CHAPTER ONE
The Earl of Blackstone’s Country Estate, Devon, October 1813
“I’m going to steal that horse,” Lady Theodora Ballard said as her maid, Maggie, fastened her stays.
“Are you certain that’s the best way to handle the situation?” Maggie replied, sighing heavily.
Theodora shook her head. Poor, dear, sweet Maggie. She wasn’t just Thea’s maid. Maggie had been her closest friend since their births, which were only months apart. Maggie had been the daughter of one of her mother’s favorite maids. The girls had grown up together on the estate. Thea’s mother—God rest her soul—had been the type of lady who hadn’t been bothered by convention and formalities. She’d been nothing but happy to allow her daughter to play with the daughter of a maid. And while there were obvious and inevitable differences in their educations and upbringing, the two girls hadn’t allowed their stations in life to bother them much. When the time had come, Thea hadinsistedupon taking Maggie asherlady’s maid so they could remain together forever. But Maggie had never been as outgoing, adventurous, or as cocksure as Thea. Maggie was forever trying to talk Thea out of her latest foibles.
“I’m not actuallystealing the horse,” Thea qualified, poking an errant dark curl behind her ear. “He’smyhorse. Supposed to be at least.” Thea held up her arms to allow Maggie to slip the day dress over her head.
“But didn’t you say your brother lost the auction?” Maggie prompted, spinning Thea around so she could button the back of the gown. It was a routine they’d perfected over the years.
Maggie was short and blond with dark brown eyes and round cheeks. She had a constant smile on her pretty face, except for the times she was chasing Thea around to ensure she didn’t end up in trouble. Those times Maggie usually had an exasperated expression on her face. This was certainly one of those times.
Thea rolled her eyes at her friend. “He did lose the auction, but that’s hardlymyfault. I gave Anthony specific instructions to win at all costs. If that blasted auction house would only allow females,Icertainly wouldn’t have lost.”
Maggie arched a brow. “Perhaps your father gave Lord Anthony a limit. For his purse?” This was offered tentatively as if Maggie hated to bring it up, but thought it might be an important point.
“Oh, I’m certain he did,” Theodora replied, “which is precisely why I intend to go in search of my father as soon as you finish buttoning me.”
“Well, as to that, I’m finished now, milady,” Maggie replied, patting Thea on the back to indicate that she was properly and completely buttoned.
Theodora swirled in a circle and spared a brief glance at herself in the looking glass. She’d never cared much about her appearance. She’d always been more interested in riding and horses than she’d ever been in frocks and the latest hair fripperies. She took in her own dark brown hair and determined gray eyes. The gown was lovely. Themodistehad just finished sewing it. It was a light peach satin with small flowers embroidered around the hem and sleeves. White stockings and gloves and matching peach beaded slippers completed her ensemble. She looked quite proper on the outside even if she was seething with frustration on the inside.
Thea lifted her chin. “A pity I couldn’t dress as a man and attend that auction. I swear I would have won.”
Maggie sharply sucked in her breath and shook her head. “Oh, please don’t say such things. Why, I’d have a fit if I had to dress you as a man. I’m a lady’s maid, not a valet.” She chuckled.
Thea smiled and lifted her shoulders while heaving a loud sigh. “Very well, I suppose this will have to do. Thank you for your help today, Mag. Wish me luck with Father.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Maggie replied. “And I wish you all the luck in the world.”
“I may need it.” Thea swept her skirts into her hands, turned, and marched out the door of her bedchamber. Her destination was her father’s study. Father wasn’t often home. The Earl of Blackstone tended to spend most of his time in London, with his mistress. Thea pushed the thought from her mind. It only served to anger her. Father was home this time of year because he came to visit the estate and see to the planning of their annual Christmastide ball. No doubt he’d be back to London as soon as he’d spoken to the housekeeper and butler. But for now, Thea had the perfect opportunity to ask her father about the horse auction. It was his fault the horse was at auction, after all.
She made her way through the wide upstairs corridor, then down the sweeping marble staircase that led to the foyer of her father’s country house. Once downstairs, Thea continued through the foyer to another corridor that led to the far western edge of the estate where her father’s study sat.
When she approached, the door to the study was open just a crack. Father liked to call at passersby upon occasion. Today, Theodora stuck her nose in the crack and blinked at the middle-aged man sitting behind the desk. Her father was tall and handsome, with a tinge of gray at the temples. Thea took after him in looks, or so Mother had always said. Thea certainly had inherited his dark hair and gray eyes. She hadn’t taken after him in temperament, however. Perhaps that was why they’d rarely agreed upon anything.
“I see you, Miss.” Her father’s voice floated from the room. “And I’m quite certain I know why you’ve come.”
Thea interpreted the comment for an invitation to enter the room. She pushed the door wide and strolled inside. “Good morning, Father,” she said in her most pleasant tone. She and her father had never quite been on what one would call ‘friendly’ terms. He’d been gone to London much of her childhood and just before her mother died, Thea had learned precisely what he’d been doing in London all those years. He was much more like a well-dressed stranger than a father to her. But at times she was forced to speak to him and today was one of those times. She always strove to keep their interactions civil and quick.
Her father frowned. “I’ve been expecting your visit. Anthony returned last night and told me he lost the auction in London.”
Thea marched over to stand in front of her father’s wide mahogany desk. “That is precisely why I’m here,” she allowed. “The Arabian wasmyhorse.”
Her father’s frown intensified. “The Arabian was expensive, Theodora. You’ve no idea how much that horse ended up selling for.”
Thea pressed her lips together. He’d called her Theodora. That just went to show how little her father knew her. He always called her Theodora. No one called her Theodora. Her mother and Anthony and Maggie and everyone called her Thea. As for what Father had said to her about the horse’s price, shewantedto reply, “Then perhaps you should never have sold him to begin with so we wouldn’t have to purchase him again.” Instead, she said, “I told Anthony to use my dowry if necessary. The horse couldn’t possibly have cost more thanthat,” she replied in as calm a voice as she could muster, while utter frustration coursed through her veins.
Her father pushed himself back in his chair and narrowed his eyes on her. “First of all, there is no possible way I was going to approve of your dowry being spent on a horse, but what if I told you the horse cost the original amount we agreed toplusyour dowry and double?”
Thea’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t help it. She quickly snapped it shut again before expelling a breath. “That cannot be. No Arabian has ever sold forthatmuch?”
“Trust me,” Father replied. “That’s the exact amount he went for. I was shocked to learn it myself. I’m confident Anthony did the best he could. He did not have my permission to pay anything near that amount.”
“I cannot believeanyonewould pay that much,” Thea replied, resting her chin atop her thumb. She shook her head, trying to absorb the astonishing news.Whoexactly would have paid such a price? It was outlandish. The Arabian was a gorgeous, nearly perfect piece of horseflesh indeed, but that amount of money was … ludicrous.
