Chapter 1
ONE MONTH LATER
“People do not ‘fall’ in love. Our nerves simply go through a mechanical vibration that the poets have seen fit to misname,” Theodora said, picking up a book by biologist and philosopher Luigi Galvani.
The ladies, and members of the Corset Chronicles all groaned in their seats.
Theodora was proud to be the sister of the founder of Corset Chronicles.
After Count Burville’s unfortunate passing, Evelina decided to create a secret society with her closest friends and Theodora where they discussed books and gossip.
The topics became more scandalous as time passed.
“Evelina, I thought you promised your sister was not going to bring one of her books today?” Maria, the Duchess of Winterleigh, giggled into her tea.
Theodora ignored the slight and continued on her mission. “It is true. You are doing yourself a great disservice by not familiarizing yourself with the latest scientific discoveries.”
Maria snorted. “Trust me. I have two little boys and a scarred Duke; there are plenty of scientific discoveries going on in our home.” She winked at Theodora who sighed.
“And what would those discoveries be?” Theodora asked dryly.
“That they are just as inquisitive as you, which, do not misunderstand me, I love that, but sometimes you have to let things be. Not everything needs a scientific explanation.” Maria quirked an eyebrow towards Theodora.
Theodora wrinkled her nose. As much as she wanted to argue, it was difficult when Maria looked at her with her gentle dove eyes. She tore her eyes away from her friend.
“Nonsense. Science can explain anything. Even love!” She exclaimed.
Three sets of eyes stared back at her in total confusion before the giggles washed over them.
“Come now, Theo, you cannot honestly believe that.” Anna, the Duchess of Wutherton, suggested.
Theodora bristled. “Of course I can.” She sat in a chair next to her sister, with the book firmly in her grasp.
Anna grimaced. Her dimples made her look attractive even then. “That is no way to live a life, Theo. Sometimes things just are. Like love. You just have to… believe.” She fluttered her dark eyes for dramatic effect and all the ladies laughed.
But Theodora rolled her eyes. Anna and Maria had met their dukes and fallen in love quite drastically. She feared that their heartbreaks may be great someday, but she did not wish that upon her friends who had become dear to her as sisters.
“Tell me, Anna, what exists that faith can explain but science cannot?” She didn’t give her friend a chance to answer. “The correct response is nothing. Science can explain everything, even emotions.”
Evelina sighed, pulling Theodora’s attention to her. If anyone understood her it would be her sister. She had suffered through a loveless marriage and then the loss of her husband.
Theodora raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you not agree with me, sister?”
Evelina sat up in her chair. Her light curls fell carelessly around her shoulders.
“It is not that I do not believe you, Theo. I grew up with you, remember? I can recall all the times you scared the ever-loving daylights out of poor old Mrs. Bellfry with your experiments proving the things you read in your books.”
Theodora smiled smugly. She knew her sister would always defend her.
“But…”
Theodora’s brows furrowed. Apparently, she could be wrong.
“I agree with Anna and Maria. I do believe there are some things that science cannot explain.”
Theodora swallowed her hurt and anger. “I am all for collecting information and engaging in debate. After all, no natural philosopher or biologist is worth their salt if they don’t gather information.
Can you think of something specific that science cannot explain?
” She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice but failed.
Evelina chewed her bottom lip which Theodora took as a victory.
Before she could gloat, Evelina held up her hand. “Now, hold on. I see you getting excited thinking you won this round, but I guarantee you there is something out there that science simply cannot explain.”
“Why grass is green!” Anna offered.
Theodora squinted at the Duchess of Wutherton. “It is a process called photosynthesis. You see—”
“No.” Maria interjected as she stood and stretched her long legs. “We will take your word for an explanation of that.”
Theodora shook her head and laughed. “I honestly believe with all of my beating heart that science is the answer to everything and if you all would just read this book by Galvani you would see that our attraction to others, from friendships to…” She paused hoping the blush she felt creeping onto her face wasn’t noticeable.
“…other types of relationships are all courtesy of vibrations within our bodies. We are all basically balls of energy bouncing around, vibrating off of each other. And with your husbands being decent men, the vibrations are sure to be reflected.”
The ladies exchanged a smug look.
