by Regina Darcy
Briefly Theodora sketched out what had occurred to force the man to use a false name, seeing recognition dawning slowly in their eyes. “And to discover from Father that his current title is the honourable Lord Westerly – ”
“And he was calling himself Mr Weston,” Beatrice interrupted, her eyes glazing over for a moment. “So you believe this man is your honourable Lord Westerly, the man you are to marry who will one day be the Duke of Sotheby.”
“Indeed,” Theodora replied with a sigh. “Although I would have wed him without so much as a tuppence to his name.”
Caroline made a small sound in the back of her throat, her eyebrows lifting. “You care for the man then, Theodora?”
Theodora smiled, hardly daring to give expression to what she felt for him. “I believe I love him,” she said softly, fighting the desire to twirl around the floor and clap her hands with delight. “And I know that he cares for me, even though he has not been able to express it. It is almost more than I can take in! I can hardly believe my good fortune!”
Beatrice frowned, her eyebrows knotting together as she regarded Theodora carefully. “Did not Father say something about his title being under some kind of confusion? Is that because he was in the army and had this dreadful issue hanging over his head?”
“Yes indeed,” Theodora replied, glad that her sisters could see it as easily as she. “Had his name not been cleared, he would have somehow ensured his brother took the title whilst ensuring he kept his own life away from danger. He has been in correspondence with his mother, however, and I believe all is now settled.” Her happiness began to overflow as she saw Beatrice begin to smile, all now clear in her mind.
“And Father knows none of this?” Caroline asked slowly.
“No of course not!” Theodora chuckled, imagining the look on her father’s face should he discover what she had been doing. “He is quite without awareness, and I should like to keep it that way.”
“Then I am very glad for you,” Caroline said, reaching for Theodora’s hand and squeezing it gently. “For to be united in a marriage that holds love and affection is quite wonderful, something I am sure not everyone is able to find.” Theodora caught a slight flicker of sadness in her eyes as though her sister considered herself without hope or prospects. It was a feeling she could easily understand, having felt the same way for so long.
“You need not fear for yourself, Caroline,” she said quietly, squeezing her sister’s hand. “Once I am wed, I will be able to … introduce you to a great many new acquaintances. You shall find a man of your own to love, I am quite sure of it.”
Caroline smiled back at her, her sadness fading as she realised that Theodora spoke the truth.
“I am very happy for you too,” Beatrice interrupted, breaking the moment entirely and apparently quite deliberately. “Although Father will not be happy if we continue to keep him waiting!”
Theodora laughed and dropped Caroline’s hand. “You are quite right, Beatrice. Come now, let us go. I am almost too excited to wait a moment longer!”
***
“Ah, Theodora!”
Even though they were a trifle late, Lord Lockley seemed in good spirits, bestowing a rare smile on his eldest daughter. “You look quite lovely this evening. More beautiful than I have ever seen you.”
“Thank you, Papa,” Theodora replied quietly, her heart filling at her father’s compliments.
He paused for a moment, his expression suddenly arrested. “That locket,” he murmured, reaching for it. “I thought – ”
Aware of what he was looking at, Theodora lifted it carefully from around her neck and handed it to her father.
“I found it in a shop window,” she said quietly, aware of just how much emotion this would bring. “It is very much like hers is it not?”
He did not say anything for some time, staring down at the tiny locket in his hand. Theodora saw the way his jaw set firmly, a sign that he was fighting his emotions. Quietly, her sisters climbed in the carriage and left Theodora and her father alone.
“It is quite beautiful,” he said hoarsely, managing to look down into her face. “You found it in a shop window did you say?”
“I did,” Theodora replied, smiling at him. “It reminded me of mama.”
He cleared his throat gruffly and placed the locket back around her neck, a sad smile slowly spreading across his face.
“May I say,” he continued, grasping her hand for a moment, “that you look very much like your mother, Theodora. I know how happy she would be for you and how proud she would be also. I do hope that one day you mean as much to your betrothed as your mother meant to me.”
Theodora’s heart clenched, her chest filling with emotion as she tried to smile back at her father. Tears sprang to her eye as they stood together, both missing the lady they spoke of. For a moment, it felt as though she were standing right there with them, love shining from her eyes in the familiar way it had always done. Theodora dropped her head and fought her tears, knowing that she could not let a single one fall – otherwise her eyes might become red-rimmed and puffy. And that would not do when one was to meet their betrothed!
“Come now,” Lord Lockley said after a moment had passed. “We must not wait a moment longer. I am quite sure your betrothed is eager to meet you and I hope that you are as eager to meet him.”
“I am, Father,” Theodora said, reaching up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for all that you have done for me. I know I will be happy with Lord Westerly.”
“I do hope so,” he replied, handing her up to the carriage and coming to sit across from her. Tapping the roof, he smiled at each of his daughters in turn as the carriage began to pull away. Theodora did not think that she had ever been so happy.
EIGHT
The ball was already in full swing by the time Theodora and her sisters entered, her father greeting the hostess with evident delight.
