But could Theo live with herself if she caused any of them disgrace? And Cart, along with Jude and the children, would see all their hard work destroyed by her thoughtless behavior. Everything they’d built for their family would be for nothing. Society would shun them once again.
And Alistair, he’d toiled just as hard to give Adeline the season she deserved…and all Theo had done was jeopardize his efforts. He’d warned her that the ladies would be unable to keep their secret from society, he’d begged her to help him keep Adeline from ruining her name. The ironic part was that it wasn’t Adeline, but Theo, who would be responsible for Alistair’s family disgrace.
Gladstone following her—and her friends—was unsettling enough, but if she agreed to their sham of a betrothal, what would he ask—demand—of her next? She could not be the true reason he was willing to go through so much trouble to wed her. He could blackmail any young woman.
“Why me, Mr. Gladstone?” Theo asked. “I am the daughter of an impoverished lord, the only sister of an academic man who seeks knowledge over power and prestige. I am not settled with a large dowry.”
“Money is not everything, Theodora, or did you not learn that lesson?”
“I have never taken much stock in monetary amounts,” she conceded. “But I do know many men, especially those seeking to improve their status, are interested when a large dowry is settled on a woman; whether it be pounds, land, or properties—even a percentage of business ventures.”
“I have enough coin and many successful business transactions coming to fruition. What I do not have is a title.”
The man could not be so daft. “I do not come with a title.”
“But you do come with a brother—an earl, no less—who has established quite an impressive influence about town, with many friends in places I have yet to gain entrance to.”
Theo remembered Alistair’s warning: Gladstone’s tendency for gambling, women, and power. She’d ignored his cautions, thinking there was no reason to hear of Oliver’s flaws because he was nothing to her. Mr. Price had labored on about the man’s false sense of righteousness, his proclamation of his charitable nature. Gladstone had Theo’s mother fooled, but he’d never held such power over her.
Not then, and certainly not now.
“You seek to use my brother’s connections to raise your status in town?”
“Among other things,” he replied, sitting forward slightly.
“Such as?”
“That is none of your concern,” he retorted. “As my wife, you will be privy only to what information I deem you worthy of.”
“I will not agree to any marriage without knowing in advance what you have planned for my family and friends.” Theo sat back, pushing all the tension from her body in hopes he’d see her relaxed posture and take her words for fact—though they couldn’t be further from the truth. “If I accept your outlandish proposal, you will have many years of attempting to keep me submissive to your wishes, but that time is not yet. You will answer my question, or I will walk out of this room, the consequences be damned.”
Her voice cracked, and she prayed Gladstone didn’t call her bluff.
He narrowed his eyes, obviously unused to anyone—especially a woman—demanding an answer he wasn’t prepared to give, but her untroubled attitude must have convinced him it would be necessary. “I have certain debts that need handling.”
Alistair had been correct.
“My brother is not a wealthy man,” Theo countered.
“I understand that, but as my brother-in-law, our association will buy me time to make good on several notes—and keep my memberships in good standing.”
It was far more honesty than she’d thought to gain from him. “And after that, you will leave my family and friends alone?”
Gladstone tilted his head to the side, giving no answer one way or the other.
She didn’t trust him, but as he’d so pointedly lain out, she had no other option. It was marry Gladstone or be the cause of her family’s disgrace and her friends’ ruination.
Sacrifice her future, or the future of many.
She should feel something—anything—but instead, she felt empty. Devoid of all emotions at the thought of a life married to Gladstone. At least her friends would escape harm.
There was no need to ponder her options, no formula she could apply to the situation to turn the odds in her favor, and little chance of Gladstone not making good on his threats.
“Very well, Mr. Gladstone.” Theo stood. “You leave me with no other alternative. I am certain our mothers are waiting with baited breath for your announcement.”
“You are a wise woman, Lady Theodora.” Gladstone stood with a bit more effort than should be necessary to hoist himself from the chair. “Though, I will tell you, it is not a trait I value in women. But for today, I will allow it.”
Chapter 21
Alistair dismounted, once more outside Lady Theo’s residence without an invitation or reason beyond owing her an apology for his brutish behavior. There hadn’t been much to contemplate after Adeline had left him in the study. He was wrong. In so many ways, Alistair was wrong. In his treatment of Theo, his overbearing nature with his siblings, and about his unrealistic ideals for all their futures—as well as his influence in each. Most of all, he’d pushed Theo away. She’d had no option but to lie to him, and all in an effort to keep her dear friend’s confidence. He could think the secret trivial and not worth mentioning, but Theo was able to look past the surface and realize it wasn’t the secret that meant something, but the trust another person needed to share such a private thing.
A servant hurried down the drive from the stables beyond the house and took hold of Alistair’s horse. “Beg’n ye pardon for da wait, sir,” the stable hand said. “There be much afoot at m’lord’s house.”
The man led Alistair’s mount around the house and toward the stables without another word or the chance for Alistair to ask what was afoot. For a brief moment, he worried something untoward had occurred within; however, no black trappings were hung.
