“My friend, Maria, made them. She is an expert at lemon cakes.”
“I am aware,” he said, inhaling deeply. “I can smell her expertise from here.” He turned to his butler. “Thank you, Mr. Carson. Kindly get one of the maids to bring Lady Rosalind.”
“At once, Your Grace.” The elderly man bowed and exited the room.
Leaving Alexander and Theodora alone.
At last.
He studied her as she stood stock-still. Her shoulders were squared and tightly wounded, and her eyes looked tired…as if she had been crying the whole night. Alex felt an unexpected surge of anger.
Who hurt her?
“Theodora, are you all right?”
She gave him a tired smile. “Yes, I am fine…how is Rosalind today?”
The sudden shift of topic made him curious, but he knew better than to question someone who did not want to talk about it.
“She is…as she usually is,” he spoke truthfully. “She had a bit of breakfast then went to her chambers.”
“All right.” Theo lifted the tray slightly. “I thought we might eat outside. A sort of… mini picnic.”
Alexander let out a small laugh.
“What is so funny?” She frowned at him.
He immediately stopped laughing, although his lips continued to twitch. “A picnic?”
“Yes,” she said firmly, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Fresh air is good for the mind. And lemon cake is good for everything else.”
He chuckled. “Well, I cannot argue with that, but it is totally up to Rosalind.”
As he mentioned her name, Rosalind walked into the study looking just as troubled as Theodora. Alexander held back a heavy sigh.
Perhaps they both need some fresh air.
“Good morning, Lady Rosalind, how are you today?” Theo asked gently.
Rosalind looked up at Theodora and to Alexander’s surprise, her expression softened.
“Miss Dowell,” Rosalind replied quietly. “I am…well. Thank you.”
Theodora smiled at her and Alex felt a sudden tug in his chest.
“I brought cake.” She held up the tray and beamed.
Rosalind’s eyes widened. “Is it lemon cakes?”
Alexander watched his sister’s reaction in awe.
“The very best.” Theo nodded, holding the tray steadily in her hands.
Alexander cleared his throat. “Rosalind, Miss Dowell has planned a picnic for you two. How does that sound?”
Rosalind looked at him with an unreadable expression. “That sounds fine.”
He smiled at her and she smiled weakly back, but it was all that he needed. He walked to his coat rack and threw one on.
