blythe when Haven came upon her. There was simply no other explanation she could give. “Lady Blythe misunderstood the situation and screamed—”

“Was itthathorrible? The sight of your ruination?”

Theo took a deep breath. She couldn’t very well toss her cup of tea on her sister though she longed to. “No. Lady Blythe made much more of it than necessary. Much like you, she’s given to dramatics.”

Phaedra bit into her toast, crunching loudly.

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