Twenty-six
Thea: Sunday
Sunday morning, Thea fidgeted as Clare’s maid adjusted a curl in front of her ears. “Tell me I am mad and should call it all off.” Her own maid was excellent with clothes, not so much with hair, because generally, it did not matter.
Of course, generally, she did not attend church with Arnaud to hear her marriage banns announced.
“I would call you mad if you called it off. Arnaud is a good, strong man.” Clare bounced her infant in her arms and studied the maid’s handiwork. “He will love and protect you. I have never seen two people better suited for each other—unless his lack of wealth bothers you.”
Thea noted wryly that Clare did not lie and call him an honest gentleman of charm and wit.
She suspected her betrothed had been that, and more, once.
Arnaud had more intelligence and character in his remaining little finger than most men, but like his missing finger, the facade had been shattered by war.
“I know, I know! I do not argue that we are meant for each other. But he thinks he can stop my father by existing. Sir Arrogance does not grasp that gentlemen are not always honorable. That the lot of killers and gamblers at the inn are the kind of company my father keeps. They are no more than aristocratic thugs, willing to do whatever is necessary in pursuit of their own caprices.”
The gentlemen hadn’t reported on last night’s activities, but Thea had persuaded Lavender to talk. Knives and threats and counterfeit coins were only a veneer over the rot.
Clare shook her head at Thea’s panic. “Arnaud is more aware than anyone of what corruption looks like. Trust him. He is not just a simple artist. He’s a survivor.
” She stopped and thought about it. “You both are. And now neither of you need fight alone. I regret I can’t come with you this morning, but everyone else will be at your side. ”
Thea forced a calm she did not feel, hugged Clare and kissed the infant.
Hair appropriately dressed, Sunday gown intact, she took a deep breath, and swept down the corridor to meet Arnaud at the main staircase. “Davy?” She lived in terror that her father would attempt to kidnap him again.
“Battle plans drawn,” Arnaud assured her, taking her arm.
“Ferguson returned with Henri last night. He’s bringing over a barouche so the dowagers might travel with you and Davy to the church.
The sergeant-major and I will ride alongside, coming and going.
I don’t expect trouble. None of the miscreants will have lifted their aching heads from their pillows.
Smile, and let us celebrate with our neighbors. ”
The surly hermit wanted to celebrate? Thea blinked at him in surprise, then delight.
“Show no fear! That is perfect. Here’s to a future of happiness and no more anxiety.
” She didn’t expect to never worry again, but sharing her burdens with an understanding husband. . . was worth more than all her gold.
In the carriage, the elderly baroness and younger marchioness spoke excitedly of betrothal balls and trousseaus, describing their own with rather embellished imagery.
Thea was simply delighted having friends and family who were genuinely happy for her.
Just this one morning, she would be a normal newly betrothed miss and not fret about treachery.
She and Arnaud did not often attend services, so their arrival together confirmed rumors Lavender’s seamstresses had already spread.
As they entered the tiny chapel, an air of excitement rippled through the crowd, and the villagers bowed and curtsied as they walked down the aisle to join the rest of the manor family.
After the service and the banns were announced, the churchgoers crowded around them with congratulations. Thea hadn’t even been aware that the majority of them knew of her existence. She’d spent so much of her life hiding or being hidden that she scarcely knew how to react.
“I think half simply want to know if we’ll invite them to a big wedding breakfast,” Arnaud murmured against her ear as he eased them through the crowd.
Thea pinched his arm, not that the cynical lout noticed. “Most people enjoy parties. You wanted to celebrate. If you might try to recall, this is how it is done.”
His hand at her waist strayed upward to improper territory. “I have different notions of celebration.”
She laughed, “One of the many things I love about you is that you are creative.”
They briefly lost sight of Davy when he wandered off with other boys. But Henri and Patience magically appeared to steer him toward the waiting carriage. Thea could almost forget the danger in this bubble of happiness—
Until they broke free of the crowd and saw stout Humphries on the other side of the churchyard fence, speaking with Lady Lavinia.
