Chapter 15

"Knock on the door already, Leslie," Theodore heard Harriet's voice filter through the heavy wood of his study door, her tone a mixture of impatience and determination.

"Why must it always be me who performs the knocking?" Leslie grumbled in response, his reluctance palpable even through the barrier separating them.

"Silence, lest he overhear and conjures up yet another reason to evade us," Harriet cautioned, her words laced with a hint of exasperation.

Theodore set aside the quill, his attention diverted from the ledgers that had consumed him for the better part of the day. Since the news of the scandal broke, he had submerged himself in work, a convenient excuse to avoid the inevitable interrogation from his sisters. He had little desire to navigate the barrage of questions and the subsequent need for explanations he was bound to face.

Yet, it seemed his attempts at evasion had merely postponed the inevitable. The reality that he could not forever dodge their inquisitive natures loomed large in his mind. He should have realized sooner that escape was a temporary solution at best.

He remained seated, observing the door with a resigned anticipation. The muffled sounds of their debate barely reached him, but the expected knock eventually came, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.

Choosing not to acknowledge the knock verbally, Theodore rose from his chair, a silent concession to the unavoidable. He crossed the room and pulled open the door, bracing himself for the flood of inquiries and concern that awaited him on the other side.

Leslie, pink-faced and somewhat sheepish under Theodore's gaze, let out a small gasp of surprise. Beside him, Harriet's expression was harder to decipher.

"Were you by chance anticipating our visit, Brother?" Leslie asked.

"With the commotion you both managed to create prior to your knocking, it would have been rather challenging not to," Theodore responded with a light chuckle, attempting to diffuse the tension that lingered at the doorstep of his study.

"You've neglected breakfast again, Theodore," Harriet announced more than asked, brushing past him into the sanctuary of his study as if to mark her disapproval with her presence alone.

Leslie trailed behind her, closing the door with a soft click before joining the impromptu family gathering. "It seems an age since we last broke bread together, brother," Harriet lamented, her tone a blend of complaint and concern. "Or even glimpsed your shadow in the corridor," she added, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she adopted a stance that belied her years, casting a maternal gaze upon Theodore.

Theodore couldn't help but smile, though it did little to soften Harriet's stern demeanor.

"Oh, come now, Harriet, surely it hasn't been quite so long," he attempted to assure her, seeking to lighten the mood.

"My hair has grown by a good seven inches since last you dined with us, brother," Harriet countered, her exaggeration aimed at underscoring the seriousness of her complaint.

"Now, you're clearly embellishing the truth," Theodore retorted, unable to suppress a grin as Leslie's laughter bubbled up, a welcome sound amidst the somber undertones of their conversation.

"We understand you've been keeping to yourself because of the whispers," Harriet pressed. "What truly transpires, Theodore?" Her query had more concern than impatience, a genuine plea for transparency.

"The gossip columns suggest–" Leslie attempted to interject, but Theodore cut him off swiftly, his tone firm yet gentle.

"Give no credence to the scandal sheets, Leslie dear. They are but a hotbed of fabrications and folly."

"Then what is transpiring?" Harriet's hands gestured expressively, her frustration evident. "The entirety of Town whispers of scandal, leaving us to sift through rumors for the semblance of truth. It feels as though the world is privy to a secret from which only we are excluded," she lamented.

Theodore couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt wash over him at her words. He realized he had done them a disservice by not confiding in them sooner. They deserved to hear the truth directly from him.

Yet, the weight of the situation had been overwhelming, necessitating a period of solitude for him to grapple with the rapid changes his life was undergoing.

"The reality of the matter," Theodore began, drawing a deep breath before continuing, "is that I am to wed Miss Agnes Young."

The transformation in Harriet was immediate, her earlier frustration swiftly giving way to an almost unbridled enthusiasm. "A new sister!" Leslie exclaimed, her delight uncontained.

"When is the ceremony to be held? Have the arrangements commenced? Will the event take place here or perhaps in the countryside?" Harriet's inquiries came rapid-fire, her eagerness palpable.

Theodore couldn't recall a time when his sisters had displayed such fervor, and despite the circumstances, it warmed his heart to see them so elated.

"One matter at a time, my dears," he attempted to interject, his words aimed at tempering their zeal. "There remains much to be organized."

"Which only underscores the need to begin posthaste," Harriet countered, already lost in thoughts of the forthcoming celebration. "What attire do you suppose Miss Young will select?" Her curiosity swiftly shifted to their own preparations. "Leslie, what gowns shall we don?" she mused, turning to her sister as they delved into a spirited discussion of potential dresses, colors, and fabrics.

Theodore's revelation, far from calming the storm of their excitement, had only served to fuel it further, sending his sisters into a whirlwind of wedding-related speculation and planning.

After his sisters' exit, Theodore decided to pen a note to Agnes, asking her for her time tomorrow afternoon. And curiously, he found himself anticipating this meeting.

The ensuing afternoon found Theodore escorting Agnes to a locale that held a special place in his heart: his favored bookstore nestled within the heart of Town. Their public appearances together were strategic, aiming to sway the unfavorable views society held regarding their impending union.