Theodora was presented as were her sisters after her, and she managed to smile and nod as she ought, but found it almost impossible to say even a single word such was the strength of the emotions she felt. Her heart was racing in her chest, her entire body abuzz with anticipation.
“Well, now,” Lord Lockley boomed, putting one hand on Theodora’s shoulder. “We shall have to find your betrothed will we not?” He chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he looked down at her. “Go off and enjoy yourself, my dear. I shall find him and then make the introductions as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Papa,” Theodora whispered as her father patted her shoulder and turned towards the card room. She hoped desperately that he would not lose himself in a game only to realise much later in the evening that she had yet to meet her betrothed, for she was not quite sure she would be able to wait for such a length of time.
“Come, Theodora,” Caroline murmured, looping her hand through her sister’s and drawing her down the steps and further into the ballroom. “We can enjoy ourselves until Papa returns.”
“I know you are eager to dance,” Theodora replied with a smile. “What a shame that Beatrice cannot enjoy this evening!”
Beatrice, given her age and the fact that she was not out, had been left at home in the care of an elderly companion that their father had hired for such occasions as this. Beatrice had been quite outspoken about her displeasure in the matter, but it could not be helped. Theodora had promised to give her as much of a description of the evening as possible, come the morrow.
“Ah, Miss Winters!”
Turning her head to see who had spoken her name, Theodora was pleasantly surprised to see Lady Raven approach, her eyes smiling as she greeted her.
“I am delighted to see you,” Theodora said warmly. “In truth, Papa has gone to the card room, and I am afraid I know very few others here.”
Lady Raven nodded, quite understanding. “We were invited to the ball by the Dowager Duchess of Sotheby on behalf of her son, and naturally we were eager to attend. At times, country life can be exceedingly dull!”
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Theodora chuckled, finding that she quite disagreed. Of late, country life had been more than a little exciting.
“Might you introduce us?” Caroline asked, having greeted Lady Raven. “We know so few people here and I am inclined to dance.”
Lady Raven was eager to do so, and soon Caroline and Beatrice found themselves with partners. Lady Raven was escorted onto the floor by her husband. Theodora claimed that she did not want to dance and was quite happy to watch her sisters, stepping back into the shadows by the wall of the large room.
Where is he?
Her eyes searched the crowd, thinking that she might never see him amongst the throng of guests. Her entire being was alive with expectation, her fingers knotting together as she continued her search for him.
Suddenly, their eyes met from across the room – and Theodora found that she could not breathe. He stared at her for a moment, seemingly quite astonished to see her present, although she put that down to the nervous excitement she felt at having their engagement publicly announced.
She wanted to make her way towards him, but the dancing couples prevented her from doing so. Instead, she allowed her gaze to linger on him, her heart lifting as she saw the way he began to smile, the astonishment sliding from his face.
“Theodora!”
Jolted from her reverie, Theodora looked up to see her father holding out his arm impatiently, evidently waiting for her.
“Do you wish to meet him or not?”
Theodora jumped to attention, putting her hand on her father’s arm at once, growing hot all over at the thought of being introduced to her love. “Of course, Father. Where is he?”
“This way,” Lord Lockley replied now smiling. “Come now.”
Theodora walked with her father, her heart slamming into her chest with such force that she was quite sure everyone in the room could hear it. Thinking that her father was simply making his way around the dancers before taking her towards her dear William, Theodora slowed down her steps as she realised he was leading her in entirely the opposite direction.
“You are not anxious are you, Theodora?” Lord Lockley chuckled, his eyes lit with mirth. “That is not like you in the least! Come now, he is just over here.”
Desperately, Theodora threw a glance over her shoulder, catching sight of William staring after her with a look of confusion on his face. She wanted more than anything to drop her father’s arm and run towards him but knew she could not.
The cold realisation of what was happening began to permeate through her. Her betrothed was not William. She clenched her fists in despair. What had she done? She had already agreed to the engagement and as such was bound to whomever it was that had agreed to wed her.
“Here is my daughter, Theodora,” she heard her father say, forcing her to swivel her head back towards him. “Your betrothed.”
With a mouth that didn’t seem to work, Theodora did her best to mutter something and curtsy, hardly able to bring her eyes to meet his. When she did manage, she saw a gentleman regarding her with a questioning look, evidently perceiving her lack of enthusiasm.
“Theodora, this is Lord Westerly.”
The gentleman in question reached out and grasped her hand, bowing over it although his lips hovered an inch above the back of her hand, not touching her skin even briefly.
“I am delighted to meet you, Miss Winters,” the gentleman murmured with no warmth or welcome evident in his expression.
She did not know what to say or how to react, her mind screaming that this was not the man she had agreed to wed, that this was not her Lord Westerly.
“My dear Lord Westerly. You were to be the new Duke of Sotheby,” her father continued blithely, completely unaware of Theodora’s discomfort. “But I hear that your brother has returned from the grave!”
“Indeed he has,” the gentleman replied, his voice grave and rough. Theodora brought her eyes to his once more, finding them to be almost the exact colour as her William’s. This was William’s brother then. And that meant that William was the duke. A stone settled in the pit of her stomach as she realised what had happened and how confused she had become.
