Theodora

by Christina McKnight

  “Not many are informed we are in London. Who is calling on you?”

  And why hadn’t he been informed there was a visitor in his home? It was not only his aging parents but also his servants who’d taken a liking to his younger siblings, often doing their bidding without realizing it.

  “It is only Theo, Alistair.” She said the name as if it should be familiar to him. Only Theo?

  He wanted to demand she tell him who the bloody hell Theo was and what the man was doing calling on his sister without properly introducing himself to Adeline’s eldest brother before requesting an audience with her. True, their parents were still responsible for the lot of them; however, as the eldest male in good health, it fell on Alistair to keep his siblings safe.

  And he could not do that if unfamiliar men were coming and going right under his nose.

  Instead of ripping the door off its hinges and confronting the man who dared enter his home without an invitation, Alistair took a deep breath. Far different from the deep breath he’d taken earlier in his study as he’d allowed the pressure of his responsibility to settle. No, this deep breath was giving him time to gather his words to use as his weapon instead of his fists.

  Many—especially his female siblings—called him domineering and imperious when it came to his family. But his father had trusted him to lead well in the viscount’s stead, and no matter the difficulty of the task, Alistair would do exactly that.

  Adeline looked at him as if he’d grown a second head with five eyes. “Are you experiencing a decrease in memory, dear brother?”

  His temper rose at Adeline’s reference to their father’s diminished mental capacity, and his sister knew she’d gotten to him. She was most successful at finding every little thing that irritated him and drawing his annoyance out. And since her return from boarding school, he’d realized she hadn’t changed. Not even the smallest bit.

  The viscountess, Lady Melton, had hoped that separating the two siblings would ease their lifelong discontent and competitiveness with one another, but while Alistair had been made to mature far quicker than most, his sister was still the hellion she’d been since birth.

  “I assure you, I am in full capacity of my senses, Miss Adeline,” he spoke the words slowly, pronouncing each as if she were the one who was struggling to grasp his meaning. “Why do you not introduce me to your friend, Theo?”

  Maybe he was the boon Alistair had been praying for—a man to take his wayward sibling off his hands before the season had even begun. Alistair’s only regret was that he’d paid the modiste’s note the day before. He need push this Theo to announce his courtship quickly and have the betrothal papers drafted as soon as the man hinted at the possibility—before he discovered that Adeline was not the demure miss he assumed her to be, but a sharp-tongued, quick-witted, infuriating debutante who knew exactly how alluring her blonde hair, fair skin, and pale blue eyes were.

  Adeline made no move to join her guest, most likely suspecting her brother had some plan contrived—and she would be correct.

  “Come, dear sister,” he hissed. “Let us not keep our visitor waiting.”

  “But—“

  “Do you not want me to greet our guest?” he asked. This Theo gentleman must be highly unsuitable if Adeline were working this hard to keep Alistair from entering the room. Again, he searched his memory for any mention of a Theo—or, more likely, Theodore—who’d made his acquaintance. There was that elderly earl, Lord Bays. His given name was Theodore if Alistair weren’t mistaken, but he was far too old for his sister’s liking and, he gulped, wedded going on three decades. Certainly, Adeline hadn’t lowered herself to consorting with men who were spoken for. “Allow me to open the door.”

  Adeline scrutinized him before shrugging. “Very well, let us greet our guest. Do not embarrass me before my friend.”

  “Embarrass you?” Alistair asked, stunned. “Why ever would you think I would do something so juvenile?”

  “You have been known to make me look awful and think it is comical.” She released the knob and crossed her arms. “Or need I remind you of how cruel you and Abel have been to me?”

  “Must I remind you what a nuisance you were as a child?” he retorted. This was the way of things for them: bickering, bantering, and arguing—with no end in sight. “You would follow Abel and me around constantly. It was improper for a young girl of quality.”

  “You lost me in the woods!” she shrieked. “I was only ten, and the sun was setting.”

  “But you never followed us outdoors again, did you?”

