Lady Man-Eater enjoys a fondness for small children and darling lapdogs
for the first course of a formal meal.
Faithful in our quest for the truth,
The Midnight Cryer
Thea smiled to herself before the full-length mirror. A creature from another world, one who was familiar but at the same time unrecognizable, stared back at her.
The dress and the evening would launch her into London society. She prayed for success as this day brought her one step closer to appearing in front of the committee. A niggle of unease, almost a foreboding wrapped itself around her. She tried to dismiss the thought as nervousness, simply a typical reaction to her new circumstances.
“My lady, you look beautiful,” crooned Nancy. She stood behind Thea and straightened her skirt, adjusting the train that gracefully draped to the floor.
A quick knock at the door signaled that a footman had arrived to escort Thea to the family gathering before dinner. Nancy adjusted the train once more before answering the summons.
Thea forgot to breathe when she first saw Will standing on the other side. Resplendent in a silver-threaded gray waistcoat, black wool evening coat, and matching pantaloons, he reminded her of Hades come to abduct Persephone. