Chapter 7 #3
Genevieve scrambled out of bed at her mother’s reply and crossed the cold floor against her bare feet to refresh her washcloth that had lost its cold temperature. Behind her, Rhea Rockwood made a soft sound.
“Well, regardless of what the two of you argued about last night, he was here bright and early inquiring about you.” Rhea’s statement made Genevieve spin around to stare at her mother wide-eyed with astonishment for a second time.
“He what?”
“From your surprise, it’s obvious you heard me correctly, Genevieve Rockwood,” her mother said with amused disgust. “Your father and I think Theo’s smitten, and we’re not the only ones to think that either.
Your Aunt Louisa and Aunt Constance are convinced he’s taken with you.
Even your Uncle Sebastian has mused his suspicions as well. ”
“Well, it doesn’t matter whether Theo is or isn’t interested in me. I’m not besotted or interested in him the least little bit. And I would appreciate it if the family would stop speculating about us.”
Genevieve bristled, frowning with aggravation before a sudden rush of fear made her heart clench with trepidation.
If Theo knew the family—Genevieve halted the thought.
It didn’t matter. She couldn’t marry him, even if she wanted to, which she did not.
As she met her mother’s gaze, she saw the twinkle in her mother’s eyes, and Genevieve’s mouth tightened.
“I do not see what you find so amusing.”
“I’m not laughing at you, dearest, and I’ll tell everyone to avoid mentioning Theo when you’re present.
However, you know how fond the Rockwoods are of meddling in matters of the heart,” her mother said with the distinct sound of laughter in her voice, while her mouth twitched as she was obviously struggling to keep a straight face.
“I’m well aware of the family’s meddlesome nature, and I will not take kindly to any meddling on their part,” Genevieve said in a terse manner.
“As I said, I’ll express your wishes to the family.” Rhea Rockwood studied her for a moment as her expression became thoughtful. “But perhaps you should consider why you’re so prickly at the mere mention of Theo. Is it possible your feelings for Theo are stronger than you care to admit?”
Stunned by the question, Genevieve stared at her mother in horror.
In her head, a gleeful chorus crowed and cheered the answer to her mother’s question.
No, it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t have feelings for Theo.
It would mean her physical attraction for him was rooted in something other than carnal desire.
Impossible, she knew better than to allow herself to feel anything for Theo. Despite what her father had said, she was far from worthy of being his wife, or any man’s for that matter. Falling in love with Theo was something she would never allow herself to do.
In the back of her mind, she heard mocking laughter as a voice inside her head called her a liar.
She didn’t dare consider what her inner conscience meant by suggesting she was deceiving herself.
Once more the mocking laughter echoed in the back of her head.
Panic swept through her. She was in far greater danger of succumbing to Theo than she’d realized.
Eyebrows arched, Rhea Rockwood eyed her with an astute understanding that made Genevieve realize her mother knew her better than she realized. Closing the distance between them, Genevieve’s mother kissed her cheek gently, then stepped back to eye her with a sympathetic look.
“I’ll send up some tea for you.” With that, her mother left Genevieve standing in the middle of her room, struggling to deny that her mother might be right.
It took her more than a minute to collect her wits, and she began to pace the floor.
Her mother’s words still ringing in her head, she ignored the voices in her head chastising her for thinking it was preposterous that she had feelings for Theo.
Although she ached to be in his arms again, desire wasn’t love.
It was absurd to think she was in love with the man.
In the far recesses of her mind, jeering laughter wove its way into her consciousness.
Genevieve slammed the door on the mocking sound.
She couldn’t be in love with Theo, could she?
She released a noise of self-disgust. Of course not.
Even if she were, nothing would come of it.
Marriage was out of the question. Eventually, Theo would have to accept defeat.
He needed an heir, and she couldn’t give him that. Ruckley had seen to that.
Another mocking laugh pushed its way into her mind, and she came to a halt in front of her bed, then sank down onto the mattress.
Tears formed in her eyes as the same vulnerability and helplessness she’d experienced last night rolled over her like a hard wave, threatening to drag her down into a watery grave.
Be a phoenix. Sharp and abrupt, Peter’s voice filled the room as if her brother were standing right next to her.
Startled, she looked in first one direction and then another, half expecting to see Peter with a stern expression on his face.
When there was no sign of her brother’s tall figure, Genevieve closed her eyes and shook her head as tears threatened to streak down her cheeks.
No, she refused to act like one of the vacuous women she’d seen clinging to Theo’s arm.
She was stronger than that. Much stronger.
With a vicious swipe of her hand, Genevieve brushed aside her tears.
She would be a phoenix. She would rise up out of her grief just as the mythical bird had from the flames.