Chapter 16 #2
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Harriet frown, though Percival simply arched an eyebrow at him.
“I was heading back to London for the end of the season. My carriage snapped an axel on the King’s road about three miles East from here.
Your estate is the closest place to it, and I thought it sensible to come to you for aid. ”
“Was anyone hurt?” Harriet asked.
“No. We were not moving at great speed.”
“That is fortunate.” Theodore beckoned one of the footmen forward as he gestured for Percival and Harriet to sit down.
“Have someone go out to the Duke of Wright’s carriage and repair it.
You will need to bring it here when you are done, so have stablehands bring fresh horses as well, we shall tend to the Duke’s while repairs are underway. ”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a servant enter the room with a tray laden with coffee and breakfast food. “The Duke will no doubt have fresh clothes in the carriage and his valet. Bring them both here and have Mr. Grimsby prepare a suite for His Grace to change and bathe.”
“At once Your Grace.” The footman bowed and darted into one of the hidden doors that would take him into the servant’s passage.
The sound of laughter filled the room as Theodore turned to face Harriet and Percival.
Her laugh was rich and alluring. The sound of it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
He felt a tingling sensation across his face and the backs of his hand, as though gooseflesh was spreading across them. How do I make this last?
The thought caught him off guard and he would have pondered it longer had he not heard Percival’s laughter mingling with Harriet’s. No doubt some sort of shared joke. He clenched his jaw as he saw how relaxed Harriet seemed with Percival.
For some reason, the sight of it made Theodore want to reach across the table and throw Percival bodily from the estate. Blood thundered in his ears and it was with an effort that he moved to the seat before him.
He sat down with rather more force than he had intended, and the sound drew the attention of Percival and Harriet towards him. He knew he should say something, but everything he could think of sounded petulant.
The laughter ebbed away, though Harriet’s cheeks were still rosy. Her smile faltered as she looked at him. He felt a pang in his chest. I always manage to do this. “You should be able to change soon. I have asked them to fetch your things and prepare a room.”
“That will be a relief.” Percival buttered a slice of toast and tugged the blanket around his shoulders. “I promise I will not impose upon you too long. As soon as the carriage is fixed, I shall be on my way.”
Good. Theodore kept the thought to himself. It would not be proper to be so ungracious.
“Have you any plans while you are in London?” Harriet asked after several moments filled with only delicately clinking cutlery.
“A few trips to the theatre perhaps, and of course the usual slew of balls.” Percival gave Theodore a sidelong look. “You know, now that you have a duchess, you should really make an appearance at one or two of them.”
Theodore arched an eyebrow but said nothing.
“You cannot hide from the ton forever, and you do not even have the excuse of having to hide from every eligible woman and her mother anymore.” Percival bit into his toast.
“I am not hiding from anyone.” Theodore drummed his fingers against the mahogany table.
“And yet you have not been to a social event in years. You did not even have a wedding ball.” Percival leaned back in his chair as he downed the rest of his coffee.
“I have other responsibilities.” Theodore gestured to the hall outside. “Ones that I take seriously.”
“One could argue that such things are a part of your responsibilities. Balls are not only for socializing.” Percival pointed out. “Besides, you have scarcely gone to so much as a garden party in years, even before you inherited. And certainly, well before Phoebe came to you.”
“Because I did not see the point. I still do not. Most people go to such things to find a wife, I already have one.” I never planned on marrying. Theodore massaged the back of his neck, forcing himself not to look at Harriet.
Percival opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Harriet’s tentative voice broke through.
Though it was laced with caution, it commanded the attention of the room.
“Perhaps we should consider it. I have been meaning to get to London anyway, the ball gown I ordered for my bridal wardrobe will be ready by now.”
“I thought you did not enjoy balls and such?” Theodore tilted his head towards her, eyes searching her face as he tried to read what she was thinking.
He expected a flash of anger to steal across her face, but it did not. Instead, he was met with a thoughtful expression. “I have struggled in the past, it is true, but I do not want to be another reason for you not to go to such things.”
Her words curled around him, and he felt a warmth settle across his shoulders like a cat curling by a fire. He heard what she did not say, he could see it in her eyes. I am not an excuse. She leaned towards him, her fingers nearly touching his across the table. His heart froze.
“What do you want?” he asked, his voice low, barely more than a whisper.
“I want to go.” Her eyes were full of a fierce determination.
It was like he was back in the garden and she was asking him for just one hour a day. Such a simple request. A million excuses came to his mind, but before he could utter any of them, Harriet continued.
“We do not have to be gone long, we can be selective. That will no doubt help us make the most of our appearance.” Her tone was businesslike now.
“You and I both know of the rumors about you, and you know what that will mean for Phoebe. If we start to be seen more, if we make connections, we pave a better future for us all.”
“What do you suggest?” Theodore tried to cling to his last shred of hesitation but he felt it slipping from him like sand through his fingers. “And what about Phoebe?”
“We will not be gone long, and it will give her a chance to get used to the idea that we will always come back to her.” “Catherine is having a ball, it will be a good place for us to re-enter society and it will be shorter than most. Catherin is about to start her lying-in period after all.”
“You seem to have thought of everything.” He let out a long, slow breath.
“What do you think?” Harriet’s voice was soft; it would be so easy for him to take her fingers in his hand, and the temptation chilled him.
“It is time for my duchess to take her place.” He ignored the tightness across his chest.
He turned away from Harriet as the hope and excitement overtook her face, curling his fingers back towards him. His eyes found Percival watching them, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Changes indeed,” he muttered.