Chapter 16

CHAPTER

a

16

T heo sat in the front parlor and, considering how much anger was bubbling just below the surface, she was amazingly calm. The only chink in her armor was the fact that her latest letter to Charlotte had been sent back as undeliverable.

It had simply been another failed attempt to mend their rift, caused by Theo's ridiculous engagement to Arthur, but Charlotte was shrewd in a way Theo wasn't and she was always correct. When she'd railed about Arthur, why hadn't Theo listened?

She was alarmed over the letter being returned, but she didn't have time to rush off and locate her sister. Where might she be? There were many unnerving possibilities, but at the moment, Theo couldn't dwell on them. She had bigger fish to fry.

She was waiting for Georgina who was at the monthly meeting of the Matron's Brigade. Her stepmother had bragged that she would tender a proposal for the group to protest the comedic play she and Theo had attended the prior evening. Theo felt so detached from it, and from her participation in the Brigade, that she couldn't deduce how she'd ever joined in their cruel mischief.

Georgina was the prime hypocrite in the kingdom. Her social life revolved around the Brigade's harassment of women, yet during the entire interval, she'd protected Arthur so his own trollop wouldn't be bothered. It made Theo long to reach out and punch something.

Finally, the door opened and closed, and she remained in her seat as a footman greeted Georgina, as she shed her shawl and bonnet. Theo had positioned the boy to watch for her stepmother, with the specific instruction to bring her to Theo the instant she arrived. Georgina received the message, but it soured her mood, and she stomped into the room in a snit.

"I've been out for hours," Georgina said, "and I need to tidy myself. What is so important that it's caused you to forget your manners?"

"Sit down, Georgina."

It was definitely a command, and normally, Georgina would have refused, but Theo's expression was so lethal that she obeyed. She wasn't happy about it, but she didn't argue.

"Fine, I'll oblige you," Georgina said as she huffed over and plopped down. "It's obvious you have a dire topic to discuss. What is it?"

"What happened to Father's Will?"

Panic flashed across Georgina's face, but she swiftly masked it. "What a peculiar question. I've repeatedly explained that Harold didn't have a Will. Or if he did have one, we couldn't find it after he died."

"Yes, that vital document managed to vanish, and a single-page memorandum magically appeared instead, where it was claimed that Father wanted Arthur to have the company. Isn't that what you told me?"

"It's the truth. Why are you suddenly so dubious?"

"I have met with Attorney Coswell."

Georgina feigned confusion. "Should I know who that is?"

"You can't pretend, Georgina. Not anymore."

Georgina scoffed. "I have no idea what's driving you this afternoon, but I won't be badgered. I'm going up to wash. When you've calmed down and are ready to have a sensible conversation, we can talk then."

She stood and Theo actually shouted at her. "Sit down! And don't move until I've dismissed you."

Theo's outburst was so unusual that Georgina sank down onto her chair, then she said, "You have some gall to raise your voice to me. I am your mother and I won't be disrespected by you."

"You're not my mother," Theo raged. "My mother is locked in a convent in Scotland. She's been trapped there—by my father, you, and your son. Were you aware that Arthur has stopped paying her fees? She's about to be released."

The news was such a shock to Georgina that she couldn't swallow down her reaction. "You must be joking. She's not supposed to ever be set free."

"How do you know that, Georgina? The terms are stated in Father's Will, which you insist doesn't exist."

Georgina started sputtering, fidgeting, and she was keen to devise the appropriate responses. Clearly, she hadn't ever expected Theo to learn any of the details or, if Theo had learned them, she'd have been married to Arthur and would have had no recourse to complain about their being thieves.

Georgina was a tough nut and she quickly regrouped with a display of innocence. "Your mother perished years ago, Theo, and it pains me to have you assume she's still alive. Are you feeling overly weary? Perhaps you should head upstairs and take a nap."

Theo glowered with such venom that Georgina shrank back in her seat.

"I have hired a lawyer," Theo said, "and it's your nemesis, Mr. Coswell. This very minute, he's working to yank your greedy fingers out of my company and my life. I will give you until tomorrow morning to get out of my home, so you'd best begin packing."

Theo was so irate that she could barely keep from marching over and throttling Georgina. She had to escape the shrew's vile presence, and she jumped up to storm out, but Georgina jumped up too and blocked her exit.

Georgina was a very large woman, and she was so much bigger than Theo that, if they'd brawled, Georgina would have easily won. Theo wouldn't wrestle with her like a pair of fishwives, and it occurred to her that she needed to flee the house—and stay away—until Mr. Coswell furnished her with the necessary legal right to ensure Georgina's departure.