He paused a moment longer, allowing the remorse regarding his actions to return. The coming apology would be difficult. He wasn’t used to issuing them, and Alistair was not certain Theo would accept his words. Nor was he sure she would even listen to his apology. However, he must make her hear him out fully. It all went far deeper than him offering a statement in defense of his actions. He cared about Theo. He would have little peace until she forgave him.
He imagined the sight of her smirk when she’d bested him at Whitechapel…he was foolish to think it had meant more than it did, but certainly she’d felt the connection between them as much as he.
She was his first stop on his round to make good on his promise to fix the situation he’d created. Next, he’d speak with Abel and Adeline, offer his sincere regret for his behavior and beg them to forgive him…and ask them to work with him toward their future. If the three joined forces toward a common goal, they would be unstoppable. A whole crop of gossiping dowagers wouldn’t be able to prevent them from attaining a successful match—if only they could settle on a way to work together. They were blood. Alistair needed their pardon as much as he needed Theodora’s.
Alistair was stalling; scared Theo would rebuff him, even though he came in repentance.
He would never know if she could forgive him if he didn’t knock on her door. With one final deep breath, Alistair strode down the drive and up the front steps, stopping before the massive double doors before knocking loudly. One, two, three pounds with his closed fist brought a servant hastily to the door.
“Good day, sir,” a familiar servant called. “I am afraid Lady Theodora is not receiving visitors at this time.”
Alistair peered over the butler’s shoulder at the activity beyond as a large bouquet of blue and orange flowers moved through the foyer and disappeared from sight. He spotted Lady Theo inside, hurrying about when the servant departed, the flowers set upon the mantle.
/> “I will only be a moment, my good man,” Alistair confided in a whisper, taking the opportunity to slip past the butler into the foyer. “I see her just over there. I promise I will not keep her long.”
Habits were hard to break, and his overbearing nature was proving very difficult to change, but he needed to speak with Theo—to see her—and no servant was going to dissuade his plan.
Stepping into the room, Alistair took in the atrocious sight of the mismatched orange and blue flowers. Certainly, the sender could have coordinated more suitable colors. He shuddered at the offensive bouquet. Startled, Alistair belatedly realized Theo could have another visitor: matrons of the ton or Lady Cartwright and the Dowager Lady Cartwright. He was prepared to offer his apologies to Theo but not in the presence of others. That would bring cause for further explanations neither of them was willing to give.
Lady Theo stood inside, staring at the vase of flowers, her back to him—blessedly alone but for the obnoxious blossoms.
It was the first stroke of luck he’d had in some time. Confidence surged through him.
“Please, Mother, I have told you I request some time alone. Please leave me be.” Theo didn’t turn to face him. Her words were quiet, a deep sadness bordering on defeat casting a shadow over her normally bright demeanor. She sighed, her shoulders sagging as he realized she hoped the intruder exited the room. “I will be unable to attend you this afternoon. I am to meet Cart shortly.”
Alistair gazed around the room, but no sign of the dowager was found. It was only the pair of them. The despondency in her tone pulled at his heart—so unfamiliar, so not like the woman he’d met before. Alistair longed to go to her, set his arms about her, and repair whatever was broken.
“Lady Theodora,” he whispered. He had no wish to startle her.
“Mr. Price. I thought you were my mother.” She swung around, her hands brushing her red, swollen eyes. “Alistair. I do not know where Adeline is.”
Did she think that was the only reason he ever sought her out? Of course, she did. It was the truth, or the guise he’d used to mask his true reasoning for longing to be in her company at any rate. He’d hidden the truth so well he hadn’t seen past it either.
“Have you been crying?” His voice thundered in the small room. Mayhap today was not the day to hold his commanding nature at bay. Someone had hurt her, and he would damn well find out who, and seek retribution. “Who is responsible for this?”
He had a moment of hesitation when she didn’t answer. What if it was her brother, Lord Cartwright? Certainly, Alistair had no right to interfere where her guardian was concerned. There were likely several times when Alistair had made his own siblings shed a tear, and he would not relish the idea of another man—no matter his intentions—stepping in.
Alistair clenched and unclenched his fists to stop himself from going to her. He lifted one foot, about to close the mere three steps between them and take her in his arms—soothe her unhappiness—but stilled himself, despite wanting nothing more than to go to her. He’d promise her the world if only she’d smile, throw a witty retort his way, or tell him of his insufferable attitude.
Instead, she crossed her arms and kept her eyes on the floor at her feet, her shoulders folding in as if she sought to disappear into herself.
“Who are the flowers from?” he asked, sensing her grief began there.
Her brown eyes, like molten caramel, snapped to his and immediately softened. Theo searched his face, apparently judging if she could trust him—and the answer would likely be a resounding no. She’d throw him from her house, unwanted guest that he was. Alistair had given her no reason to confide in him. That was all too apparent now as he stood before her…waiting.
“Mr. Oliver Gladstone,” she whispered. “My betrothed.”
His knees weakened, and he felt himself sway, off-balance.