  “Humpf.” She tapped her foot, waiting for him to agree that he would not mortify her. When he made no move to agree to her request, she continued, “And the pie?”

  Alistair couldn’t help but chuckle at the reminder. “The pie dropping over the railing from the landing above the main hall was Abel, and you very well know that. We could not have known you’d be walking below at that precise moment.”

  “My new frock was ruined from the berry juices.”

  “Again, that was many years ago, Adeline,” he said. “I have grown—matured—as I hope you did as well during your time away at school. Now, please allow me to escort you to greet this Theo gentleman.”

  A smirk landed on Adeline’s face, and her brow rose. “Of course, dear brother. Let us join our guest.”

  He set his hand on her arm to halt her before she entered the room. “Do not think I take kindly to men calling on my sister without my express permission. This will not go unmentioned.”

  “Oh, I certainly hope you do reprimand Theo.” Adeline giggled, a sound Alistair hadn’t heard in many years. Actually, he hadn’t heard it since she’d slipped a dozen pond frogs into his trunk before he’d left for Eton. The carriage had been made to stop only two hours’ journey from their country estate to free the trapped creatures; however, they’d already done the intended damage to his entire wardrobe, and Alistair had spent an entire week wearing the same set of clothes until new ones could be sent. “It is only what is deserved.”

  Alistair had had enough of his sister’s irksome banter, so he stepped around her, pushing the door wide. “After you.” Alistair bowed mockingly as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and preceded him into the room.

  Entering, he immediately scanned the room looking for the man who dared enter his home with no regard for proper etiquette, putting his sister’s reputation in question before her first season was underway.

  “I do not appreciate hearing that someone dares cross the threshold of my home without suitable cause to do so.” Alistair’s voice thundered through the small receiving room. He wanted the man to be aware his actions were not agreeable to Alistair—Adeline’s guardian while in London. “You are certainly fortunate I am in residence to rectify the situation.”

  He paused, glancing around the room for his intended target, but no man stood by the open hearth, nor by the windows, their drapes held back with a simple tie to allow the warm sunlight in.

  A small gasp brought his attention to the delicate sofa his mother favored when in London.

  “Lady Theodora Montgomery,” Adeline said, rushing to stand before the sofa. “I have missed you ever so much. I am happy to see you have arrived safely in London.”

  After bending down to give the woman a quick hug, Adeline cast a smirk in her brother’s direction—knowing she’d successfully redirected the embarrassment to him. “I do apologize for my brother’s abominable greeting.”

  The woman’s eyes were rounded with fright at his callous tirade as she stood abruptly, ready to flee.

  “As you can see, he is as dreadful as I’ve told you all these years,” Adeline confessed, squeezing Lady Theodora’s hands before turning to Alistair. “Have you terrified my dear friend enough for one day, brother?”

  The poor woman was so startled she hadn’t managed a single word in greeting—Alistair regretted any alarm he’d caused her; however, she must understand Adeline had misled him. She was certainly a g
ently bred woman, unlike his hoyden lot of sisters.

  “Lady Theodora,” Alistair started, attempting to mend the dismal situation. “I am Mr. Alistair Price, Adeline’s eldest brother—and I assure you, I am not the horrid man my sister claims.”

  The woman looked wholly unconvinced by his proclamation, but offered her own greeting nonetheless. “It is nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Price, but please refrain from dropping a pie on my head while I’m in your home. I fear my mother would be quite vexed if I ruined my new gown.”

  Alistair took a step back at her brazen comment as his sister doubled over in laughter.

  “My dear, Theo,” Adeline said, a giggle on the fringes of her words, “I have missed you so.”

  Why did he feel as if he’d walked into a trap set up by his most cunning sister?

  Chapter 2

  Theo stifled the urge to glance over Adeline’s shoulder and take in the fearsome man she’d heard stories of for the last six years. He was the epitome of everything his sister had said of him…and so much more. His fair hair and glaring blue eyes matched his sister’s, but that was where the similarity ended, at least for Theo. Alistair was tall, far taller than anyone in her family, and his skin had seen much sun—unlike Adeline’s delicate features. Many would not believe Theo’s friend spent many hours a week outdoors honing her skill with a bow.

