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“I thought you were coming tomorrow morning,” Theo says to his parents, his hand still firmly holding mine as we walk inside.

“Kate called and said she was free to come up tonight, so we decided to give her a lift in our car,” Penelope says. Her cool gaze drifts over my H&M jeans and knitted sweater.

But I’m too busy looking at the brunette. Kate. The one who seems to be smiling a little too widely at Theo. She pulls her gaze from him and offers me her hand.

“I hear you’ve been experiencing the delights of Anchor and Hope,” she says. Her wide almond eyes slide back to Theo. “Remember the year we all worked behind the bar there? God, we were feral.”

Alex slides his hand around her waist, like he’s staking his territory. As he pulls her against his side, I assume they’re together, which is interesting because she looks at Theo more than at him.

“That sounds like Theo,” Alex says, his voice more jolly than earlier. “Always happiest down in the dirt. Dragging everyone else with him.”

“You must be Gina,” Theo’s father says to me. “American, right? They make you all so bright and shiny over there.”

“Her name is Georgia,” Theo corrects.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ravensmere,” I say.

The Baron’s handshake is firmer than Kate’s. It lingers longer, too. “Call me Dickie,” he urges. “Everybody does. Except my darling wife.”

“Because Richard suits you better,” she says. “Hello again, Georgia.”

“Hello, Penelope.” I give her my best smile. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

“I hear you’re sleeping in Theo’s room,” Kate says, leaning forward like we’re already best friends. “Mind that bed. It’s not exactly forgiving.”

I blink. Theo doesn’t.

“We should get a drink,” Dickie says. “This is supposed to be a damn party, not a wake.”

“Actually,” I say. “I think I might head up to bed. I’m beat.”

Dickie frowns.

“She means she’s tired,” Kate tells him. “Don’t worry, Theo hasn’t been beating her.” She lifts an amused brow at me. “I assume.”

“Want me to come up with you?” Theo asks.

I shake my head. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “Your parents just got here. I’m sure you want to catch up with them.”

His gaze lingers on me, like he’s trying to decide if I’m being honest. Behind him, Kate lets out a soft, amused breath.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he comes back to you,” she promises.

“I’m not something that needs returning,” he says mildly. Then he smiles at me. “Give me twenty minutes.”

“I’ll see you then.”

Dickie claps his hands. “Let’s get some drinkies, now, before I sober up and regret this whole damn party.”

“Sleep tight, Georgia,” Penelope calls out to me, like she’s remembered she’s the hostess. “And do let Barbara know if you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine, thank you.” I give them all a bright smile.

I turn and head for the staircase, my footsteps echoing as I climb. And the murmur of voices below is cut by the sharp notes of Kate’s tinkling laugh.

At the top of the stairs I pause. She leans in to Theo and says something that makes his expression change. His jaw tightens.

He doesn’t laugh, or reply. But he does step back from her.