Chapter 35

Rolland finished his brief explanation of Theresia's role as Lady Glass, omitting any unessential details, like the vase and her history with the Roma. If she had really been a servant in Lady Caspar's home, he would not make Theresia's situation worse for her. "It was I who created her title and convinced her to join the house party. She has done nothing but aid us in our investigation."

Hoping for complete understanding was beyond his expectation, but neither had he been prepared to explain himself so soon. So, of course, everyone but Marcus had an opinion about his revelation. The duke stood silently beside him, his face unreadable, while the other voices competed to be heard over each other.

"If you have not solved this crime by now, I, for one, do not think she is needed here any longer," Lady Caspar argued.

"Of course she is needed!" his mother cried. "There is still a threat on my husband's life!"

Lady Caspar was unconvinced. "He is protected here. Will you risk your reputation and the duke's with this scandal under your very nose? Theresia Dvorak is a foreigner with a defiant attitude toward everything. Mark my word, she is trouble."

"My son would never take unnecessary risks," his father assured his mother, and Lord and Lady Caspar. "It is the duke's choice, but if Lady Glass is as asset to the investigation, I say let her remain."

"Mama!" Miss Shields protested, her pert nose wrinkling. "It has been years since—"

"Hush, Helena!" Lady Caspar harshly cut off her daughter. "You are to marry into this family soon, and we must avoid any prewedding catastrophes. Lord Caspar, I must insist you do something about this."

Rolland didn't hold his breath to hear Lord Caspar's answer. He wanted nothing more than to let them argue it out themselves so he might hurry to Theresia's side.

Surprisingly, Lord Caspar shrugged. "I am not happy about this, dear, but this is not our house party."

Marcus cleared his throat. "Since it is my house and my party, I must insist that Lady Glass be allowed to make her own decision. She is welcome to remain if she wishes."

Finally, a voice of reason. Rolland owed his friend.

"I will let your decision be known." Rolland bowed his head, partly in thanks and partly to excuse himself from the room. He was not five feet outside the library when his mother caught him by the arm. He hadn't noticed that she'd followed him out.

"Rolland, this can't be true."

He dearly wanted to rush to Theresia's side, but he reached inward for a bit more patience. "I am sorry, Mother, but we needed all the help we could get, and Lady Glass was in the right place at the right time." He had not thought that before, but he certainly couldn't unthink it now.

"I mean about the betrothal to Miss Shields. You don't even know her."

He sighed. Ever the romantic, his mother would be stuck on that part.

"Nothing has been finalized. Do not worry needlessly yet." He would need to speak to his father immediately, but his moral compass was spinning in circles. He couldn't let Theresia go, but neither could he so easily turn his back on his duty.

"And poor Lady Glass. I had such high hopes for her." She shook her head.

His own hope was wavering dangerously. He had to see Theresia before another moment passed. "Don't give up hope quite yet." He half expected Theresia to have disappeared, despite her promise to him. "Excuse me, Mother. I will see you at dinner."

Once upstairs and in front of Theresia's door, he knocked three times, then nervously tapped his hand against his leg. Why wasn't she opening the door already? He reached for the handle when the door swung open.

Lady Cadogen? Rolland blinked away his surprise. "Where is she?"

Lady Cadogen motioned behind her with her head and stepped aside for him to enter. She followed him in and shut the door behind her.

Theresia was on her knees, bent over the mysterious trunk that had arrived so conveniently the day Lady Glass had come into being. Her violin case was already inside, and she was placing a purple muslin gown beside it—the same one she'd worn that first night at Ashbury Court. She'd been breathtaking in it.

"What are you doing?" he blurted.

She avoided his gaze, but on closer inspection, he noticed the puffiness around her eyes.

She'd been crying, and it tore at him.

"I'm leaving. You know I must."

He crouched down beside her. "I don't know anything of the sort. I explained your purpose here to the others, and they've agreed not to say anything."

"Lady Caspar would never agree to call me Lady anything, even if someone's life does depend on it. If I don't leave, there will be more problems for everyone."

"Theresia..." He glanced sideways at Lady Cadogen, wishing for privacy but also knowing this conversation wouldn't be possible without her chaperoning. "Please, see reason. I don't know your connection to Lady Caspar, but this is not her house. If the duke wanted you to leave, he would tell you to."

"He's too nice for that," Theresia said.

"I second that," Lady Cadogen added.

Rolland glared at her before realizing her husband would probably kill him for less. He turned back to Theresia. "Where will you go?"

"I have a connection nearby. If I could borrow a carriage for a half hour's time to transport this trunk, I would be most obliged. I require nothing more."

He stood, folding his arms to keep from hitting his fist against the wall. If her connection was the Roma camp, where her safety and livelihood were at risk, there was no way he was letting her leave. "What is the name of your friend who is planning on taking you in?"

Rolland wouldn't need Marcus to see through her lie. He knew the Bedrichs were in London.

"An old friend who has offered his help before, but I have never taken him up on it. I have no doubt he will put me up for as long as required."

"I'm going to need more than that." A name. An address. But preferably a promise not to leave to begin with.

Theresia shook her head. "That is all I will tell you."

Stubborn woman. "Then, I'm going with you."

"Andalin has already agreed to be my companion on the drive."

Rolland shot another look at Lady Cadogen, fully expecting her to withdraw her offer.

"I am happy to do so," Andalin said, her words punctured with determination.

So they had schemed against him, had they? "Theresia, can I speak with you alone in the corridor?"

She stood and he dropped his arms, relieved.

"No, you may not."

He startled. "What?"

"You may not speak to me alone. This won't be any easier if we drag it out. Just let me go, Rolland. That was the plan all along."

"But what about... ?" He grasped for a reason to stall her, knowing he might not be enough. There was only one thing that could persuade her. He lowered his voice. "What about your vase?"

Theresia hugged herself. "There is nothing more I can do. It's about time I admit that it's gone forever."

The vase had been his last hope. Her last hope. His breathing came short and hard as the realization hit him. She was really going to leave. And she was bullheaded enough that nothing he said right now would convince her.

A knock sounded on the door, and Lady Cadogen invited in two footmen. They had Theresia's trunk in their hands only a moment later, and Theresia and Lady Cadogen followed it out.

Theresia had come into his life unexpectedly, and now she dared to leave it the same way. And, fool that he was, he was helpless to stop her.