  But this man, he smelled of adventures far grander than those Theo and her friends were determined to have in London. His shoulders and back held a rigid, mature pose one attained from years of hard work—and a bit of arrogance.

  “It is very nice to meet a friend my sister met while at Miss Emmeline’s School.” He took the chair across from the lounge Theo had sat upon before they entered and nodded for her and Adeline to sit. He bent his large frame to occupy the chair so glaringly designed for a woman—and not a full-size man. She and Adeline followed his lead, with her regaining her position on the sofa and Adeline next to her. “How did you find your experience away at school?”

  The man’s quick temperament change confused Theo as he likely expected and intended. Mr. Price had entered the room, furious, with a tirade meant for his target. Then she’d seen a hint of remorse from the man, which then quickly turned to unmerciful teasing of his sister—and lastly, Theo had seen his shock at her words. It was as if he sought to keep both Adeline and her off guard and on the defensive while in his company. But not Theo, no, she conversed with great intellects and free thinkers—such as her older brother and his dear wife, Jude—therefore, a bit of sarcasm wasn’t enough to tie her tongue.

  “The instructors were adequate, the library extensive, and the weather in Canterbury was as expected.” Theo folded her hands primly in her lap and crossed her legs at her ankles as she had been taught by both her mother and also, later, in her class on decorum. “The accommodations were rather more than I’d expected from a boarding school, though they are in need of some repairs after these many years and so many students. Our tuition is being spent on learning aids and not on basic grounds upkeep and maintenance. It is something I brought to Headmistress’s attention before departing. I certainly hope a means for rectifying the situation is found.”

  Theo kept her gaze solidly on Adeline’s brother, refusing to share a conspiratorial glance with her friend.

  She’d thrown him off with her candid response to his question. He’d likely thought her addle-minded and uninterested in what actually went into making an education a successful one.

  “That is very good to hear, Lady Theodora,” he replied. “And how would you go about rectifying the lack of upkeep for Miss Emmeline’s School?”

  Theo had the sense he was toying with her once again, to gauge her true understanding of estate management—and likely, her knowledge of business ventures and such. Thankfully, she’d taken great care to study this exact question, and was why she and her dear friends—Josephine, Georgina, and Adeline—had a plan. “It is quite simple, really.”

  “Oh, do tell.” He leaned forward a bit. Theo feared the chair would collapse under his weight, spilling him to the ground.

  “I have not all the answers, but I believe it is within Headmistress’s right to request donations and sponsorships from successful women who’ve attended her school in the last fifteen years.”

  “And how does one define ‘successful’ for women who are meant to parade before society to make the most favorable match possible?” he inquired. “A rich husband? An extensive dowry?”

  She hadn’t come to debate the merits of educated women, nor droll on and on about the high demands of a prejudicial society. “There are many more things to consider than the advantageous marriage of a woman. For example, Lady Evangeline, now the Marchioness of Dovenshire, is currently working in the sciences and has made great strides in the study of the human brain.”

  “I was unaware she attended Miss Emmeline’s.” He tapped his forefinger to his chin in thought. “Adeline, were you aware that Lady Evangeline—a marchioness, nonetheless—attended your alma mater?”

  At her friend’s perplexed expression, Theo continued, “Yes, she graduated over a decade ago.” Theo wasn’t certain what shocked her more, Alistair’s lack of knowledge about the high quality of women attending Miss Emmeline’s, or the startling fact that he knew of the marchioness and her work. “She is a very kind woman. And I think upstanding members of the ton would be more than willing to give back to such a magnificent school.”

  “Your family must be extremely proud of your dedication to your academic success, Lady Theodora,” he said, turning to Adeline. “I am looking forward to seeing such accomplishments present themselves as my dear sister adjusts to town life.”

