She eyed the gorgeous chestnut wardrobe that sat against the far wall. Were her breeches inside? She had to smile at the thought. She had little idea what she would wear to make the trip back home. Perhaps she could remain wrapped in a pile of blankets. It didn’t matter. Regardless of her clothing, they’d find a way to discreetly move her to the coach without disturbing her leg and she’d simply keep it propped on pillows all the way home. That was all there was to it.
The distinct clip of two sets of boots coming down the corridor toward her bedchamber, made Thea gulp. Would Father be angry or embarrassed? Probably both. She sucked in her breath and pulled the covers up to tuck them under her armpits as she waited for the door to open.
She didn’t have long to wait. Moments later, Father walked in with a look on his face that told her immediately he was indeed both angry and embarrassed. The door closed behind him and Lord Clayton’s footsteps retreated in the corridor. Thea breathed a sigh of relief. At least Lord Clayton had left them to speak alone. That was decent of him.
She lowered her head, hating herself for behaving like an errant schoolgirl. Her father’s censure always seemed to make her feel this way … as if she was never good enough for him and never would be.
“Theodora,” his deep voice intoned, carrying with it a healthy portion of obvious disappointment.
“Father,” she replied in as even a tone as she could muster, willing herself to remain calm. Perhaps she should have asked for that laudanum.
“Are you quite all right?” he asked first. Ever the gentleman.
“Yes,” she replied simply. “They have taken excellent care of me here.” That much was true.
Her father stepped closer to her bed. He braced his fists on his hips and regarded her down the length of his nose. His voice was clipped. “I’m pleased to hear that.” His lips were drawn tight. He was clearly through with niceties. “I spent the entire ride here trying to think of a reason why I would have received a letter from our neighbor, Lord Clayton, informing me that you had broken your leg at his property in the middle of the night. I can only assume this has something to do with that blasted horse. What in the name of God, do you think you’re doing?” His nostrils flared as he scowled at her.
Thea winced and swallowed hard. “I didn’t precisely intend to break my leg,” she began.
“Don’t give me any of your sass. Why were you here in the first place?” Father’s face turned to a mask of stone.
She swallowed hard again and plucked distractedly at the bed covers as she answered. “You’re right. It did have to do with the horse.”
Father pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes. “Please tell me it’s not true that you were trying to steal the animal.”
Thea frowned. “Did Lord Clayton tell you that?”
“He told me nothing,” Father shot back. “I’ve yet to have a chance to speak to the man much. Instead, I was summoned from bed at an ungodly hour to news that there was an urgent message from the viscount and a footman from his estate was awaiting my immediate reply.”
“What did his message say?” Thea asked, somewhat mollified to learn that Lord Clayton hadn’t told her father that she’d tried to steal his horse. Although his answer meant that Father had just assumed she’d been trying to steal the horse. Not much better, really.
Father’s voice was clipped. “It said you’d broken a leg on his property and the doctor has recommended that you not be moved.”
Thea expelled a sigh of relief. So, Lord Clayton hadn’t told Father she’d been dressed as a lad or that she’d been caught sneaking into his stables. Good. The less he knew the better.
“I broke my leg in an unfortunate accident while trying to visit Alabaster,” Thea allowed. There, that was true in addition to being less embarrassing for her.
“I understand that,” Father clipped. “But why in heaven’s name were you sneaking about in the middle of the night? Why didn’t you visit during the day, with a chaperone? Or better yet, why did you come at all? Lord Clayton won the auction fairly and you know it.”
Thea lowered her head. Her father had the ability to make her feel like a recalcitrant child no matter her age. The worst part was, he wasn’t entirely wrong. She’d acted like a selfish, spoiled little monster. And she had a broken leg to show for it.
“I’m sorry, Father.” She continued to trace a finger around the little embroidered blue flowers on the bedspread so she wouldn’t have to see her father’s disapproval.
“And I’m sorry we didn’t win the auction, Theodora, but that’s hardly a reason for you to behave in this manner.”
