Page 52

More than once, Jordan and Mother had asked him where he’d found such a treasure.

Thus far, because of the chaos in the household, Theran had avoided a straight answer. Perhaps if he were fortunate, he’d never have to explain. The truth made both of them seem impetuous and imprudent. Perhaps there was nothing wrong with that.

Raymond hadn’t yet arrived, and Theran speculated his brother mightn’t at all, despite his letter of a few weeks ago saying he had been granted leave. But then again, free-spirited Raymond did precisely what Raymond wanted to do, and of the three Rutland sons, he was the least dependable. Mother said it was because he was the middle child.

Theran believed it was simply Raymond’s character. He was the only brother who hadn’t married, though he’d left a long trail of heartbroken women behind him.

Theran’s boot heels clicked on the parquet floor as he traversed the long corridor. The house was blessedly cooler than the outdoors. Was it only two summers ago, the weather had been so cold, the skies so overcast that crops had failed?

After over a week of not knowing if Violetta and Mayven—the tiny baby girl—would survive, mother and daughter gained strength. Though the crisis appeared to be over, and the physician was optimistic, Dr. Parnell would make no promises as yet.

For the first time in a very long while, Theran had actually prayed.

It might not help, but what could it hurt?

Jordan had barely slept or eaten since Theran arrived at Trenthurst House. Theran had offered to take on Jordan’s responsibilities so that he could remain with his wife and daughter. Much like himself when in residence at Atherley Hall, Jordan preferred a hands-on approach to managing his estate rather than leaving everything to a steward to manage.

Today, Theran had inspected the dry-stone fence between Jordan’s property and Bambrick’s. He’d found two places where several stones had tumbled down, which explained why Rutland’s banded Galloway cattle had wandered onto their neighbor’s property.

A polite note from Poindexter Bambrick yesterday had made them aware of the issue, and men had been sent to retrieve the curious beasts and temporarily repair the wall. A ten-foot stretch of fencing needed repairing.

As Theran lengthened his strides, he cocked his head. Voices filtered from the drawing room, and he puckered his forehead. Still confined to bed, Violetta wasn’t entertaining yet, and Mother had made no mention of inviting guests for tea. She wouldn’t have done with her daughter-in-law ailing.

A nasty thought unfurled in his mind, and he bit back a vulgar curse.

Surely Albertina Bambrick wouldn’t be so crass as to call without an invitation given the crisis in the Rutland household. Devil take her, of course, she would. He’d bet White Flame Athena had accompanied her too.

Theran had never liked nor trusted his stepmother-in-law. The tales Imogene had shared of the woman’s pettiness and favoritism toward Athena had left a bad taste in his mouth. For the first few years of her father’s marriage to Albertina, Imogene had been at finishing school—at her stepmother’s insistence.

Theran was always polite but had never warmed to the woman in the three years he and Imogene had been married, nor in the years since his wife’s death.

Unlike her husband, Albertina had made no effort to be part of Bernadine’s life. His daughter scarcely knew her step-grandmother.

Steeling his spine and wrestling his irritation under control, Theran entered the drawing room.

Sure enough, there sat Albertina and Athena in their usual patronizing glory. No other neighbors had been so invasive. The Marquess and Marchioness of Ballister had sent flowers and a consolatory note but hadn’t imposed during this trying time.

“Ah, there you are, Theran.”

Theran didn’t miss the strained lines bracketing his mother’s mouth or her lack of reprimand for his tardiness. If anything, she appeared relieved at his arrival.

He crossed to her and kissed her cheek. “Forgive me. My horse threw a shoe, and I had to walk him back to the stables.”

Whereas Aunt Melvelia’s taste ran to bold and garish, Mother’s were far simpler. The drawing room was tastefully decorated in shades of blue, ivory, and gold. No plethora of bric-a-brac adorned every surface, nor was there an abundance of frilly throw pillows.

He’d no sooner finished speaking than Jordan astonished him by ambling in. Purplish crescents still shadowed beneath his eyes, and gaunt hollows accented his cheeks, but he was freshly shaven and wearing clean clothing for the first time in days.

“Darling, I’m so pleased you can join us today.” Mother beamed as she poured two more cups of tea. “This is a delicious Darjeeling tea that Raymond sent from India. I think you’ll enjoy the light floral flavor.”

Ironic that the tea had arrived, but Raymond hadn’t.

It was good to see Jordan slowly getting back to normal life. He’d not left Violetta’s chamber for more than thirty minutes. His newborn daughter slept in a bassinet in her parents’ room because Violetta was terrified to let the tiny infant out of her sight.

Theran accepted his cup and selected the chair farthest from Athena. Hemsworth was right. She did regard Theran like a sweetmeat she wanted to devour.

Or a cat with a cornered mouse.

Athena gave Theran one of her seductress’s smiles as he greeted his brother.