“Which is what?”
“The talking stage where both parties look for common ground.”
Evelina glanced at her sister. “I may not be a seasoned scientist like you, but how is that going to prove love does not exist? It is natural for people to seek out similarities with others during the course of a conversation.”
Theodora smiled. “Exactly. We wish to speak to people who have things in common with us because something inside our minds is just searching for a compatible partner.”
Evelina wrinkled her nose. “Well, that doesn’t sound so very scientific. I think any member of the ton could tell you that a marriage will thrive if the couple is compatible.” She sighed almost wistfully. “Look at Mama and Papa. If we were to listtheir traits, they would never match. But they have been together forever and they complement each other nicely.”
Theodora began to grind her molars. “No.” She could feel her heart race, and she had the sudden urge to run. She stopped her steps causing Evelina to misstep. The world around her began to spin.
“Theo? Are you all right? Why did you stop?”
Theodora closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. “I am sorry, Evelina, I am fine. Something just came over me.” She placed her hand on her stomach. “It felt as if I were about to step onto stage to perform a song on the pianoforte only, I did not prepare. Do you remember that one summer concert when I did that?”
Evelina smiled. “I was sure Father was going to lock you in your room for the Season.”
Theodora felt her heartrate pick up again at the mention of her father. Her eyes looked around for a distraction.
“You still do not look well. Would you like to sit?” Evelina gestured to a park bench a few feet ahead of them.
“No, there is Maria over by those trees with some specimen, er, gentlemen. I should speak with them. Come.” The last thing she wanted to do was sit and have her mind replay her last few interactions with her father.
Theodora practically dragged her sister to where Maria and her husband stood with two men.
“Ah, Theodora and Evelina, how nice to see you out on this gorgeous day.” Maria introduced the sisters to Lord Darvy and Mr. Collinsworth, friends of her husband’s.
“Very nice to meet you both.” Theodora extended her hand to Lord Darvy. He placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles, and she made a mental note that she had yet to feel anything whenever a man kissed her.
That is not true,her mind reminded her.
She scowled.
“Everything all right Miss Dowell?” He asked.
“Hmm? Oh, yes, sorry. I was just thinking of something my sister said.”
He looked at Evelina who raised an eyebrow at Theodora.
“We were talking about Sophocles and his writing.” Theodora beamed.
The Lord’s eyes lit up. “Ah.Oedipus Rexwritten by the great Athenian Sophocles.”
Theodora looked up and met the man’s eyes. “You know of him?”
Lord Darvy laughed. “Of course I do. I studied the Romans and Greeks while at school, although,” he leaned in towards Theodora, “the Greeks and their mythology were my favorite.”
Theodora gasped. “Mine, too!”
Evelina and Maria exchanged a look.
“I feel a lot for the writings of the great philosophers. We do not give them enough credit when continuing their research,” Lord Darvy admitted.
Excitement hummed in Theodora’s blood. “Fascinating. I believe the same. We owe a lot to our predecessors.”
Mr. Collingsworth cleared his throat and Lord Darvy pulled out his time piece. “Drat. We must be going.” He looked at Theodora. “I hate to leave; I feel our conversation would be most enlightening. I am on my way out of town, but if you attend any balls, I would love to continue our conversation then.”
Theodora smiled and shook her head. “I believe I will be.”
