Chapter 26

Theresia's immediate response upon seeing Lord and Lady Barrack was to flee backward and put as much distance as possible between her and Rolland. Rolland was thinking far more rationally, and his sudden clasp on her elbows kept her from catapulting back into the brambles. Once she was steady, he promptly released her. His posture went straight and rigid, as if his father were a great admiral calling Rolland to attention.

"What is going on here?" Rolland's father guided his wife through grass and a carpet of ivy between the trees and stopped when they reached the path just ahead of them.

Theresia's hand went to her destroyed coiffure, and she knew exactly what his parents imagined had happened. Flames erupted on the balls of her cheeks. She'd been in plenty of compromising situations since coming to Westmorland, but this, in all its innocence, seemed the most condemning.

"He . . . I was just . . . then he . . ." Could she not speak a single coherent word?

"Lady Glass caught her hair on the bush. As you can see, it did its damage."

Lord Barrack groaned. "You are fortunate we stumbled upon you and not someone else. Dear, see if you can help Lady Glass attend to her hair. Son, you had better hurry back to the picnic."

"Yes, Father." Rolland turned to Theresia. "Will you be all right?"

"Of course she will be," his mother said. "I have learned a few tricks in my many years in the world. I am perfectly capable of fixing problematic hair."

Rolland continued to stare at Theresia, waiting for her to answer.

She didn't want him to leave her alone with his parents, but what argument did she have? Regardless, it would be better for him if he pleased his parents. "I am in good hands."

She hoped.

He dipped his head and excused himself, his father opting to join him.

She watched them go before forcing a smile for Lady Barrack. She fussed with Theresia's hair for several minutes before declaring it perfect.

"Thank you, Lady Barrack."

In one smooth motion, Lady Barrack captured Theresia's arm in her own and directed her back the way the others had gone. "Now, what sort of magic have you cast upon my son, Lady Glass? I must know."

"It really was a twig," she blurted, falling into step with the woman.

"I believe you, dear." But her words were followed with an exaggerated wink. "I don't care what it was, really. I'm simply so pleased to see Rolland coming alive again. I've so rarely seen his smile these many years, but I've caught several when he's with you. And the way his eyes follow you about." Her free hand went to her chest. "It fills my heart to see it."

Did Lady Barrack really see all this in Rolland? Theresia's own chest warmed at the thought, though she knew perfectly well that a few butterflies did not mean a hopeful future for her and Rolland. Instead of rationalizing her question away, she felt compelled to ask, "He wasn't always so serious?"

Lady Barrack shook her head. "He was never one to seek attention, although he commands it naturally, but he's grown increasingly private since joining the war. I've missed his smile more than anything, which is why I am so pleased he has you now."

So Lady Barrack was either not aware of the arranged marriage or not supportive of it. Since it was of a political nature and Rolland had been careful not to speak of it, Theresia assumed the prior. "I cannot take any credit for Captain Reese's happiness. Perhaps he is merely glad to be home again and among family and friends."

"You don't have to confide in me if you don't want to," Lady Barrack said. "From the beginning, I appreciated how different you were from the other young ladies."

Different was a word Theresia knew too well.

"Perhaps it is because you were married before and are more mature from your experiences, but you don't have the same obvious machinations. You don't fawn over Rolland but let him lead at his pace. I have very much enjoyed watching this unfold."

Theresia was divided between feeling flattered and letting ideas feed her imagination and feeling ill for deceiving such a genuinely caring mother. How many lies could she perpetuate without her moral compass breaking? "Lady Barrack, your son is a good man. Probably the best I've ever met."

"He's wonderful; I know." Lady Barrack beamed, making this so much harder.

"But he deserves someone better than me," she finished.

"Nonsense. Do you think I was the perfect bride? My father was of the landed gentry, but with four older sisters, my dowry was not sizable enough to entice any man."

Why was she telling Theresia this? The personal stories would only make it harder to keep her own attachment at bay. It wouldn't be long before Lady Barrack realized the difference between the other ladies and Theresia wasn't simply a gap in personality but a chasm in situation that made a future with Rolland impossible.

"I wish I could put you at ease, Lady Barrack, but I cannot let you think—"

"I won't hear another word! You simply need time to see how smitten Rolland is. Oh, he'll be slow about it, but he'll be devoted to his choice. You can count on that."

Theresia bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. More and more, she was realizing that Rolland was the kind of man she wanted to spend a lifetime with, but that didn't change their circumstances. This whole conversation was torture at its best. She was about to blurt out the whole tale and beg through tears for Lady Barrack's understanding.

"Dear me, I haven't scared you away, have I? You look rather pale."

"I'm well enough," she mumbled.

"Is it Lord Barrack you are worried about? He huffs and puffs his fair share, but he'll come around to the idea of you and Rolland."

Theresia latched on to that idea. "I am not certain that is so." This would be the perfect time to bring up the arranged marriage.

"It's not like you are a criminal or a Roma."

Theresia nearly choked on the sudden stale air. She knew the general attitude of the upper-class English, but it hurt coming so casually from Lady Barrack.

Lady Barrack was unaware of anything wrong and kept on talking. "You have everything to recommend yourself, so whatever political aspirations my husband is scheming will have to be put to rest. I haven't disagreed with him in probably a decade, but this time I will put my foot down."

Would Lady Barrack be so ready to champion Theresia's secret feelings for her son if she knew the whole truth? It was better not to find out. Theresia had to control her feelings in Rolland's presence. No more fingers brushing, no more wishing for him to seek her out, and no more getting her hair tangled and forcing the space between them to disappear. She needed to find her vase and leave fate to give Rolland the heroic ending he had planned for.