Chapter 18
The girls were silent in the foyer as Thea entered with a bag in either hand.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Sophia said.
Thea had already shed her tears, alone in her room, as she packed.
“Everything will work out. You both have a new adventure to look forward to, and so do I. This was always coming to an end upon your marriages. You know that as well as I do.”
“I know. I just didn’t think it would be so soon,” Louisa said.
“That is why we appreciate every moment that comes. We do not know how long it will last or if it will ever come again.”
Louisa threw her arms around Thea. “I will miss you.”
“You’ll be painting your husband nude,” Thea whispered. “You’ll hardly have time to think of me.”
Louisa giggled. “How can I be laughing at a time like this?”
“It is better than crying.”
Louisa wiped her face. “You’re right. New adventures. For all of us.”
She held out an arm to her sister, and the three of them hugged.
“We love you, Thea.”
“And I love you both. Dearly.”
“That’s enough. Her carriage has arrived. It is time to go.”
Thea had thought she had a few more minutes, at the very least, to say goodbye, but it was not to be. She released the girls and looked through the window to see an unmarked black carriage out front.
“I must go. You have everything you need for a wonderful life. Just be yourselves.”
“I will write to you—” Louisa started.
“That’s enough. She’s leaving.”
With her uncle practically pushing her out the front door, Thea smiled at the girls and made her way to the carriage. She was trying her best not to cry, but her eyes misted anyway.
“Miss Templebourne,” the footman said as he opened the door.
“Thank you,” Thea said without looking up. She slipped inside.
Instead of Alexei’s arms to fall into, it was empty. Thea couldn’t help it. She dropped her face into her hands and let the tears flow.
After the carriage pulled away, she swallowed and used her handkerchief to dab her eyes. As she steadied herself with deep breaths, she blinked in confusion. The interior of the carriage was solid black.
Where is the blue silk? Did he send a different carriage for me? Where is Alexei? Is he otherwise engaged due to the short notice of my note? I told him I needed him. I told him I was saying yes.
The carriage came to a halt only minutes later in front of a small two-story stone house.
Why are we stopping here?
When the footman jumped down and opened the door, Thea asked, “What are we doing here?”
“He will explain inside.”
“Your livery is different.”
“Miss Templebourne, he will answer your questions inside. Please come with me.”
His accent is British. Not Russian.
Thea’s stomach flipped. Something isn’t right.
This wasn’t the estate. The carriage was wrong.
Instead of turning and running like her instincts screamed, Thea followed the footman to the door.
A butler—not Ivan—opened the door.
What is going on?
“Miss Templebourne, please come in.”
Silently, Thea crossed the threshold into the quaint home.
“His Grace is in the parlor.”
“His Grace?” she replied, rather louder than the butler had expected from the way he jerked his head back.
“Yes, Miss Templebourne, right this way.”
With horror, Thea realized everything had gone wrong. Alexei wasn’t waiting for her inside.
In front of the cheery fire, crackling in the grate, stood the Duke of Carlton.
“What in the world is going on? Why am I here?”
His welcoming expression creased with confusion. “I rescued you. I thought you understood. I told him I considered you under my protection.”
Thea felt like she’d stumbled into the wrong drama. “What? Told who?”
“Baron Farley.”
Thea shook her head. “Forgive me, I don’t follow.”
“Baron Farley wanted you. He was willing to ruin your family and your reputation with stories of you and your Indian to make it happen. I stopped him, summoned your uncle, and we made a deal.”
Thea blinked. “What deal?”
“In exchange for my cousin, Viscount Ridley, offering for your cousin, your uncle would not stand in my way with you.”
Thea’s stomach twisted into knots. “What?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“Well, that makes this quite a shock then, doesn’t it?”
“Quite.”
The duke paused. “If you didn’t know … then why are you here, Miss Templebourne?”
“I thought I was going somewhere else,” Thea replied.
“Meeting someone else?” the duke clarified.
She met his dark gaze. “Yes.”
“Karalovy,” he said immediately as his expression darkened.
“Yes.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“He is expecting me.”
“Which is why you weren’t expecting me.”
The duke walked away from the fireplace and lowered himself into a wingback chair in front of it. “Is it because he’s a prince?”
“No, Your Grace. It isn’t.”
“Good. Because even I can’t compete with that.” He leaned forward in the chair, resting both elbows on his knees. “Then what is it? The money?”
Thea shook her head. “No.”
“What then?” He asked, then paused. “Because he’ll marry you.”
“In part, because of that. I have no desire to be a man’s mistress. I was raised better than that.”
“Then I’ll marry you. My mother’s opinion be damned.”
Thea couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle quietly at the unexpected turn of events. “As flattered as I am, Your Grace, I have already accepted an offer of marriage, and I am a woman of my word.”
“Well, this is bloody awkward. The first time I offer for a woman, I am rebuffed.”
“It truly isn’t personal, Your Grace. And it wouldn’t matter who you were. My heart is engaged.”
The duke rose. “Then he is a lucky man. And I, on the other hand, have made a mess of things. You have my deepest apologies, Miss Templebourne. It seems I have acted totally out of line. I was so sure of myself, and now I have a house I don’t need.”
His humility in the moment was endearing.
“You seem like a good man, Your Grace. And I do appreciate your offer. Some woman will be very lucky to marry you one day.”
“They aren’t like you, Miss Templebourne. You would make a wonderful mother.”
The unexpected compliment warmed her. “Thank you for that, Your Grace.”
“You’re sure you won’t marry me? I believe I would prove to be a very agreeable husband.”
She smiled. “Have you ever been in love, Your Grace?”
“I’m English. The eighth duke of my family line. Love isn’t part of the bargain, Miss Templebourne.”
“And yet, for your sake, I hope you find it anyway. Now, I must go.”
“Because you love him,” the duke said.
“When it happens to you, you’ll understand.”