She'd boasted to Mr. Coswell that she wasn't afraid of Georgina, but maybe she ought to be.

"You can't force me to leave," Georgina said.

"Even as we speak, the papers are being drawn up for your eviction."

"You'll never pull it off."

"Won't I? Just watch me."

"I'll hire a lawyer myself!" Georgina seethed. "I'll go to court and declare that you're having mental problems. I'll have you locked away forever like your deranged mother. In light of her history, there's no judge in the land who would decline to commit you to an insane asylum."

To have Georgina posturing and menacing, to have her denigrating Theo's mother, was too much to bear.

"You stole from us!" Theo charged. "You deceived us. You spent our dowries and your lazy, spoiled son is destroying our future."

Georgina abandoned any pretense. "Why wouldn't I have assumed control of your affairs? Your father didn't bequeath what Arthur and I deserved to have. He gave us both a paltry cash settlement that hardly lasted a month. How were we to thrive after that? Tell me that if you can!"

"He wasn't generous because he couldn't abide you. You made him miserable and he wasn't about to reward you for it."

"I was a good wife to him," Georgina ludicrously contended.

"Were you? Is that why he doted on Emma Coswell for a whole decade? I know about her, Georgina, so you'll never convince me that he was devoted to you."

At the mention of Emma Coswell, Georgina shrieked, "Liar! Liar! He had no mistress and I won't permit you to disparage our happy marriage."

Their volume was rising and the servants had gathered over by the door to eavesdrop. They were anxiously glancing at each other, wondering if they should intervene or sneak away.

"Miss Coswell was to have received a monetary gift," Theo said, "but you never delivered it. You figured you could hide your larceny, and you've been successful, but your days of pilfering from me and my sister are over."

"We'll see about that," Georgina sneered, and like an obnoxious child, she added, "You think you're so smart."

"No, I don't. Not really. In fact, where you and Arthur are concerned, I've been stupid and blind. But the blinders are off and we'll carry on differently now."

"After everything I've done for you," Georgina said, "after I fed and clothed you, after I kept a roof over your head, you have some nerve to vilify me."

"You kept a roof over my head? Then why am I not residing at Peachtree? Arthur gambled it away! He claimed he had to sell it to be closer to the city, but he lost it in a wager. You were complicit in allowing it to occur. And how about his dear concubine, Nell Parsons? She advises me that you were aware of his fixation on her from the moment it commenced."

Georgina bristled. "You spoke to that little tart?"

"Yes, and she had many curious tidbits to share. I was particularly intrigued by how Arthur has supported her in such grand style—with my money. How dare you condone his negligent behavior. How dare you conceal and encourage his mischief!"

"Arthur is worth ten of you and your foolish sister," Georgina said. "He is an important gentleman and he has every right to revel according to his station."

"He has no station. He's a poverty-stricken, selfish boy whose lofty acquaintances loathe him and whose recklessness has imperiled us."

Suddenly, the energy for the fight drained out of her and she was overcome by the deepest wave of despair. Once Mr. Coswell seized the assets for her, what would be left?

Georgina's expression was very smug, as if she held all the cards, as if Theo would never be able to thwart her. Well, that might have been true in the past, but in the prior few hours, Theo might have aged a hundred years. She was no longer the gullible girl she'd been when she'd climbed out of bed that morning.

Georgina had glommed onto Theo's rich, purportedly-widowed father and she'd wedged herself into their lives with devastating effect. Theo's greatest attribute, but also her most detrimental one, was her yearning to be liked, to never rock any boats. From the minute Georgina had arrived, Theo had cowered and capitulated to her ridiculous schemes and demands.

Now look where they were! How would Theo untangle the mess Georgina had stirred? No matter how competent Mr. Coswell proved himself to be, Theo suspected she'd never be completely rid of her stepmother and stepbrother. They would haunt her forever and the realization was too distressing to contemplate.

She shoved by Georgina to exit the room, but Georgina grabbed her arm firmly enough to bruise. They were eye to eye, standing side by side, and Theo recoiled at being touched by the dreadful harpy.

"Let go of me!" Theo fumed.

"You should heed me, Theodora. You are skating on very thin ice and you had better be careful who you threaten. If you presume you can win against me, you are very much mistaken. Tread cautiously."