“Sounds like the experience I had with my husband last night. My body was definitely vibrating energetically,” Anna murmured and winked at Theodora.
Maria and Evelina burst out in laughter at their friend’s off-colored remark.
Theodora tried to remain serious, but their laughter was infectious and she eventually joined in.
She took in the cacophony of sounds surrounding her.
The conversation aside, these ladies were the only ones who truly allowed her the space to talk freely about her love of all things scientific, and she felt at peace with them.
Theodora looked around and silently hoped that their time together would not end because she dreaded going home. Home had become the place that her father and his mistress tainted forever.
“Ladies, let us not lower ourselves to debauchery so early in the day,” Evelina teased.
Anna and Maria quieted their giggles.
“All I am saying, Theo,” Anna started, “is while you feel science is the answer to everything, I feel that the world is too big and too great to be held to the strict boundaries science requires. There are simply too many inconsistencies or even consequences out there.”
Maria nodded in agreement. “And it is just that…” Maria paused as she pursed her lips.
“I do not want to sound pretentious, and please forgive me if I do, but…” Her eyes drifted in between the sisters.
“It is just that you have not experienced love so how could you possibly make up your mind on what it is or is not?”
Anna sat up excitedly. “Yes! I agree with Maria. If you would have told me years ago that I would fall for a man like Damien, I would have laughed. But look at us! We are truly kindred spirits.”
“Look at Mother and Father, Theodora. Even they love each other in their own…unique way.” Evelina smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
All the warmth left Theodora’s body. She had not told Evelina about her…discovery. She had not even told their mother, and the guilt had been eating her up every day since the incident.
Perhaps, I should confess.
But her father’s warning rang clear in her ear, and she would only blame herself if her mother fell into melancholy. Theodora looked up and found Evelina searching her face curiously.
She swallowed and drummed her fingers over the book in her lap.
“There are no kindred spirits,” she stated plainly, the hurt from her father burning just below the surface.
“Harps can be tuned to the same pitch. Those same harps can play together in a glorious symphony, but after enough play one may lose the ability to keep in tune. You can always replace the harp with a newer one when the older one cannot keep up.”
The room quieted into an awkward silence.
“You seem a bit bitter, sister.” Evelina leaned over and placed her hand over Theodora’s. “What brings this up?”
Theodora’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about, Eve?”
“What brings this topic up?” Evelina amended. “You were never one to put much weight into feelings and emotions, so why all of a sudden have you taken an interest in examining love?”
Anna gasped. “Have you met someone?”
Theodora felt all the color drain from her cheeks. “What? No, I have not!”
Maria clapped. “I knew it! Is it that Benson boy? Oh, he is a handsome one!”
Theodora’s heart began to race and her palms became sweaty. This was getting out of hand. All three women began chattering away making up scenarios and plans that involved people she never even heard of before.
“Stop!” She yelled. “I have not met anyone, nor do I want to.”
The three women stilled at her outburst.
“I am sorry to disrupt your wedding plans but let me repeat myself for good measure. I have not met, nor do I intend to meet anyone,” she added pointedly in Anna’s direction. “There is no one who I would consider tying myself to for the foreseeable future.”
Theodora could see the air of excitement deflate from each of the women. Within a matter of seconds their shoulders sunk back into the chairs they occupied. Much to Theodora’s dismay, the silence only lasted so long.
“And you call yourself a woman of science,” Maria grumbled.
Theodora’s eyebrow rose at the insinuation. “What does that mean?”
Maria looked around to Evelina and Anna for support. She tilted her head in Theodora’s direction. “You are always one for experiments, correct?”
Theodora nodded.
“Well, scientist, I say you do the ultimate experiment. A love experiment if you will.” Maria grinned, challenging her.
“That is ridiculous.” Theodora shook her head.
“What are you afraid of, Theo?” Maria’s question was like a slap to her face.
“I am not afraid of anything!” she snapped back.
Anna and Evelina leaned in with rapt interest while Theodora’s eyes remained locked on Maria’s.
“I apologize, Theo. I did not mean to upset you. It is just that…we mentioned before that you have never experience love, not even lust, or…” Maria paused. “Heavens, I cannot remember you ever saying you have fancied a young man before.”