Theodora ignored the slight and continued on her mission. “It is true. You are doing yourself a great disservice by not familiarizing yourself with the latest scientific discoveries.”
Maria snorted. “Trust me. I have two little boys and ascarredDuke; there are plenty of scientific discoveries going on in our home.” She winked at Theodora who sighed.
“And what would those discoveries be?” Theodora asked dryly.
“That they are just as inquisitive as you, which, do not misunderstand me, I love that, but sometimes you have to let things be. Not everything needs a scientific explanation.” Maria quirked an eyebrow towards Theodora.
Theodora wrinkled her nose. As much as she wanted to argue, it was difficult when Maria looked at her with her gentle dove eyes. She tore her eyes away from her friend.
“Nonsense. Science can explain anything. Even love!” She exclaimed.
Three sets of eyes stared back at her in total confusion before the giggles washed over them.
“Come now, Theo, you cannot honestly believe that.” Anna, the Duchess of Wutherton, suggested.
Theodora bristled. “Of course I can.” She sat in a chair next to her sister, with the book firmly in her grasp.
Anna grimaced. Her dimples made her look attractive even then. “That is no way to live a life, Theo. Sometimes things justare.Like love. You just have to… believe.” She fluttered her dark eyes for dramatic effect and all the ladies laughed.
But Theodora rolled her eyes. Anna and Maria had met their dukes andfallen in lovequite drastically. She feared that their heartbreaks may be great someday, but she did not wish that upon her friends who had become dear to her as sisters.
“Tell me, Anna, what exists that faith can explain but science cannot?” She didn’t give her friend a chance to answer. “The correct response is nothing. Science can explain everything, even emotions.”
Evelina sighed, pulling Theodora’s attention to her. If anyone understood her it would be her sister. She had suffered through a loveless marriage and then the loss of her husband.
Theodora raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you not agree with me, sister?”
Evelina sat up in her chair. Her light curls fell carelessly around her shoulders. “It is not that I do not believe you, Theo. I grew up with you, remember? I can recall all the times you scared the ever-loving daylights out of poor old Mrs. Bellfry with your experiments proving the things you read in your books.”
Theodora smiled smugly. She knew her sister would always defend her.
“But…”
Theodora’s brows furrowed. Apparently, shecouldbe wrong.
“I agree with Anna and Maria. I do believe there aresomethings that science cannot explain.”
Theodora swallowed her hurt and anger. “I am all for collecting information and engaging in debate. After all, no natural philosopher or biologist is worth their salt if they don’t gather information. Canyouthink of something specific that science cannot explain?” She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice but failed.
Evelina chewed her bottom lip which Theodora took as a victory.
Before she could gloat, Evelina held up her hand. “Now, hold on. I see you getting excited thinking you won this round, but I guarantee you there is something out there that science simply cannot explain.”
“Why grass is green!” Anna offered.
Theodora squinted at the Duchess of Wutherton. “It is a process called photosynthesis. You see?—”
“No.” Maria interjected as she stood and stretched her long legs. “We will take your word for an explanation ofthat.”
Theodora shook her head and laughed. “I honestly believe with all of my beating heart that science is the answer to everything and if you all would just read this book by Galvani youwould see that our attraction to others, from friendships to…” She paused hoping the blush she felt creeping onto her face wasn’t noticeable. “…other types of relationships are all courtesy of vibrations within our bodies. We are all basically balls of energy bouncing around, vibrating off of each other. And with your husbands being decent men, the vibrations are sure to be reflected.”
The ladies exchanged a smug look.
“Sounds like the experience I had with my husband last night. My body wasdefinitelyvibrating energetically,” Anna murmured and winked at Theodora.
Maria and Evelina burst out in laughter at their friend’s off-colored remark. Theodora tried to remain serious, but their laughter was infectious and she eventually joined in. She took in the cacophony of sounds surrounding her. The conversation aside, these ladies were the only ones who truly allowed her the space to talk freely about her love of all things scientific, and she felt at peace with them.
Theodora looked around and silently hoped that their time together would not end because she dreaded going home. Home had become the place that her father and his mistress tainted forever.