"Witch!" Theo muttered and she yanked away.

v

Jackson stomped across the courtyard that separated his house from Theo's. Ever since he'd returned from his pathetic jaunt to the country, he'd been expecting to receive a note from her, but he hadn't. He'd often gazed out the window, hoping to see her trotting off on an errand, but she'd never appeared. Whenever he'd ridden in his carriage, he'd scanned the streets, hunting for her, but she'd vanished.

Eventually, he'd had to admit that she was hiding and had no interest in continuing their futile amour. At first, he'd convinced himself to be glad about it. After all, his life was fine and he didn't need the headache of an illicit dalliance. It could never have ended well.

Hers was a world of marriage, family, and children. It was a world of holiday dinners and church on Sunday. With Cedric as his parent, that sort of normal existence had never been available, so he hadn't ever missed it and didn't want it.

While in the country, he'd developed the wildest idea that he and Theo could pursue their liaison in London. It had been a deranged notion that would have been impossible to implement, so Theo was wiser than he was. They simply couldn't engage in the relationship he'd been anxious to have with her.

He'd spent weeks, learning to accept that reality, but he couldn't shed his desire to be with her again. She was like a gnat buzzing in his brain and her proximity had been driving him a bit mad.

Finally, once he couldn't bear the situation another second, he'd marched over to check on her. To his surprise, the door was ajar, as if a servant had dashed out and it hadn't latched.

He'd peeked in to discover that the staff was huddled in the foyer and peering into the front parlor. They were frowning, whispering nervously, then Theo furiously said, "Let go of me."

He was so startled that he stormed in, pushed through the crowd, and entered the room as if it belonged to him. Theo was there, her stepmother clutching her arm, and it was clear he'd interrupted a vicious quarrel.

Theo spat, "Witch!"

He assessed the awful scene, then, in the tone he'd used on recalcitrant soldiers, he said, "I heard shouting. What's happening? Who would like to explain?"

Theo yanked away so swiftly that she was off-balance. She staggered and caught herself on the sofa. Mrs. Cronenworth was quicker to regroup and she smoothed her expression and pretended there was no fight in progress.

"Lord Thornhill!" the old bat cheerily said. "This is a pleasure. What brings you by?"

He ignored her and went directly over to Theo. She was rubbing her arm and bruises were already popping up. The sight of them was so enraging that he could barely contain his temper.

"Are you all right?" he asked her.

"No. Would you take me out of here? If I stay one more minute, I can't predict how I might injure her."

"Yes, we needn't tarry."

He tucked her to his side, and he shifted their bodies, shielding her from Mrs. Cronenworth's caustic glower. As they hastened out, the annoying shrew called, "Theodora! I don't give you permission to traipse off with him."

Jackson responded. "Theo is an adult. She doesn't require your permission to do anything."

"Can we hurry?" Theo pleaded.

She was trembling, and she felt lighter than air, as if her bones had melted. If he released her, she might collapse to the floor. My goodness! What could have transpired?

In the weeks where he'd paced and contemplated her, he'd pictured her home life as quiet and boring. He'd presumed the Cronenworth troubles were resting on Arthur's shoulders, but evidently, he'd been wrong about that.

He guided her out of the parlor and through the foyer, the servants parting so they could pass. The butler mustered the fortitude to say, "If I can help in any way, Miss Theo, send me a note."

Theo didn't reply and they rushed out and across the street. In an instant, they were in his house rather than hers. He hustled her up to his bedchamber and he didn't stop to wonder if he should or not. She was in no condition to protest his choice, and he simply hauled her in, then shut and locked the door.

He didn't have a fancy master suite, like some of the larger residences in the area, so it was just the one room, with a small dressing room in the back. He led her to a chair and eased her down. Her trembling hadn't decreased and she appeared to have been struck dumb.

There was a liquor tray in the corner and he filled a glass with brandy and brought it over to her.

"Drink this," he told her. "It's obvious you've had a terrible shock and it will calm you."

She sniffed the contents, then wrinkled up her nose at the strong smell. She tried to push him away, but he was undeterred.

"Have a drink," he said more sternly. "Just a few sips. For me?"

She stared up at him, her beautiful blue eyes awash with woe. He'd forgotten how those eyes riveted him, how they could hold him rapt, as if he were a green boy with his first crush.

With a quaking hand, she clasped the glass, and instead of the sips he'd requested, she downed the whole thing in three swallows. Then she vigorously shook herself, as if she were a dog climbing out of a lake.

