Theo didn’t answer, but shoved to his feet and walked away, leaving the chair he’d departed to rock backward. It was only Callum’s quick reflexes that allowed him to catch it before it clattered to the floor. As he righted it, Theo could feel himself being watched.
“I’m surprised that you’re so shocked by the question,” Callum said softly. “Weallknow there’s something between you two.”
Theo pivoted back. “What…what does that mean?”
Callum’s brows lifted. “You are a new Theo every time she enters a room.”
“That’s rubbish,” Theo said, and returned his attention to the garden below. He wished he felt the charge was as ridiculous as he claimed. But sometimes when he was with Etta he did feel…different. New.
He heard Callum’s chair creak as his friend pushed to his feet behind him but still refused to turn back. He was already revealing too much, he didn’t want to do even more. Didn’t want to endanger himself or put Bernadette on the spot with her friends.
“Clearly you don’t want to speak about this to me,” Callum said gently.
“There’s nothing to speak about.” There was a long pause and Theo finally faced him. Callum was watching him so closely now and there was…God, was that a pitying expression? For what?
“Speaking from recent personal experience,” Callum said. “Don’t destroy something out of fear that could make you happy.”
Theo wanted to say something pithy in return, meaningless words were right there on his tongue. Only he couldn’t. He could only stare at Callum, who he knew had gone through hell and come out the other side with love and a future…and feel envious.
“Callum,” he said, his voice rough in the quiet room.
But before he could say anything more, there was a light knock on the partially closed door and Kimball stepped partially into the room. “I beg your pardon, Your Graces, but the Duchess of Tunbridge has arrived. I’ve put her in the parlor, as you requested.”
Theo nodded and Kimball stepped out. Now when he turned back to Callum whatever wild desire he’d had to confess his soul was buried again. It seemed Callum realized it, too, because he got to his feet with an expression of surrender.
Theo forced a smile and extended a hand to him. “I’ll see you when you and Valaria return. How long are you gone?”
Callum still looked concerned, but he shook Theo’s hand regardless. “Ten glorious days,” he said, and looked vastly content. “Shall I say good morning to Bernadette, as well?”
He could see the questions in his friend’s gaze but ignored it. “Certainly, if you’d like.”
Callum inclined his head and they moved out of the study and to the parlor together. Bernadette was standing at the fireplace as they entered and she turned back, a bright smile on her gorgeous face. When she saw Callum, that smile dissipated and she caught her breath.
All of which Callum ignored, though he must have seen it, too. He crossed to her and took her hand. “Bernadette, I didn’t realize you and the duke had an appointment. I'll leave you to it, but I hope I’ll see you this afternoon for tea with Flora and Valaria.”
She nodded. “Y-yes. To see you two off on your adventure tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Callum squeezed her hand and headed back through the room with a meaningful look for Theo. “Good day, you two.”
As he left, Theo reached behind himself and quietly closed the door. Etta tracked the movement, but there was little pleasure in her gaze, only fear as she stepped forward and said in a harsh whisper, “Does he know? Did you tell him about what we did?”
* * *
Bernadette watched Theo’s expression close off at her question and his body language become more guarded. He arched a brow. “Do you fear that?”
“Of course I do,” she said with a shake of her head. “A woman’s reputation is so fragile. Even we widows must be careful.”
He nodded slowly. “Of course. Although he would never do anything to hurt you, Callum knows nothing. He did say that he and the others suspect there might be something between us, but I gave him no details.”
Even though that was exactly what she wanted in this moment, secrecy, there was a flash of disappointment that worked through her. After all, if Theo had told his dearest friend about their connection, that would mean it meant something to him.
Which it didn’t. It didn’t mean anything to either of them. She had to remember that if nothing else.
“They all…they all see things where they don’t exist because they’re in the throes of new love,” she said, wishing she sounded steadier.
“Yes,” he agreed, far too readily. Then he moved toward her and her heart started to throb. “This,” he said, taking her hand and drawing her closer, “is between us.”
He kissed her gently and she lost her breath. She wound her arms around his neck, feeling the same fire stoke in her today that had stoked in her last night when he had her in his arms. Everything else fell away, including her tangled feelings about a connection beyond the physical. She leaned into him, opening to him, loving when his kiss became more driven and reckless.