Thea dug her fingers into Arnaud’s arm. He growled, seeing what she did.
They couldn’t reach the carriage without passing the pair. Thea glanced worriedly toward the couple with Davy. They interpreted her look and hustled him behind the hedge leading to the drive. The day was pleasant and the walk would be good for Davy, if no one lurked in the bushes.
Arnaud apparently followed her thoughts. With a curt signal, he sent the sergeant-major after Henri and Davy. When Ferguson emerged on the far side of the hedge, he had several more men with him. Davy was safe and probably enjoying the attention.
Thea held her smile in place and continued accepting congratulations as they worked their way toward the waiting carriage. Finding joy in the occasion by avoiding unpleasant confrontations had been the whole point of the carriage. Her godmother simply did not grasp the danger.
“Lady Lavinia has explained congratulations are in order.” Humphries bowed as they approached. “I had not realized your father had given his approval.”
Arnaud squeezed Thea’s hand and assisted her inside before she could find a reply.
Without acknowledging the American, he handed the dowagers in beside her.
The cut direct, it was called in society.
Her French comte knew how to do it without having even graced the hallowed halls of London. Perhaps they did the same in Paris.
Thea allowed herself a tiny moment of triumph—until Humphries returned his hat to this thinning hair and smiled. “I gather the boys are no longer contagious and the quarantine is over. I will call later today.”
When he swung in beside her, Arnaud wore the look of one of the thunderstorms he painted.
They’d known they’d take a risk by bringing Davy, but Thea had been determined to treat her brother as the heir he was, instead of the embarrassment her parents thought him. She wouldn’t have him hidden away as she had been.
“Mr. Humphries wants to meet Lavender,” Lady Lavinia said in excitement as the carriage pulled away. “He is not of the best lineage, of course, but what a coup if she can capture the interest of a man of such great wealth!”
Thea disliked arguing with her godmother.
The late earl’s daughter was nearly eighty and had lived in different times.
She meant well. She had lost two sons and a husband and was lonely.
She missed running a large household and being bowed to by all society.
And sometimes, her memory flagged. But Thea’s sympathy had limits.
“My lady, that American swine intends to usurp the Priory, turn it into a gambling palace to entertain his criminal friends, and he needs Lavender to aid his efforts. His companions have murdered a servant and an architect. They are passing counterfeit coins, thinking we are too ignorant to know. One of their valets is currently locked in a cell for pulling a knife on another. He is not polite company, and I am sorry, but I have ordered Quincy to forbid him entrance.”
The baroness flounced in her seat, as much as her skinny frame could flounce. “Well, I never—” She glared at Thea as if Humphries’s calumny was her fault. “His family are perfectly accepted in fashionable circles. I don’t know where you hear such gossip.’’
Arnaud spoke quietly, but with authority not to be denied.
“You will have to accept our word. We have met his circle of friends. We have correspondence from the marquess.” He bowed slightly at the dowager Marchioness of Spalding, who clasped her plump hands in her lap and nodded worriedly.
“We do not make these accusations lightly. While Hunt is away, I will not allow the American in the manor. He is a menace.”
“Well, I never.” Lady Marlowe’s mole quivered in indignation.
Thea couldn’t resist feeding the lady’s need to control her surroundings, as she once had the power to do.
Lavender would kill her. “Besides, I think a dashing duke’s son will suit your granddaughter far better than a fat old American.
Lord Fortescue has been expressing a decided interest in her, if you can arrange that match. ”
The carriage halted under the portico while the dowagers were still exclaiming and scheming in delight.
“You are a devil,” Arnaud whispered as he herded her out. “Remind me not to come between you and your objectives.”
She stood on her toes to kiss his rugged cheek. “You are my objective, sir.” Then she ran to greet Davy and the army surrounding him.
It was finally sinking in—she was to be married! The weird little girl who heard voices no one else did had found a brilliant gentleman who believed in her, and was prepared to fight her father for her.
So, he was insane as she.