Evelina narrowed her eyes. “This is too much. Playing with emotions is not for the weak.”
Theodora straightened at that. “I am not weak. It was hot and I have not had anything to eat or drink. And, yes, fine, throwing me in front of men I was not prepared for, was not how I was expecting to conduct my experiment, because…” She took a breath. “Experiments need to be controlled by thescientist.”
Her words came out sharper than she initially intended but her mind was spiraling with thoughts of her father’s whereabouts. Her sister and friends remained silent around her.
“I am sorry for snapping at you just now, Evelina.” She forced a smile. “I really am fine. I truly needed some air.” She leaned back against the wall, and her satchel hit her hip reminding her of her findings.
“In fact, while I do agree that the Scarlet Duke does not sound like someone I need to involve in my experiment,” she said to Anna, “he did help me realize that I may be right with my initial thoughts on ‘love at first sight.’”
The three women looked at each other then back to Theodora.
“How so?” Maria inquired.
She took another steadying breath. She had no intention of discussing everything now.
“Oh Theo, did he say something to you?” Anna brought her hands to her mouth.
“What?” Theo questioned. “No. I mean he?—”
But the very thought of him made her shudder and it was not an unpleasant feeling.
Evelina looked at Theo and rested her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “If he made you uncomfortable in any way you can tell us.”
Theodora looked at all three women in disbelief. Their line of questioning was absurd, and it was making her feel dizzy again. She did not need all of these questions right now. What she needed now was some space to breathe and think.
She turned to Anna. “May I use your library?”
Anna looked at Evelina who nodded subtly. “Of course. You know where it is.” Anna grabbed Theodora’s arm before she could leave. “Are you sure you are all right? You look awfully pale. I could walk you there then send someone for some refreshments.”
“Thank you, but I will be fine. Go back to your anniversary party, Anna.” She leaned over and kissed both of Anna’s cheeks.
Taking Evelina’s hand, she looked at Maria. “Please ladies, you may all proceed. I am all right; I simply need to document my findings before discussing them with you.”
The three said their hesitant goodbyes as Theodora made her way towards the library.
* * *
Observation Day One
It appears that ‘love at first sight’ is nothing more than our primal instincts, coming alert at the sign of a suitable mate. A woman’s choice of clothing can influence a potential mate to the extent that even two strangers might feel the similar vibrational patterns between each other simply because of the color she wears.
I have not felt such vibrations?—
The quill hovered over Theodora’s notebook as she ruminated over how to precisely write her next observation because she had felt a certain type of vibration between her and the gladiator.
The Scarlet Duke.
All thoughts of him and the words for her experiment kept being interrupted by images of her father with the new mysterious lady.
Who is she?
Her stomach tightened at the thought of the wordmistress. She grimaced. What an ugly word.
Theodora straightened her back and sighed. She needed to stop thinking about her father. A few days ago, she had been tempted to write about his affair but after having the Duke of Hawthorne find her book tonight she would be more careful about what she documented in the future.
With a shake of her head, she returned to her notebook.
After several conversations with seemingly attractive men, no sudden vibrations occurred within my body.
