Thea struggled to hide her dismay. “Will you be gone for long?”
“I can’t say. I’ve received word my grandfather is ill.”
“Oh, I am sorry.” Her reprieve was short lived, it seemed. Farnborough would ask her again and, with Grainger gone… She would have to go to her father with the truth. But would that put Papa in danger?
A group of guests appeared and bustled noisily into the knot garden discussing herbs.
“We must talk,” Grainger said sotto voce. “But not here. Meet me in the library in half an hour.”
“Yes, of course.”
As he strode away, anticipation and excitement threaded through her. She had faith that Grainger would take steps to prevent Farnborough from carrying out his cruel plan and save the laird’s life. She visualized the heading of her article.Scottish laird saved from a watery grave…
In the drawing room, Thea walked over to her grandmother, who paused mid-sentence, gazing at her in surprise. “What is it, child?”
“I just wondered if you were all right, Grandmama.”
“Don’t fuss, Thea, but you can fetch me a glass of lemonade.”
Thea carried over the lemonade she had taken from a footman’s tray. Grandmama took it from her with an airy wave of dismissal. “Do not concern yourself with me, child. Go and enjoy yourself.”
Thea could not wait to learn what Grainger wished to tell her. A bare fifteen minutes had passed when she went in search of the library. She opened several doors before discovering it, the bookshelves crammed with books. It was blessedly empty, the fire unlit. Dark bookcases covered the walls, with a fireplace at one end. Leather armchairs and sofas and occasional tables were scattered about. She walked the length of the room, across the crimson Oriental carpet, to a group of seating near the fireplace and chose an oxblood-red leather chair. Minutes later, the door opened, and she turned her head, expecting Grainger. It was not.
“Theodosia.” With a deep frown, her father approached her. “I saw you enter the library. Escaping from people has become a habit. You are not shy. Why do you find it necessary to be alone?”
“We have had a very busy time since I came to London, and I suppose I am a little tired, Papa.” Thea glanced at the door, hoping Grainger would not enter.
“Tired?” He sat in the wing chair opposite her. “You have never been tired in your life. Your excessive vitality routinely drove your nanny and governess to distraction, and since then, your mother.” He folded his arms, looking stern. “Lord Farnborough has come to me much troubled. When he proposed to you, you treated him with indifference, denying him your answer.”
“We were interrupted, Papa.” She put a hand on her hot cheek. “But I cannot marry him. I don’t love him.”
He nodded. “That’s to be expected. You hardly know him. All young ladies have romantic dreams of love. Farnborough is an attractive man. His family is distantly related to royalty. He will offer you a wonderful life, my girl. You should be delighted. Love and affection will come in time.”
“I will never agree to marry him. I dislike him.”
His gray eyes searched hers. “Have you developed a fondness for some other man?”
Thea struggled to find an appropriate answer. “No…it’s just that…”
He sat up straight. “A man is toying with your affections? Leading you astray?”
“No, Papa!”
The door opened. Her heart sank as Grainger appeared. “Ah, there you are, Thea, we can’t stay long…” He paused at the look of horror on her face.
With a bark of outrage, her father rose from the high-backed chair that hid him from Grainger’s view. “You wish to see my daughter, Theodosia, alone, Lord Grainger? Mind telling me why?”
“Papa, it’s not what you think, really…” Thea began.
“I should like a private word, Sir Ralph,” Grainger said, his jaw tight.
“As do I.” Her father turned to her. “Please leave us, Thea.”
“No…please, let me…” Thea glanced pleadingly at him, wanting to stay and help Grainger, but when he held up his hand to silence her, she could only leave the room.
Thea stood outside the door in despair. She should have been more cautious and made sure no one observed her when she entered the library. Really, did her father have spies? Now she had placed Grainger in a very difficult position. What could he possibly say to appease her father? Papa was already disappointed in her, so he might as well learn the truth, even though he would send her home. She sighed bitterly. Her dream of an exciting career among the writers at Fleet Street faded from view. For now, she must tell him.
Ash studied SirRalph Tothill’s livid expression and fought to order his thoughts, aware that Theodosia’s enraged parent required skillful handling. He could hardly reveal in what manner his daughter came to be in the garden alone with him when they overheard Farnborough’s conversation. “I believe this requires a brandy, sir,” he said and strolled over to the drinks table. “May I pour you one?”
