“I did not!”
“You did,” all three said in unison.
Theodora lifted her chin. “Regardless, this book is absurd.”
Anna laughed. “Absurdly accurate, perhaps.”
The ladies giggled but Theodora’s pulse quickened like an unwelcome reminder of the previous night and the way her body had betrayed her while reading aloud. To add to hermortification, she struggled with her thoughts that seemed to always drift towards the Duke of Hawthorne.
She cleared her throat sharply. “We are not discussing this further.”
“Very well. But one day, you will admit that Mrs. Pennington is a genius,” Maria said dramatically.
“Never,” Theodora quietly retorted.
Evelina set her teacup down and studied her sister more closely. “Jokes aside, you seem… unsettled today, Theo.”
“I am perfectly well.” She avoided meeting her eyes as well as Anna’s deep stare.
“You are not,” Evelina said gently. “Honestly, you have been acting strangely for days.”
Anna nodded. “You look like a kettle about to boil over.”
“And you have been oddly silent at most of our meetings. It is very suspicious when you are not debating with us. Thank God you are somewhat back to your normal self today.” Maria offered her a small smile.
Theodora appreciated their support, though she was not ready to confess the truth to them at that moment.
“I do not debate,” she said instead.
The ladies sighed simultaneously.
“You prove our point.” Maria chuckled.
Theodora exhaled loudly. “Well, since you are all so eager to help me. I am in need of some advice.”
Evelina’s expression softened. “Advice on what, dear?”
Theodora hesitated. She could not tell them that she had gone to Hawthorne House and met the Duke and his sister, especially after Anna’s warning. It would be utterly scandalous, and they would demand more information. And poor Rosalind should not become a topic of gossip either. She thought carefully before she spoke.
“I require ideas,” she said slowly, “on how to help…someone suffering from melancholy.”
Her friends exchanged looks.
They are concerned.
Evelina rose abruptly and moved gracefully towards Theo, gently resting her hand on her right shoulder. Theodora glanced up at her sister with a frown only to find Evelina gazing back down compassionately.
“Theo… are you unwell?”
“What?” She feigned surprise. “No, I am well.”
Maria leaned forward and whispered, “You can tell us if you are feeling low. Truly.”
“I am not. It is just…an experiment.”
“You have been quiet and distracted. You barely laughed at my joke earlier, and it was an excellent joke,” Anna pointed out.
“It was not funny at all, Anna,” Maria muttered.
