“No,” she replied simply.
Theodora was avoiding him. After seeing him escape with yet another mysterious woman at Anna’s anniversary soiree, she could not handle any more of his secrets.
“It is not like there is much for you and her to do here.” Theodora realized then that while she had drifted away in her own thoughts, Evelina had continued talking. “Father is rarely around and you both must get lonely.” Theodora sat up under her sister’s gaze and made an effort to rejoin the conversation. “But at least she has you.”
Theodora offered a weak smile. “She does. And we have you. Mother will be so excited to see you here when she arrives.”
That was one truth Theodora knew. Her mother was a fierce protector of her daughters and loved them dearly, even if showing emotion wasn’t her strong suit. Like her father, her mother was raised to believe any emotion was a sign of weakness. Where that belief turned their father heartless, it made their mother avoid conflict to protect their family image. Escaping to Bath annually was her only solace.
The sound of hooves carried in through the open window.
“She is here!” Evelina announced. She grabbed Theodora’s hand and together the girls ran into the hallway to greet their mother.
As they approached the door Lord Dowell called out from his study. “Theodora! A moment, please.”
Theodora’s feet and heart stopped in their tracks. “Go on, I will be right there,” she said to Evelina who was frowning at her.
She took a moment to collect her breath before she turned to go into her father’s study.
“I see your mother is back.” His voice was devoid of any emotion.
She nodded once. “Yes.”
He glanced up from his desk of papers, looking as if it were she who interrupted him and not the other way around. “I expect you will adhere to our prior conversations and not say anything to her.”
A slight buzzing started in between Theodora’s ears. Her heart thumped loudly and her hands became clammy. She wanted to rage against him, demand he come clean, and put this charade to rest.
But instead, she clasped her hands in front of her and swallowed her rage. Once again, she simply nodded. “Yes, Father.”
He dipped his chin. “You may go.” He returned to his work as if she were no longer there.
Theodora stood for a moment. She blinked a few times trying to get her mind to do something with her body other than just stand there.
Lord Dowell raised his eyes again. “Why are you still here? I hear your mother. Go and greet her.”
Theodora said nothing but turned and walked into the hallway. She shut the door behind herself and leaned against it. Fighting back tears, she ran her hands through her hair and tucked in a stray curl that fell from a pin. She wanted to look presentable for her mother.
“There is my girl.” Her mother’s warm voice floated through the hallway and there was an instant balm on Theodora’s wounded heart.
“Mother!” She ran to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“Oh my!” Her mother tightened her arms around Theodora. “What a welcome home! Between being surprised that Evelina is here and this hug, well…” Her mother’s words dropped off.
And just like that, the balm that soothed her aching heart disappeared and the heavy weight of her father’s secret bled through her happiness.
She pulled away from her mother, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. Having her mother look at her with appreciation in her eyes was too much for Theodora to bear.
“I missed you very much, Mother. I did not realize what day it was and I forgot I wrote to a friend and said I would visit them. Is it all right if I still go?”
Lady Dowell took Theodora’s hands in hers. “Of course, my love. Go on with your friends. I am exhausted from traveling. We will catch up tomorrow morning.” She placed a kiss on Theodora’s cheeks then took Evelina’s arm. The two walked off further into the house together. Evelina turned and shot her a disapproving look, but Theodora could not stand being around her mother with such a huge lie laying heavily upon her heart and mind.
Theodora ran to her room and sat at her desk. She wrote a letter but squashed it. There was no time to deliver it.
“Mrs. Bellfry!” she called for her most trusted maid.
“Yes, Miss Dowell?” the elderly woman showed up at once.
“Get the butler to arrange a carriage for us.”