The liquor had a rapid effect and she said, "I'm not suffering a fit of the vapors. I'm so angry that I could start a fire with the power of my thoughts."

He dragged over a second chair and sat very close. Their feet and legs were tangled together, and at the realization that he was with her again, his anatomy seemed to rejoice.

"I walked in on quite a spat," he said. "What was it about? Will you confide in me?"

"You won't believe it. It's so maddening that I can't imagine how I've remained on my feet."

"Is it Arthur? What's he done?"

Jackson hadn't yet crossed paths with Arthur. He hadn't shown up for their Tuesday meeting, then he'd proved himself a wily character. Jackson had men searching for him—at his clubs, at his favorite brothels, at the racetrack, at the seedy taverns where he caroused—but there had been no sign of him.

"Arthur is the tip of the iceberg," she said.

"Share every detail with me, and whatever is vexing you, I will take care of it."

"Will you? Do you swear? I could definitely use a champion."

"Yes, I absolutely swear."

She studied him, as if deciding whether she could trust him or not, and his firm gaze must have reassured her, for she launched into a tirade that constantly had his jaw dropping.

Her father had had a Will after all and Georgina had lied about it for years. Theo and her sister had had dowries, but Georgina had stolen them. Georgina had tricked Theo's trustee into relinquishing his authority, then she and Arthur had pilfered the assets. Arthur was spending recklessly on Nell Parsons and gambling away the rest. Theo's father had been a libertine with a mistress. Her mother was still alive! Locked in a convent by the dastardly fiend!

Jackson always chastised Cedric for being an awful father, but when he heard a story like this, Cedric ended up sounding as if he should get an award for stellar parenting.

By the time she explained about the lawyer, Mr. Coswell, she'd run out of steam and she began to cry. He drew a kerchief out of his pocket and swiped away her tears.

"I'm glad I blustered over to visit you," he said.

"I was so surprised to glance over and see you barge in. I thought I was hallucinating. Why did you come?"

"You silly girl. Must you inquire? You've been hiding from me and I couldn't stand it."

Her cheeks heated. "After I was back from the country, I couldn't convince myself that we should continue our liaison. It was too risky, but in light of what's been revealed, I think my flirtation with you is the least of my problems."

He chuckled. "Does this mean we can dally again?"

"No. It just means my life is a complete mess." She took the kerchief from him and dabbed at her eyes. "What would you advise, Jackson? I'm so furious, but I can't go home. I have no money or close friends from whom I can beg shelter. It may be an eternity before Mr. Coswell succeeds in the courts and finishes the eviction. I'm bewildered and exhausted, and if you have any suggestions, I will be grateful forever."

Jackson only pondered a quick moment. It was an insane idea, and he shouldn't have considered it, but why not? He was king of his small world and there was no one who could countermand him.

"You'll stay with me," he said, "so I can guarantee you're safe. I'll contact Mr. Coswell and I'll help him with the legal situation. I'm an earl, remember? I'll have extra sway that will hurry matters to a swift conclusion. I have plenty of tough servants and they're veterans who love a good fight. There won't be much of a delay in getting rid of those two pests."

"I can stay with you? Are you certain I should?"

"No, but you'll stay anyway. Who is there to tell you that you can't? Your stepmother?"

She snorted at that, debated, then said, "I'll stay—for as long as you'll have me."

"I will have you."

He dipped in and kissed her, as he'd been dying to attempt. His pulse pounded and his heart seemed to swell to twice its size. The affection he'd felt for her had reignited with a vengeance. He'd walked away from her once. How could he walk away again?

She looked devastated and he clasped her wrist and escorted her over to the bed. She was so befuddled that she didn't notice their direction until her thighs hit the edge of the mattress. She jolted up and glared at him.

Her tone scolding, she said, "I'm not climbing into bed with you. How could you assume I would?"

"You're not climbing in with me . You're just climbing in. You've endured too much drama today and I want you to have a nap while I handle a few details for you."

She was too drained to argue, and without complaint, he lifted her and laid her down. He covered her with a blanket, then pulled the drapes. Before he could even make it back to her side, she'd dozed off. Her fatigue was that intense.

For several minutes, he watched her sleep, reflecting on his fondness, wondering where they were headed and being practically ecstatic that he would have the chance to assist her. He'd been yearning to pummel Arthur, and now, he had the perfect excuse.

He whipped away and tiptoed out to find Cedric. With Theo on the premises, and maybe tarrying for an extended period, there were many predicaments and routines that had to be managed and repaired, and Cedric would know what all of them should be.