How could she choose between the man she loved and her mother and sister?
Could James be persuaded to arrange clandestine meetings?
Would Mama flout Papa in that matter too?
Victor’s feature’s tightened.
“You are not the cause of your father’s dilemma. The reverend’s done something, likely criminal, and Leadford knows what it is.” Condemnation tightened his features, and his voice took on the harsh note she’d come to recognize as a sign of controlled ire. “Your father has only himself to blame, and it’s cruel to keep you from seeing Althea. Where’s the forgiveness he preaches from his pulpit?”
“Everything you say is true, but he’s still my father, Victor, and I love him despite his faults. Surely you can understand that after your father—.”
“I know, and I do understand.” He kissed her forehead and breathed out a deep sigh. “Fine. We don’t elope, but will you marry me, Thea? And trust me to help your father?”
“I want to say yes, Victor. I truly do.” She dropped her gaze as a blush heated her cheeks. “I’ve dreamed of becoming your wife for a very long time.”
There, she’d said it.
Given him a hint as to her feelings. A union between them might be a marriage of convenience for him, but for her it would be a love match.
“You have? Truly?”
The hot, hungry gleam in his steel grey eyes nearly unhinged her knees. He captured her mouth in another sizzling kiss, and several blissful moments passed before he reluctantly lifted his lips.
“I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to know you’ve thought about becoming my wife. I didn’t want a cold, affectionless union, but feared I’d have to settle for one. I know we can be very happy together.”
For the first time, she allowed the love she’d kept hidden to show in the adoring gaze she lifted to him. He hadn’t said he loved her, but his joy at her declaration surely meant he also had feelings for her, didn’t it?
“Then yes, I shall marry you.”
He cupped the back of her head with his strong hand, tenderness softening his features. “We must wed by August sixteenth or all of my unentailed properties and monies are awarded to my cousin. My mother would have to vacate Ridgewood Court, and I shan’t let that happen.”
Victor had to marry to keep from being disinherited?
Her earlier euphoria melted away.
There was nothing chivalrous or gallant about that.
She’d known from the beginning that he must wed swiftly. He was a far better choice than Mr. Leadford, and she’d be an idealistic ninnyhammer to reject his offer—even if she was simply a means to an end for him.
“August sixteenth? But . . . that’s only a few weeks away.”
“It is, and I shall be married by then.”
A moment ago, Theadosia’s heart had been so full she almost wept, and now she wanted to sob from heartbreak. She leaned away from his forceful embrace, dreading his answer, but she must have the truth.
“Are you saying if this business with my father isn’t settled in a month, and I cannot marry you yet, you’ll wed another?”
His expression grim, Victor nodded.
“I don’t wish that, but I am honor-bound to protect my mother even as you must protect your father.” Even to his own ears, it sounded weak and unconvincing.
She edged away, her heart fracturing more with each retreating step.
“You’re marrying to retain wealth and property and to keep your mother in her opulent mansion. I’m being forced to wed a reprobate to keep my father out of prison and to prevent my mother and sister from becoming homeless.”
She shook her head, a tear trailing down her cheek.
“They are not the same things at all, Victor. I was a naive fool to think I was anything other than a convenient means to an end for you.”
Her heart heavier than it had been when she left the parsonage that morning, Theadosia sighed as she pushed open the kitchen door. The scent of fresh-baked bread, and what smelled like a beef roast filled the warm room. She hadn’t eaten today, and normally the scrumptious smells would have sent her in search of a biscuit or two.
Not after her heartbreaking departure from Victor.
He hadn’t denied her accusation. He’d just stood there, his handsome face hard and uncompromising, as she walked away, each step rendering another crack in her heart.
Though he professed to want to marry her, he’d marry another to keep his money and property and to protect his mother.
The duchess didn’t face imprisonment or hanging. She might have to live in a different mansion. So blasted what? She’d still live a pampered, privileged life.
Reason whispered the hard, inescapable truth.
Victor couldn’t be expected to wait and sacrifice his inheritance or his mother’s home on the chance Theadosia escaped the fate her father had orchestrated for her.
He’d vowed he’d do everything within his power to uncover the truth.
But how long would that take?
Weeks?
Months?
She didn’t have the latter.
To lose Victor before he was even hers ripped her heart ragged about the edges.
After setting the basket atop the worktable, she pushed the loose curls off her forehead and headed toward the bedchamber she shared with Jessica.
She wanted to think, and she urgently needed to speak with James. He must be told what had happened.
Had Mr. Leadford already tattled to her father as he’d threatened?
Would Papa truly lock her in her room?
Yes. He had Althea.
Theadosia’s situation was impossible. No matter what she decided, she’d hurt someone she loved. She’d have to choose the lesser of two evils, and either would leave scars and a broken heart.
Protect my mother even as you must protect your father.
Victor’s words played through her mind once more, all but ripping her aching heart from her chest.
As she neared the staircase, Mama’s angry voice carried down the corridor.
“You’ve gone too far this time, Oscar. I didn’t agree when you banished Althea, and I surely shan’t stand by and watch you force Theadosia into a marriage with a despicable man I cannot abide.”
Theadosia crept down the corridor on tip-toes, mindful to avoid the squeaky floorboards. As she reached the drawing room, Jessica edged from the adjacent doorway, a finger to her lips.
She silently urged Theadosia inside the study.
“They’ve been arguing almost since you left,” Jessica whispered in her ear.
“Has Mr. Leadford returned?”
Jessica shook her head, the blond curls framing her face bouncing.
“No, but that’s the reason I’m hiding in here. If he comes back, I want to make sure he doesn’t eavesdrop.” Color swept up her cheeks. “I know I am guilty of the doing same, but I’m doing so because I want to help. He’d only use whatever he hears for his own gain.”
No small truth there.
Tears filled Jessica’s eyes. “Lord, I cannot abide the man, and I cannot bear the idea that you might have to wed him. He’s a disgusting pig.”
Wrapping an arm around her sister’s waist, Theadosia gave her a hug. “I’m going into the drawing room. Mama and Papa are discussing my future. Yours too. I cannot stand idly by and not voice my opinion. Besides, I saw Leadford a bit ago, and he threatened me and Papa.”
Jessica’s pretty eyes widened, and her jaw sagged. “I knew he was evil.”
“You have no idea just how much so.” Theadosia shuddered in remembrance.
Best not to mention Victor had also been there or his proposal. Theadosia knew what her sweet sister would say about that.
A horrible thought struck her, stealing her breath.
If she married Victor, might Leadford turn his vulgar attention to Jessica?
Another reason she could not marry Victor straightaway.
“I’m taking our da
ughters, and we’re going to live with James until you come to your senses.” Mama’s voice broke. “Wasn’t losing one daughter enough, Oscar? I cannot lose another.”
Didn’t Mama know James let lodgings at the Albany? He didn’t have room for them, and Theadosia didn’t think women were permitted to reside there either.
“I’m coming with you,” Jessica said, with a determined tilt of her small chin.
Theadosia grasped her hand, and mouth flattened into a firm line, entered the room.
“You cannot leave with Theadosia, Marianne. It’s impossible.”
Father sank into a chair, and raising a shaking hand to his ashen face, knuckled away a tear.
“Why not, Papa? Why have you promised me to Mr. Leadford when you know I detest him?”
Theadosia, holding Jessica’s hand, hovered at the entrance.
Startled, he glanced up for an instant, then dropped his gaze to his lap and said nothing.
When had he become a coward?
Face taut, Mama also looked toward the doorway. She motioned to the faded settee before the window. “You might as well come in since this involves you both.”
Though Theadosia felt a degree of compassion for her father, he’d put her in a horrible predicament. He must own his wrongdoing and acknowledge his selfishness.
After taking a seat, she met his doleful gaze straight on. “Mr. Leadford says if I don’t marry him, you will go to prison. You might even hang.”
“God above, Oscar, what have you done?” Mama, asked, her voice breaking again. Pale as her lace fichu, she stiffly lowered herself to a chair. Pressing an unsteady palm to her chest, she swallowed.
Jessica squeezed Theadosia’s fingers as Papa stared out the window, his face creased and haggard.
“I thought that if I provided Theadosia and Jessica with some of the luxuries young women like, they mightn’t be tempted to sin as Althea was.” He slid them a repentant look.
Hence the new gowns and fripperies.
“I understand it’s hard being a rector’s wife and children,” he murmured, his voice so low, Theadosia had to strain to hear him. “I also know that I give our food and other belongings, even money, to the poor to such an extent that we must economize. We must go without and live a simple, frugal life. But I also realize women want pretty things, and the girls were getting of an age, I feared they’d look for the wrong type of young man, as Althea did.”
Her father’s generosity had been out of character, but Theadosia hadn’t questioned where he’d acquired the funds for their new garments, bonnets, and shoes these past few months. She’d assumed he’d received an increase in wages.
“We mightn’t wear the first stare of fashion or eat delicacies, but we’ve always had enough. So what exactly are you saying, Oscar?”
Mama wasn’t letting him transfer the blame to them.
Head lowered, he covered his eyes with his fingertips.
“I’ve been borrowing from the tithes and organ fund, and also keeping monies I said were sent to the Diocese,” he admitted, still not meeting their gazes. “It’s been six months since Benedict left, and I didn’t think Leadford would notice the small discrepancies in the account ledgers. I swear I meant to pay back every penny.”
So livid, her red hair almost crackled with her ire, Mama narrowed her eyes. “You’ve been gambling again too, haven’t you? Just like before we moved here.”
Papa’s chin sank to his chest, and his shoulders slumped. “Yes.”
Mama’s lips trembled, and she shook her head. “You swore to me, Oscar. On the Bible. You vowed you’d never touch dice again.”
Theadosia exchanged a dumbfounded glance with Jessica. Papa a gambler?
“How much, Oscar?” Mama demanded. “How much have you stolen?”
“Leadford says it’s almost five hundred pounds.”
Five hundred? It might as well be five thousand.
Jessica gasped, and Mama collapsed against her chair.