"Why, I was wholly unaware such a treasure was tucked away in Town," Agnes remarked, her voice laced with wonder as her eyes danced over the eclectic collection that filled the cozy shop to the brim.

Theodore felt a surge of satisfaction knowing she appreciated the bookstore as much as he did. After all, it was a sanctuary for him, a place where the tumult of the outside world seemed to fade into the background.

"I pride myself on recognizing true gems," he responded, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

"Engaging in a bit of self-congratulation, are we?" Agnes quipped, her laughter soft and melodic as she continued to peruse the titles that lined the shelves.

However, when she faced him once more, the light-heartedness had ebbed from her expression, replaced by a seriousness that piqued Theodore's concern. "You spoke previously of implementing certain changes... Do you genuinely believe they will be effective?" she inquired, sounding worried.

Her concern, though unexpected, was not unwarranted. The path they had chosen to undertake was fraught with uncertainty, a gamble of sorts in the high stakes game of societal perception.

"If our efforts fail to yield the desired outcome, we have our original agreement to rely upon," Theodore offered by way of reassurance.

"Does that pact still stand?" The surprise in her eyes was unmistakable, as if she had braced herself for a different answer.

"Indeed, it does," he affirmed. "You have secured a partner for marriage. What remains now is the fulfillment of our three engagements, culminating in the completion of my transaction with the Earl," he explained, laying bare the terms of their arrangement.

She became contemplative for a moment before responding, "I had wondered, given the unforeseen direction our circumstances have taken... But it seems equitable to proceed as planned."

Their consensus was to continue with the previously established agenda: three more social appearances to fulfill, followed by Theodore's critical business negotiation with Asmont. "Subsequent to that, we shall have no further obligations toward one another and may pursue our individual lives without interference," he stated, offering reassurance.

The notion seemed straightforward enough in his mind. Their marriage was a practical arrangement, devoid of the complexities of romantic entanglement. He had no desire for progeny, nor did he plan to change that stance.

Agnes's nod, albeit somewhat tentative, signified her concurrence, a silent affirmation that they were aligned in their understanding.

"So, would our nuptials be counted among the three remaining engagements?" she inquired, a hint of apprehension in her laughter.

"Indeed, it ought to," Theo replied, his own laughter mingling with hers, though he couldn't shake off a lingering sense of disquiet.

The reality of his situation was inescapable; he was on a path he had sworn never to tread. The specter of becoming like his predecessor loomed ominously, a possibility he hurriedly dismissed from his thoughts.

Time seemed to elapse with deceptive swiftness in Agnes's presence, their engagement in the bookstore offering a brief respite from the weight of their predicament. He expressed a wish to introduce her to his sisters soon, a suggestion that was met with enthusiasm on her part.

"Oh, I am certain the Duchess would be delighted to host us all for dinner," Agnes proposed, marking an opportune moment for familial introductions.

As they awaited the packaging of their selections, the Earl of Asmont's unexpected entry into the bookstore presented a stark reminder of the broader societal implications of their situation.

"Lord Asmont," Theodore greeted him, stepping forward.

However, the Earl's response—or rather, the lack thereof—was a stark rebuke, a clear indication that Theodore's standing in society had suffered far greater damage than he had feared. A bitter sensation crept up his throat as he confronted the reality that the challenges ahead were more daunting than he had allowed himself to believe.

Such treatment from the Earl was entirely unexpected. Society's capacity for coldness was indeed boundless. The moment Theodore's eyes met Agnes's again, he hoped she read in them not just the apology for the slight they had both endured, but also the profound regret for the unwelcome drama she had been swept into because of her association with him.

The pitying look from the bookstore keeper only added salt to his wounds. Theodore had never aspired to become an object of sympathy; yet, as he escorted Agnes back to her residence and subsequently made his way to his own home, he couldn't shake off a creeping sense of defeat.

Settling into his chair in his study, he pulled out a sheet of his finest stationery and a bottle of ink, determined to address the incident with the Earl directly. The blank paper stared back at him. Yet, he dipped his pen into the ink and began to write, the words flowing slowly at first, then gaining momentum as his thoughts became more defined:

Lord Asmont,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I am writing to address a matter that occurred earlier today at Marvin's Bookstore, where I fear there may have been a misunderstanding between us. I perceived that you did not acknowledge my greeting, and I wish to clarify if this was indeed the case, and if so, the reason behind it.

I understand that recent events involving Miss Young and myself have been the subject of much speculation and gossip within society. I wish to assure you that our intentions are honorable, and we are taking steps to address the situation in a manner befitting our stations.

Furthermore, I hope to dispel any concerns you may have regarding our business dealings. You may inspect the ship models at your convenience as we earlier planned. My commitment to our agreement remains steadfast, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further, perhaps over tea or at a venue of your choosing.

I eagerly await your response and hope we can resolve any issues amicably and continue our association as esteemed colleagues.

With the highest regards,

Marquess of Gillingham

Theodore read over the letter once, then twice before folding and sealing it. He could not allow this opportunity to slip away from him.