  Adeline glared at Alistair, the unveiled criticism of her sibling having obviously disconcerted her. It was something Theo had never dealt with in her home—at least not directed toward her. Cart was overly supportive of any endeavor Theo undertook, encouraging his only sibling to strive for as much knowledge as possible.

  “Alistair,” Adeline huffed. “Can we not speak of something else?”

  Theo was in agreement—she and her dear friends had concocted a plan to help Miss Emmeline’s School with the much-needed building repairs, but to do that, Theo did not need attention drawn to herself.

  “Certainly.” Alistair sat back, the chair giving a loud protest at the shift in weight. “Tell me, Lady Theodora, do I know your family?”

  It was a harmless enough question. “My brother is Simon Montgomery, Lord Cartwright.”

  She watched Alistair closely to see if he recognized her family name. It had been years since her family was left destitute by her rascal of an uncle, and Cart had worked tirelessly to restore their family name and increase their coffers. Yet, many in London were still hesitant to associate with anyone holding the Montgomery name—much to her mother’s displeasure.

  “It does sound familiar, but where have I heard it before?” Theo remained silent as Mr. Price continued to ponder the name. A smile lit his face as something dawned on him. “Yes, I know. My brother, Abel, fancies himself a position at the museum one day. Your brother, he is the curator, am I correct?”

  “Almost correct,” Theo said, unsure if Mr. Price was in favor of gentlemen earning a wage much like a commoner. “He is the acting curator while his dear friend is away in Scotland in search of a long fabled church made entirely of gold. Normally, he is in charge of new acquisitions—and donations from private citizens to the museum’s collections.”

  “And likely where you garnered your vast knowledge of contributions, am I correct?”

  “Just so, Mr. Price.” Theo had come to Adeline’s with a purpose, a reason better left unmentioned before her friend’s brother. She gave Adeline a soft nudge with her elbow. “In any case, it is certainly lovely to have Miss Adeline so close, though we are not blessed to share lodging anymore. It is odd to have a room to myself again, the nights are overly quiet and the mornings subdued. I find myself wandering my townhouse
halls—boredom barely kept at bay.”

  “I would not know that feeling,” Adeline said. “I am now required to share a room with Amelia and listen to my other siblings bickering all day and long into the night.”

  “We are a large family, Adeline,” he chastised his sister. “Many feel blessed to have a roof that doesn’t leak and food that isn’t moldy.” He stood abruptly and gave the women a curt bow. “It was lovely to meet a friend of Adeline’s. Now, I will allow you time to visit.”

  “Dear brother,” Adeline called as he strode toward the door. He paused and turned back toward the women, his eyes landing on Theo briefly before moving to his sister. “Lady Theo is having a garden picnic at her home tomorrow. If it suits, may I attend?”

  The puzzled look on Mr. Price’s face said Adeline was not one to ask permission before doing something, but more of the type to beg forgiveness after the deed is complete. “And who will be attending?”

  He directed the question to Theo, not his sister. It took a moment for Theo to respond, as she was unaware of a garden picnic at her home on the morrow—and certainly, she was unsure whether her townhouse even had a garden as she and her brother favored the study and the library far more than the outdoors. “Oh, it will be my sister-in-law, Lady Cartwright.” She searched her mind, unsure who else Adeline wished to be in attendance. It needed to be simple, not too many people who could dispute their claim at a later time. “And Lady Georgina and Lady Josephine. I believe that is all. My mother has other obligations and will not be joining us.”

  Mr. Price looked between the pair. It was a simple request, a quite proper outing with a chaperone in good standing to watch over them.

  “Georgie will come round to collect me and bring me back after,” Adeline rushed. “Or, you may bring me to Mayfair. Mayhap you would enjoy attending with me?”

  The last place Theo could picture Mr. Price was sitting upon a blanket-covered lawn, eating tarts and tiny sandwiches, speaking of fashion and suitable hats for the season to come. At least that was what Theo imagined women at picnics spoke of, not that she’d been to one since she was a very young girl.