“We are all glad to have him back, of course,” the gentleman continued, sounding not pleased in the least. “As my mother conveyed to you, there was the question as to whether or not I would take on the title, but now that he has appeared fine and well, I am simply to remain Lord Westerly.”
Lord Lockley harrumphed but placed a hand on Theodora’s arm. “I can assure you that my daughter does not care for titles and the like, just for a husband who can provide for her,” he said carefully. “I am aware that you will be an anchor for her, that you will offer safety and security for her future. Both she and I are grateful for that. I am quite sure Theodora will make you a wonderful wife.”
“I am quite sure she will,” Lord Westerly replied with no evident delight. “Ah, here is my brother now.”
Theodora now had to undergo the humiliation of pretending that she did not know William, curtsying carefully and keeping her tears back.
“My betrothed,” Lord Westerly said as she rose from her curtsy. “Miss Theodora Winters.”
“How do you do?” William replied, his fingers briefly touching her hand. Her smile trembled as her eyes met his, There was confusion and disappointment in them.
“Might I take your betrothed onto the dance floor?” William asked sounding quite casual.
“Well, I have not had that pleasure myself yet,” Lord Westerly replied with a wave of his hand. “But one will not matter.”
Theodora’s face burned as William took her hand, already feeling as though she was one of Lord Westerly’s possessions. It was as though she were not standing there able to give her agreement or her dissent.
“Come, Miss Winters,” William said still formal. “I shall be delighted to dance with you.”
It was a waltz, which meant that Theodora found herself held closely by the Duke, her chest heaving with untold emotion.
“So you are to marry my brother,” said a quiet voice in her ear. “I have only just returned and have not heard all the details, but I could never have guessed you were to be his fair bride.”
Theodora glanced up at him, the agony in her heart making her mouth tremble. She could not find anything to say for, even if she declared her love for him now, what good would it do? She was betrothed to Lord Westerly.
“I am surprised,” he continued softly, his familiar eyes looking down into hers. “If you had wanted to marry for security and for a safe future, you had only to ask and I would have obliged you.”
Glancing around her, Theodora realised that William had somehow whisked her from the dance floor and had found a quiet arbour away from the crowd. Her skin prickled as he dropped his hands from her, taking a step away.
“I am so sorry,” Theodora whispered, her heart filling with grief. “I did not know it was to be him,” she whispered, wringing her gloved hands.”
A slow look of understanding crept over William’s face. “I see.”
Theodora dropped her gaze, leaned back against the wall and put her head in her hands, still fighting her tears. “It is all agreed,” she said brokenly. “I agreed without question, because – ”
“Because you thought the man in question was to be me,” he finished, catching her chin with his hand and raising it so that she had to look into his face. A slow, dejected smile crossed his features, his fingers now running along the curve of her jawline.
“My Father said there was some question over the title,” she explained, her voice no louder than a whisper. “But that the engagement was with the Duke of Sotheby. I could understand that there was confusion as regards your whereabouts and your title, but given that you told me you were corresponding with your mother of late, I thought the matter would be easily settled.” Her hands caught his arm as his fingers dropped from her face. “I did not know, truly I did not. I would never have agreed to it had I known it was your brother. I care
too much for you.”
“Hush,” he muttered, his expression growing serious. “I cannot hear these words from you, Theodora. My heart will not endure it.”
“But I have to tell you,” she exclaimed, wishing she had spoken the truth when she had met him up on the hillside. “How foolish of me to keep it from you, when had I been honest from the start, this might not have occurred!”
“Please, Theodora,” he begged, stepping closer despite himself. “Can you not see how tormented I am already? When I saw you across the ballroom, I thought that my heart might burst from my chest.” He shook his head and sighed heavily, his expression pinched. “How long it has taken me to realise what I truly feel for you.”
Theodora swallowed hard, her eyes never leaving his. “How am I to marry your brother when I feel such emotion for you?” she asked softly. “When we have shared so much together, are we now to go back to being strangers? To pretend that we have no knowledge of one another, no intimacy?”
When he did not answer, Theodora lifted her hands and settled them on his chest, hearing his swift intake of breath.
“I do not think I can do that, William.”
He closed his eyes for a few moments, his hands slipping around her waist almost unwillingly. Theodora wanted to do nothing more than to lean into him, but the awareness of her engagement was like a noose around her neck, dragging her from him.
“I can offer you nothing,” he said eventually, opening his eyes. “I am still not sure who it was who attempted to have me called a traitor out on the battlefield, and as things stand, I might not know for some time. I will have to keep searching until I discover the culprit, and my life might be lost in the process.”
Theodora opened her mouth to argue, the thought of his death bringing ice to her heart, but he simply shook his head and placed one gentle finger against her lips.
“Do not argue with me, my love,” he said softly. “I cannot ask you to wait for me, to break off the engagement and bring scandal to your own family. For the sake of your sisters, you must proceed. I cannot offer you an alternative.”