“London weeps at His Grace’s absence.” Theodore gazed down at Duke curled between their feet. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’ll miss the ill-tempered beast.”
Virginia nodded. “That’s exactly what he says about you.”
Theodore’s mouth curved. He gestured at her lap. “What’s in the basket today?”
She patted the lid. “A special gift.”
His eyes narrowed. “Ice cream?”
She shook her head. “Something even better.”
“What could be better than ice cream?” he asked suspiciously.
“I’ll show you.” She opened the lid and pulled out the custom-built leg brace of walnut and metal she’d picked up at the le Duc smithy just that morning.
“Just so I’m clear,” Theodore said. “Not better than ice cream.”
She set down the basket and motioned for him to rise. “Up, up.”
He scooped his crutches from the floor and launched to his feet. “Metal doesn’t match my waistcoat.”
She knelt before him to adjust the fit of the brace with its thick leather straps. “Does it hurt?”
“No,” he said after a moment. “It’s not touching my knee. What’s it supposed to do?”
“Nothing, until you need it.” She sat back. “The straps keep the brace affixed just above and below your knee. The hinges allow you to walk with normal motion. This mechanism here—” She touched two metal pieces. “—prevents your knee from buckling completely. Your leg won’t fully bend while you are seated, but nor will it collapse beneath you if your goal is to remain upright.”
“It’s hideous.” Theodore said. “Ask if it comes in blue.”
She grinned and held out her palm. “Walk.”
His expression was dubious. “Without my crutches?”
“Take one, but try not to use it,” she suggested. “Don’t go fast. See how it feels.”
He handed her one of his crutches and took a few hesitant steps. The new metal squeaked with each motion.
“Very good,” she said approvingly.
“Very noticeable,” he corrected. “I won’t be caught dead with such a contraption in public.”
“Then you must practice every day until you don’t need it,” she shot back.
“It’s cold and heavy and displaces my balance.” His gaze met hers. “But it helps. Thank you.”
She bit her lip. “There might be a way you can return the favor.”
He lifted his brows. “Name it.”
Virginia took a deep breath. Now that her friends were scattering to the four winds, she would need to make new ones. Which meant mingling with her neighbors here in Christmas. Wild crushes were out of the question, but small dinner parties… Perhaps.
She’d turned down such invitations before, because attending would do more harm than good. She’d expose herself as the peculiar girl who didn’t belong.
This was her opportunity to send the same old story in a new direction.
“You are good at High Society,” she began slowly.
He cocked a brow. “You say that as if it were a dangerous sport.”
