If it’s any consolation, Clayton… Her father’s words echoed through her brain in a maddening loop. But worse, worse, were Ewan’s words in reply.I’m much more worried about how I shall explain this to myfiancée.The man had kissed her, yet he had afiancée. He was a rogue. A scoundrel. A cheat at the very least.
Thea didn’t remember how she made it back to the staircase and managed to call for the footmen again. But once she was back in her bedchamber, she quickly shut the door behind her and wheeled around to face Maggie.
“Pack my trunk immediately, please,” she said, barely able to breathe. “We’re going home with Father.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Ewan was barely paying attention to the details of the contract that was being drawn up. He’d summoned his solicitor immediately after he and Lord Blackstone had decided that a marriage had to take place. The solicitor was currently ensconced in Ewan’s study, composing the marriage contract between Ewan and Thea.
It was quite unlike Ewan to disregard the details. Normally, he paid attention to every word of such a document. A marriage contract was something he’d be tied to for the rest of his life. There were huge implications to this document, but he couldn’t summon the will to care about the details. All he could think about was how much his life had changed in the few short weeks since meeting Lady Theodora Ballard.
Only a matter of days ago, he’d been leading a perfectly ordered life. One in which he knew precisely what he’d be doing from each day to the next because he’d bloody well planned it. But ever since Thea had arrived on his doorstep, there had been one catastrophe after another ending in a marriage contract being drawn. How in the world had this happened?
The solicitor continued asking a series of questions and Ewan answered with monosyllabic replies as he envisioned himself informing Lord Malcolm, Lydia’s father, that there would no longer be an understanding between himself and his daughter. Lord Malcolm wouldn’t be pleased, but he would be reasonable. Ewan had assumed for so long that he’d marry Lydia, he couldn’t wrap his mind around the thought that that would no longer be true. He’d had no intention of getting married anytimesoon, of course, and perhaps that said something about his eagerness to marry Lydia, or lack thereof, to be more precise.
But when he thought of marrying Thea, he found himself … looking forward to it. Certainly looking forward to the wedding night. It was surprising, to say the least, but there it was, a sense of … anticipation in his belly.
Marriages in their set were based on sound principles such as two families uniting to form a more powerful one. That’s why he’d wanted to marry Lydia. He hadn’t thought much past it other than that. Lydia seemed an agreeable enough girl. She was born and bred in a decent household. She should make a fine wife. That was all there was to it. Now, he was faced with the prospect of marrying for an altogether different reason … to prevent a scandal. And while marrying for politics might not be the best reason to marry, marrying to prevent a scandal certainly had to be among the worst.
Ewan stared out the window of his study, not even seeing the meadow beyond. He may not have asked for any of this, may not have expected it, but he had to do the honorable thing and marry Thea. He had no choice. It was the only action that would save her reputation now that the gossip rags had got ahold of the news that she’d been living under his roof. Even properly chaperoned. It didn’t matter. The sordid implication was there in black and white for the entiretonto read.
As the solicitor called out item after item that needed to be decided upon, Ewan heard himself agreeing to whatever Lord Blackstone wanted. The dowry was substantial. He had no objections. Thea would be allowed to retain control over money left to her from her mother. He had no objections. Thea would use a portion of her dowry for atrousseau. Standard fare.
“There are certain things you should know that Thea will insist upon,” Lord Blackstone announced.
Ewan arched a brow. “Such as?”
“She’ll want to ride whenever she chooses,” Blackstone replied.
Ewan’s snort of laughter filled the room. “I’d like to see anyone try to keep her from it.”
Blackstone arched a brow. “I’m afraid you’re going to have your hands full, Clayton.”
Ewan eyed the older man carefully. If Thea had beenhisdaughter, instead of acting as if she’d be a burden to the man she was to marry, he’d be doing whatever he could to tout her virtues. The young woman Ewan had come to know over the last few weeks was witty, wise, and beautiful. She knew precisely what she wanted, and she brooked no foolishness. She was a daughter Blackstone should be proud of. Ewan shook his head. Blackstone didn’t deserve his daughter. Ewan wasn’t certain he deserved her either.
OVER AN HOUR LATER,the contract had been completed. The solicitor pushed the document in front of Ewan and handed him a quill. Ewan stared at the paper and then glanced up at Blackstone. “I think we should ask Thea before we sign it. Just to ensure she’s amenable to the plan.”
Blackstone narrowed his eyes, confusion obvious in their depths. “Ask Theodora?”
Ewan had to bite the inside of his cheek to refrain from pointing out to the man that his daughter preferred to be called Thea.
“Yes, what if she objects?” Ewan asked.
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Blackstone replied curtly.
Ewan arched a brow. “Is that how you see it?”
The earl wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Leave it to me to inform Theodora.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“We’ve come to a decision,” Father pronounced as he strode through Thea’s bedchamber door at Clayton’s house.
Thea was imminently prepared for such a pronouncement. “So have I. I’m going home with you immediately.” She motioned to the packed trunks, her large one and Maggie’s small one that sat next to the door.
Father narrowed his eyes. “You must listen to me, Theodora. We’ve made the best decision for your future.”
Thea sat up straight and raised her voice. “Let me make myself clear. I amnotstaying here. Whatever plans you’ve made for me you can explain to meat home. I refuse to remain here as the subject of gossip from some unknown monger. I don’t care if my leg fallsoff.”