There was only one way to handle this. Be as contrite and apologetic as possible and convince him to take her home immediately. Arguing with her father would only extend her stay in this bed, in this house. “I know,” she began. “And I agree with you. My behavior has been abominable. I’ve apologized to you and I shall apologize again to Lord Clayton. I’m quite sorry for my behavior and I promise never to sneak over here again. Now please take me home.” She finished her little apology speech with a resolute nod. There. That was what the man wanted to hear, wasn’t it? She’d made her atonements. She lifted her chin and met her father’s gaze.
To her surprise, Father’s eyebrows shot up. “Take you home?” His voice was filled with disbelief.
Thea narrowed her eyes. A sinking feeling began to spread in her middle. “Yes, we’re going home now, aren’t we?”
“Absolutely not. I spoke with Dr. Blanchard downstairs in the drawing room while I was waiting. He’s come to check on you this morning and shall be up here after we finish speaking. He was quite clear about you not being moved until your leg heals.”
Panic began to claw at Thea’s insides. Panic mixed with nausea. “I know he said that, but surely we can be careful on the ride home.”
Her father shook his head. “The ride home is long and bumpy. According to the doctor, we could do irreparable harm to your leg. He said you would be likely to walk with a limp if it doesn’t heal correctly.”
Thea gulped. A limp? That didn’t sound particularly pleasant. But she was willing to take the risk if it meant escaping Viscount Clayton’s house. “Well, I cannot possibly stay here. I’m not welcome.” There. That was irrefutable logic.
“On the contrary, I’ve only spoken to Viscount Clayton briefly and intend to speak to him at greater length before I leave, but on the walk up here he mentioned that he’s entirely amenable to your remaining here while you convalesce. He realizes how serious the situation is. It’s quite good of him. You should be thankful.”
“Amenable? Thankful?” she repeated. The panic rose in her throat making her voice high and thin. “The viscount was just being gentlemanly, Father. He doesn’t want me here anymore than I want to be here.” She could not believe her father was actually contemplating leaving her here. She pressed a hand against her belly. She might just cast up her accounts.
Her father shrugged. “I doubt Clayton relishes the situation, but it’s extremely good of him to offer his home and his servants for your care. You’re being ungrateful, Theodora.”
Thea clamped her mouth shut. This couldn’t possibly be happening. Was she trapped in a nightmare? Had the laudanum made her delirious? Father had to see reason. “You cannot possibly believe I can stay here for any length of time without the possibility of a scandal. If word gets out that I’m here, the entire countryside will conjecture as to how I got here. And it will take no time at all for word to spread all the way to the ton in London.”
Father arched brow. “I agree. That is a very real possibility. And you should have thought of that before you sneaked here in the middle of the night.” Anger and disapproval dripped from her father’s tone.
“Father, please!” Thea was desperate. “Think about our family’s reputation. Think about Anthony. If this becomes a scandal, it could hurt his future prospects.”
Father’s nostrils flared and he turned toward the door. “It could,�
� he agreed. “And I intend to leave it to you to explain to your brother why you’ve made the choices you’ve made. Now, I’m leaving. I’ve brought Maggie with me. She packed a trunk with some of your belongings that you’ll need. She’ll remain with you as a chaperone and caretaker, so you won’t be as much of a burden on Lord Clayton and his staff. Clayton intends to tell his servants that Maggie is newly hired by him.”
“That won’t work. There is certain to be gossip.” Thea tried to push off the covers and move to the side of the bed to stand, but the throbbing pain in her leg was too much. She gritted her teeth in frustration. “You cannot leave me here, Father! Who will plan our Christmastide ball?” She knew such an argument was ludicrous at this point, but desperation was muddling her brain.
Her father’s hand was already on the door handle. “On the contrary, Theodora. I can leave you here and that’s exactly what I intend to do. The servants will plan the ball. You’ll be home in time for it, don’t worry.” He opened the door and turned to face her. “In the meantime, perhaps you will act better as a guest in Lord Clayton’s home than you do as a resident in mine.”