“I don’t remember taking that much.” Papa had never been very good at bookkeeping or figures, something he readily admitted to. “I have repaid a little from my wages.”
James strode into the drawing room, his expression fierce.
“Did I hear correctly? You’ve been embezzling Church funds and gambling? To the tune of five hundred pounds?” He made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat and whirled away from Papa. Plowing a hand through his hair, he spun back to face him again.
“My God, Father. Do you have any idea how harsh the courts are on men of the cloth?” James threw his hands in the air. “Men who preach righteousness and honesty and then betray the Church’s and their parish’s trust?”
Theadosia rubbed her temple. This was much more awful than she’d imagined.
“You realize Leadford won’t stop at marrying me, don’t you? You’ll be under his thumb, groveling about whenever he decides he wants something more. You’ve ruined us, Papa. How will we ever be free of him?”
Her father raised his eyes, his harrowed expression fraught with shame. He glanced first at Mama’s stricken face, then at Jessica, and lastly at Theadosia.
“Forgive me, my dears.” Moisture shimmered in his eyes. “It’s even worse than that, I’m afraid.”
“How could it possibly be worse?” Disbelief strangling his voice, James plopped onto the settee’s arm.
“Leadford claims since the women used the stolen monies to buy gowns and fallalls, they are accessories to the crime.” Entreaty in his gaze, Papa shrank into his chair. “If we don’t do exactly as he demands, he vows to send your mother and sisters to prison too.”
Two mornings later, after a pair of sleepless nights reliving Thea’s last heart-wrenching words, Victor once again rapped on the doorframe outside the solarium’s open door.
“Mother, a word if you’ve a moment.”
She set aside her correspondence and, removing her spectacles, smiled warmly.
“Dearest, forgive me for saying so, but you look exhausted. Didn’t you sleep well again last night?” She picked up the bell atop her petite writing desk. “Shall I ring Grover for coffee?”
“No, I’ve already had three cups, thick and black enough to tar a roof.” He bent and kissed her upturned cheek. “I spent the night pacing my bedchamber, and I’ve come to a most difficult decision.”
“Have a seat and tell me what has you so disgruntled. Has it to do with Theadosia?”
He gave her a sharp look.
How did she know?
“Don’t look so taken aback, darling.” She gave him one of her motherly smiles; the one that said she knew something he didn’t think she did. “I saw how you gazed at her the other night. But there were also other hints as to your feelings.”
“What hints? I’ve been most inconspicuous.” Had even lied to himself about his motives and actions.
She held up her hand, fingers extended and ticked them off one by one.
“You impulsively invited the Brentwoods to dinner—you are never impulsive, dear.” Thumb. “You asked that I be sure to invite them to the ball.” Forefinger. “You asked me to make certain they would attend too. You also suggested I ask Theadosia to help me with the planning. You disappeared almost every day at the same time and were seen with her near Bower Pool.”
Middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, one right after the other.
She elevated a fine eyebrow. “The Walter boys’ mother is sister to our larder maid.”
Ah, the rascals had tattled to their mother.
His mother touched her other thumb with her pointer finger. “And from God knows where, you procured a case of oranges for marmalade.”
She wiggled the beringed digits in front of his face. “You are clearly besotted, and I couldn’t be happier for you. Especially since Theadosia obviously returns your affection.”
He shook his head and chuckled. Did nothing escape his mother?
“I love her. I think I loved her before I left three years ago
but didn’t recognize that’s what I felt.”
“So why the glum face? You have your bride.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “Should we make an announcement at the ball?”
“It’s not that simple.” He took a seat beside her, and as succinctly as possible, explained all.
“I knew there was something unsavory about that troll of a man.” Lips pursed, she wrinkled her nose. “And to think he sat at my table. I shall instruct Grover to throw out the serviette he used.”
How the butler was to tell the difference between that particular serviette and the other twenty or thirty, Victor couldn’t imagine.
“I shall find a way to deal with Leadford,” he said, “but I’m concerned about what this means for you.”
She took his hand between hers.
“Victor, listen to me. I can make my home anywhere, as long as my children and grandchildren visit me often. Ridgewood is only a building. Yes, there are lots of wonderful memories here, but you love Theadosia. You must do everything to make her your duchess. If that means your birthday comes and goes and you are not wed, then so what? Jeffery will gain a fortune and several holdings. He’ll be ecstatic. I never held with that addendum to the will anyway.”
Was there ever a more wonderful mother?
“There will likely be a scandal, Mother. Scads of gossip and tattle-mongering when everything comes out. Rest assured, there will be those who say I’ve married beneath myself.”
“Oh, pish posh. That always makes the romance more exciting. Why, I called off my betrothal to a Russian prince to marry your father. Cousin Cora was only too happy to take my place.”
“Do tell. A Russian prince? I might’ve been a prince rather than a mere duke?”
“Constantine never stood a chance. He didn’t hold a candle to your father’s wicked good looks.” She leaned forward and kissed Victor’s cheek. “Now go be a hero. Women adore men coming to their rescue, but do let her think she helped too.” She winked. “Now go, do whatever you must to save our dear Thea.”
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