“It’s true, me lady,” Rosalie said, as if she’d read Thea’s thoughts. “Only, even I’m not privy to that guest. I’ve no idea who’s in that room.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ewan decided to ask James and Giles to bring Lady Theodora and her wheelchair into the dining room that evening. The two footmen waited until no other servants were in the foyer before carrying her down and pushing her into the large room. Ewan was standing near the windows with his hands in his pockets when they entered. He turned immediately to greet her and immediately sucked in his breath.
Lady Theodora was wearing a pretty gown of lavender and her hair was swept up. A string of pearls graced her neck and earbobs hung from her ears. She was breathtaking.
“You look wonderful,” Ewan told her, thinking he’d never had a more lovely dinner partner. He moved away from the window to meet her near the table.
“So do you, my lord,” Lady Theodora replied, her gaze taking him in from top to toe.
Ewan glanced down. He had spent some time on his appearance this evening, ensuring that his valet put him in his finest evening attire, including a black coat and breeches, white shirtfront and cravat and a sapphire blue waistcoat. He’d even bothered to slick back his hair with a bit of pomade.
Ewan bowed to Lady Theodora, “Thank you, my lady. I’m pleased that you agreed to have dinner with me again this evening.”
“No, it is I who must thank you,” Lady Theodora replied. “It’s lovely to come sit in dining room again and to feel as if everything is somewhat normal.”
Ewan chuckled. “I can understand that sentiment.” He gestured to the dinner table that had already been set by the servants. The two footmen had gone down to the kitchens to retrieve the first course.
“May I?” Ewan asked, gesturing to Lady Theodora’s chair.
“Yes, please,” she replied, giving him a smile.
Ewan pushed her chair up to the table as close as possible. He angled the chair so that her legs were to the right side of the head of the table. “I took the liberty of moving my place setting to be closer to you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Lady Theodora glanced down at the tabletop where Ewan’s plates, utensils, and wine glass were set on the left side of hers.
She gave him another bright smile. “I prefer it, actually. That way we’ll be able to hear one another.” She laughed as she regarded the long stretch of the dining table.
“That was my thinking as well. Why stand on formality?” Ewan replied, grinning. “We’re already in an odd arrangement.”
“Indeed,” Lady Theodora replied.
The footmen entered the room with the first course of artichoke soup and began to serve it and pour the wine.
Lady Theodora cleared her throat. “Did you … finish your business with your solicitor, my lord?”
Ewan grabbed up his spoon. “Yes, though I can’t say it was more enjoyable than helping you with your wheelchair lessons. How about you? What did you do this afternoon? After your lesson, that is.”
Lady Theodora laughed again, and Ewan realized it was a pleasant sound. Much more preferable than her waspishness. “I rested a bit, and I woke with sore arms.” She winced and pressed her shoulders. “And then I finished sewing the nightrail.”
Ewan frowned. “Nightrail?”
Lady Theodora nodded and took a sip from her wine glass. “Yes, I sewed a nightrail for Rosalie.”
The frown remained on Ewan’s face. “Rosalie? The maid.”
“That’s right. She was so kind as to allow me to wear one of hers the night I came to stay here, I thought it only right to repay her with a new garment. Maggie brought some fabric from home. It was the loveliest white sarcenet.”
Ewan stared hard at Lady Theodora for several seconds before he finally realized he was gaping at her. “That was … good of you,” he finally managed.
Lady Theodora shrugged. “No better than what she did for me. And speaking of nice gestures, thank you again for the wheelchair, my lord. It was entirely unexpected and unnecessary but appreciated just the same.”
Ewan shook his head and took another sip of wine. “Don’t mention it again, please. It’s the least I could do for you.”
Lady Theodora took another spoonful of soup. “Yes, you mentioned having the chair would help me to move around the house and property. Am I allowed to goanywhereon the property then, my lord?” She eyed him expectantly.
Ewan furrowed his brow. “Yes. I don’t see why not. We can arrange for the servants who don’t know you’re here to be out of a certain area when you visit if that’s what you mean.”
