Grandmama refused to explain herself further, even though Thea tried to persuade her, so she finally gave up asking her.
When she left her grandmother to fetch their things, she expected her father to be saying goodbye to the Millards, but as she approached a doorway leading onto the corridor, she heard his voice. Not wishing him to see her, she paused and waited for an opportunity to slip past.
“I thought we had a gentleman’s agreement, Tothill,” Farnborough said. His voice had that dangerous edge she recognized. “You agreed to my suit. Then, with an appallingly ungentlemanly about face, you accepted Grainger’s proposal. No doubt because he will soon be earl.”
“It wasn’t, although I admit that does please me for Thea’s sake.” Her father’s voice sounded unruffled. “I asked my daughter to choose between the two of you and promised to sanction her choice. She chose Grainger.”
“I could destroy your reputation, should I reveal what I know,” came the fierce whisper.
“It would reflect far worse on you,” her father responded curtly. “I doubt you’d risk that.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Farnborough snarled.
“I considered you to be a decent man and a friend, Eugene,” her father said in a quiet, puzzled voice. “I must congratulate you for pulling the wool over my eyes when I’m seldom fooled. I’m relieved my daughter had the good sense to refuse you.” A chair slammed back. “If you’ll excuse me, I don’t believe we have anything more to say to one another.”
She hurried away, horrified, her mouth dry. What was it that Farnborough held over her father?
Trembling. she located her grandmother’s shawl, fan, and their reticules and went back to her.
“You took your time… Why, whatever is the matter, child?” Grandmama gazed at her, concerned. “You should be happy. This is the best time of your life.”
“I’m a little nervous, Grandmama,” Thea confessed, forcing a smile.
“How foolish,” Grandmama said with an affectionate hug.
They made their way to the great hall where the Millards were farewelling guests. As a footman brought their evening cloaks, Thea’s father appeared. He was quiet on the way home. She watched him, wondering what he and Farnborough had been involved in. It was beyond her comprehension, she decided, and turned her attention to Grandmama, who, thrilled by the engagement, discussed the clothes they must take on their journey into the country. “Your new riding habit, of course. You must make a good impression on the earl, Thea. A most elegant gentleman. Why I knew him when we were young…” Grandmama stared out the window, lost in the past. Making Thea suspect she was looking forward to this trip more than she was.
Her father rallied at last. “I’m proud of you, girl.”
Oh, Papa, Thea thought dismally. What she had decided would hurt him and mother, and yet, she could see no way around it.
Ash climbed intohis curricle, with Thea still uppermost on his mind. While he hadn’t insulted her intelligence by confessing a love he didn’t feel, he had attempted to reassure her and show her how much he admired her and wanted her to be his wife. Had he made a grave error? She was clearly reluctant. Had he found the one debutante in all of London who did not wish to marry?
Once his groom, Jed, climbed aboard, Ash drove straight to Chelsea. The moon had sailed high in the sky by the time he pulled up before the laird’s mansion. Peter ran from the shadows to greet him.
“Arrived earlier this evening, milord. I watched Lord Spencer go inside. He’s not come out again.”
“Good work, Peter. Go home. I’ll contact you tomorrow.”
Peter touched his hat and slipped away. The dark swallowed him up, and not even the sound of his boots on the cobbles reached Ash’s ears. That was what made Peter so good at surveillance, Ash noted. You never knew when he was around. Not a small man, but the fellow was a master of stealth.
Aware of the lateness of the hour, Ash left Jed with the horses and ran up the steps to rap upon the knocker. Minutes passed, then a footman opened the door. The lighted hall behind him, he narrowed his eyes against the dark, no doubt suspicious of anyone calling at this hour.
“Lord Grainger. I apologize for the lateness of the hour, but it is urgent I speak to Lord Spencer,” Ash said.
“He’s not here, milord.”
Ash frowned. “Did he not just arrive from Scotland?”
The footman nodded. “He went out straight after.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“I believe to see a lady friend,” the footman said, tugging at his coat sleeve.
Ash cursed under his breath. “Her name?”
“I believe it’s Mrs. Corrigan, milord.”