He turned to leave and was about to step into the corridor when Thea asked in a near shriek, “How long must I stay here? A sennight? A fortnight?”
Father paused and turned his head to the side. “Until your leg heals.”
Thea forced herself to take a deep breath. “Heals? For goodness sake, how long will that be?”
Father’s monotone answer floated back to her. “At least a month, according to Dr. Blanchard.”
“A month,” Thea echoed, nausea roiling in her belly. “I cannot stay here a month. Surely it will be safe enough to travel sooner than a month.”
“The doctor is not convinced. Now, I intend to go speak with Viscount Clayton further about the details. I shall tell him that you will be on your best behavior, Theodora. Do not make me a liar.”
Chapter Fourteen
The slight knock at the door to his study made Ewan look up from the ledgers he’d been reviewing. “Come in,” he called.
The door opened and the Earl of Blackstone stepped inside. The older man had a resigned and decidedly unhappy look on his face.
Ewan pushed back his chair and stood. “Would you like a drink, Blackstone?” It may have been morning, but under the circumstances, Ewan thought a drink might well be in order.
“No, thank you, Clayton. I hope not to take much more of your time than you’ve already been forced to give my family over the last twenty-four hours.”
“It’s no trouble, my lord,” Ewan replied. He felt a bit sorry for the man. Blackstone obviously had a high-spirited daughter who was prone to get into trouble. It wasn’t as if the earl could keep an eye on the chit constantly.
“It is trouble, Clayton,” Blackstone replied, “but you’re a good man to help us.”
“Please take a seat,” Ewan offered, splaying his hand toward one of the two chairs that sat facing his desk.
Blackstone lowered himself into the seat closest to the door and sighed. “I’m afraid when my daughter gets something in her head, she cannot be dissuaded.”
Ewan chuckled. “So I’ve come to learn about her, my lord.”
Blackstone leaned back. “The horse, the Arabian. She believes it belongs to her, or should at least, because we owned him once.”
Ewan nodded. “Yes, my lord. I understand.”
“I’m not excusing her behavior, mind you,” Blackstone continued. “I simply wanted to tell you why she’s caused you so much trouble. Even still, she wants to purchase the animal.” The older man shook his head.
“Yes,” Ewan replied, nodding. “Did Lady Theodora tell you she offered me double the price I paid at auction?”
Blackstone’s brows shot up. “What? No. We don’t have that amount of money. And even if we did, I wouldn’t spend it on one horse for heaven’s sake.”
“I don’t blame you,” Ewan replied. “Rest assured I declined her offer.”
“I blame myself for her shortcomings,” Blackstone continued with a sigh. “Her mother died when she was younger and, well, I’ve always thought she lacked a woman’s guiding hand these last few years. Perhaps I should have married again and provided her with a stepmother. Instead, I’ve appeased Theodora as much as I could. The Arabian, however, was a step too far. I should never have agreed to send Anthony to attempt to buy him back.”
Ewan eyed the man carefully. Lord Blackstone seemed a reasonable sort, but there was still one outstanding question that bothered Ewan. “May I ask why you sold the horse, my lord, if it meant so much to your daughter as a pet?”
Blackstone shrugged and contemplated his fingernails. “Harlowe offered me an amount I couldn’t refuse. Apparently that horse is from an unimpeachable bloodline. My late wife had been the one to pick out his mother and breed her. Thea’s mother was a fine judge of horseflesh. How was I to know my daughter would take the foal’s absence so personally?”
You might have asked her, Ewan thought as he stared at the man. Clearly, Lord Blackstone wasn’t one to worry much about the feelings of those close to him. For the second time that day, Ewan felt a bit sorry for Lady Theodora. He’d already decided that he had no intention of telling Blackstone that his daughter had sneaked into his stables on at least three occasions in the middle of the night. Blackstone’s flippant attitude toward the young lady made Ewan confirm that decision. Further, Ewan had no intention of revealing to the earl that his only daughter had been dressed as a lad when she’d done it. “I see,” Ewan replied simply.