“That…I…when?” His ears must be deceiving him. Not long ago, the vile man clutched her arm far too tightly and insisted she depart the tourney with him. A rock the size of a large boulder settled in the pit of Alistair’s stomach as he fought to find the words to express exactly what her announcement meant to him.
Now, instead of taking her in his arms, he wanted to shake her, demand her senses return and she call off this damnable union. Or far more preferred, admit that she jested with him. It was exactly as he deserved for his behaviors thus far.
“He asked less than an hour ago.” She moved to the chair he’d sat in on his first visit and collapsed. “He was rather persuasive. My mother agrees the match will suit.”
“And your brother,” he said on an exhale, the only coherent question he could muster. “He is agreeable to this travesty?”
Theo’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap, wrinkling the fabric of her dress as her knuckles turned white. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, covering her face from view, but he sensed the tears had started once more. “He knows nothing of it,” she replied, her inflection remaining flat with each word.
“Gladstone is an abhorrent, despicable man, Theo. You cannot marry him. He wants nothing but to improve his own social status, and use your family for his own personal gain.”
“You think I am unaware of that?” Anger flared in her tone. It was much preferred to the deflated woman of a moment before. She needs must fight this—fight Gladstone’s evil intentions. “His proposal was very—for lack of a better word—honestly given. I know what he seeks, and what he expects of a wife.”
But, Theo wasn’t fighting it at all. He wanted to shout, “what about me?” Where would her betrothal to Gladstone leave him? Alone and longing for a woman he had no right to claim as his own.
“Yes,” Alistair fumed. He needed her to understand, even if she did not return his feelings, at least she should be fully aware what awaited her if she wed Gladstone. “He wishes for a malleable bride, a woman who will do his bidding without question. A person he can use, and justify his actions, as a wife is meant for that exact purpose.”
“Come now. I have no illusions of love or even affection beyond the physical.” She looked up to him, a wobbly smile on her face. “He cannot be so dreadful, for his mother dotes on him ever so much, and my mother is quite smitten, as well. It may take time, but we will adjust to one another. Come to terms with our arrangement, if you will.”
“Come to terms? That is not a marriage! You are more a fool than anyone if you think that to be true.” She was worth more than what she was accepting from Gladstone. How could she not see that? He could not be the only man who noticed her value, saw her wit and intellect. Gladstone would not appreciate Theo; he’d only seek to suppress her mind and quash her passion. Not physical passion, no, he would graciously use her in that area, but the things that made Theodora…well, Theo.
She stiffened at his harsh tone, but Alistair did not regret what he’d said. It was fact, every damn word.
“He has decided to gain a special license, forgoing a reading of the banns,” she continued, dismissing his protest. “It will be a quiet affair with only close family—and possibly a few friends—“ Her voice cracked. “It shall be done quickly, as soon as the contract is drawn up and agreed upon.”
Her words were empty, devoid of anger, anxiousness, dread, or sadness. All sentiment had left her.
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Alistair paced toward the unlit hearth, shoving his hands in his pockets to avoid going to her—taking hold of her and never letting go. “Where is Lord Cartwright? I will right all of this.”
“That cannot be done,” she sighed. “I have caused this myself, just as you predicted would happen.”
“What does that mean?” He halted, facing her. Begging her to lift her gaze to him, but she kept her eyes on the rug below her chair. “Tell me what is going on.” If he could only look into her eyes, he’d see what he needed to do, what Theo longed for him to do to right everything.
“There is nothing to tell. My brother’s solicitor will have the marriage settleme
nt drawn up and prepared by week’s end.” Resigned, she stood. “I am expected elsewhere. I must go, Mr. Price. There is much to do and not enough time to do it in.”
He wanted to demand she call him Alistair. Their association had moved past that of social acquaintances long ago.
Fury heated his blood while desperation tugged at his soul. “You are going nowhere until I understand why you would agree to wed that insufferable man.” The irony of the situation was not lost on Alistair. It was the same word commonly used to describe him, but he was not without morals or virtue. Everything he did, everything he said, all of his demands, were only meant to help those he loved. And at some point, that had come to include the woman before him. “Theo, I cannot allow this.”
“Thankfully, my life is not in your hands.”
Alistair flipped around to face her. “You think your future is so easily decided, that the consequences of this marriage will not affect you?”
Her eyes returned to his, empty and lifeless, though she still had breath in her. “If I do not agree, the consequences for my family and friends will be far more than I am willing to accept. If it is I who suffers while they remain unscathed, then so be it. It is the least I can give them.”
“Tell me how I can repair this.” He moved to kneel before her. There was no greater urge than that to return the light to her eyes and set her shoulders straight and proud once more. “This cannot be the end of things.”
“Alistair.” She brought her hands to cup his face, and he closed his eyes, languishing in the feel of her skin against his, though her fingers were cold to the touch. “He threatened to reveal my identity to all of England.”
“You do not care about that,” he retorted, his eyes snapping open. “You have told me as much yourself.”
“Regrettably, that was not the end of his intimidations.” Her hands fell away from his face, and she sat, leaning back into the chair. “He knows of your sister’s involvement at the tourneys, as well as Lady Georgie and Lady Josie.”
Theodora Page 23