Thea made mental note of her sister’s advice.
“I forbid it,” Strathaven said.
Emma’s chin angled up. Tension thickened in the room. The rustle of jonquil silk interrupted the silent standoff.
“I’ll take my leave before this gets bloody,” Lady Blackwood drawled. “Let me know what you decide. Even if it’s a last minute decision, you’ll still be guaranteed entrée.”
“Why is that?” Thea asked.
“Millicent Davenport is a snob who married above herself. She’s the daughter of George Clemens, one of London’s most brilliant legal minds but a solicitor nonetheless. Millicent’s most cherished ambition is to leave her roots behind. To have the opportunity to host a duchess at her luncheon?” Lady Blackwood gave Emma a pitying look. “She’ll be on you like a vine on a trellis, Your Grace.”
“That could be useful. Emma could distract Lady Davenport,” Thea said brightly, “while I search Cicero’s study.”
“You’re not going,” Gabriel said.
In soothing tones, Thea said, “We’ll talk about it later.”
“We can discuss it until hell freezes over, and you’re still not going.”
Thea decided to ignore him for now and talk to him later—in private.
“Let me see you to the door, Lady Blackwood,” she said instead.
In the foyer, she lay a hand on the marchioness’ arm. Beneath the other’s nonchalance, she sensed an agitated spirit.
“All will be well,” she said. “You’ll see.”
The lady’s smile was bleak. “I wish I had your faith. Unfortunately, reality has been my religion for far too long.”
“You are not alone in this. We’re here to help you, my lady.”
“Given everything you know about me, you might as well call me Pandora.” The raven-haired beauty studied her a moment, then said quietly, “Why do you wish to help me?”
“Because you are innocent. And you deserve justice,” Thea said in surprise.
The other’s violet eyes glimmered. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me innocent before. Even if it is not true,” she said, her voice catching, “I thank you for believing it.”
“But it is true. You mustn’t lose hope, Pandora.”
“Hope?” For an instant, the mask slid from the other’s face, and what lay underneath caused Thea’s heart to constrict. “My dear, that is the least of which I have to lose.”
Before she could reply, the marchioness slipped out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Four
On her way back to the study, Thea was waylaid by her sister.
Emma pulled her into the empty dining room and closed the door. “Have you and Tremont come to an understanding?” she said without preamble.
Thea squirmed. “I can’t talk about it yet.”
“So that’s a yes.”
“I promised Tremont that I wouldn’t say anything until after the Spectre is caught.”
“If he doesn’t want the world to know, then he shouldn’t act as if he has rights over you,” Emma pointed out. “His manner in the study was dashed proprietary, if you ask me.”
“He’s just being protective. He doesn’t want me to get hurt.” Thea bit her lip. “That’s also why he doesn’t want to make an engagement official until the villain is captured. He’s afraid whomever is after him will target me as well.”