Blackstone shook his head again. “Theodora is the most stubborn girl I have ever known. The most stubborn person.”
Ewan smiled. “Don’t judge her too harshly, Lord Blackstone. It’s a good trait to have. I’ve found myself thinking that it’s too bad she cannot be an army officer. I fear the French would surrender immediately if faced with Lady Theodora across a battlefield.”
Lord Blackstone chuckled. “Seems you’ve already come to know my daughter a bit, my lord. I am sorry that she’ll be an inconvenience to you. I understand Dr. Blanchard has said she shouldn’t move.”
“That’s right. He fears the journey home might be too much for the fractured bone. It might make it a clean break.”
Blackstone opened his coat and pulled out a small leather purse from an inside pocket. “I’m prepared to pay for her expenses while she’s here, room and board, of course. And anything else she requires. Please send all her bills to me.” The earl opened the purse and removed several large bills.
Ewan waved the money away. “That will not be necessary, my lord. I intend to treat her as an honored guest. She is my neighbor, after all.”
Blackstone frowned. “She is not your burden, my lord.” He sighed. “She is mine.”
“Be that as it may,” Ewan replied, thinking it was hardly fatherly of the earl to refer to his only daughter as a ‘burden,’ “I do not require funds to keep her here.”
Blackstone gave Ewan a look that clearly indicated he thought the viscount was a bit mad, but he stuffed the bills back into his purse and returned the pouch to his coat pocket. “Very well. I’ll leave her to you with her chaperone, Maggie, and one of our footmen, Giles. I’ve given Maggie instructions to send me a message via Giles should Theodora require anything from me while she is here.”
“Thank you, my lord. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to ensure the news of her presence here is a closely guarded secret. However, if anyone finds out, we can always say she was here visiting the horse and broke her leg while riding.”
Blackstone gave him a skeptical glance. “If that was the way scandals worked, Clayton, I would agree with you, but if word leaks that she was here in the middle of the night, I’m afraid no amount of storytelling will make it right.”
“I cannot argue with you there, my lord,” Ewan replied, standing and escorting the man to the door. “Regardless, rest assured that your daughter will be entirely comfo
rtable during her stay.”
Lord Blackstone opened the door and glanced back at Ewan. “Don’t make her too comfortable, Clayton. She could use a bit of discomfort, that one.”
Chapter Fifteen
No sooner had Dr. Blanchard left after checking on her, than the door to Thea’s bedchamber opened again and Maggie rushed inside. The maid came hurrying to Thea’s bed, her eyes bright with worry. “Are you quite all right, Thea?”
Without waiting for an answer, Maggie flipped the covers back to see Thea’s injury. She gasped and stepped back as soon as she saw her black and blue leg. The bruises were visible above and below the white bandages. “Oh, dear. It looks awful,” Maggie breathed.
“It is awful,” Thea allowed, pulling the covers back to hide her leg. “But the leg is the least of my concerns at the moment.”
“Your father informed me that we’re to stay here … for weeks,” Maggie said, surprise obvious on her features.
“Father has quite lost his mind,” Thea retorted.
“Just now as he was leaving, he mentioned something about a limp,” Maggie replied. “It didn’t sound good at all.”
Thea pounded her fist atop the mattress. “Is a limp worse than being ruined? Than Anthony being ruined? If anyone learns that I’ve been here, our family name will be dragged through the mud. But apparently, Father doesn’t care about that.”
“It does seem rather short-sighted of him,” Maggie replied, wringing her hands. “Surely there are precautions that could be taken with your leg to get you home.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Thea replied. “But he wouldn’t hear of it.”
Maggie bit her lip. “Your father asked me to pretend as if I am newly hired by Lord Clayton.”
“As if that won’t generate gossip belowstairs,” Thea replied, rolling her eyes.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Maggie said.
Save a Horse, Ride a Viscount Page 8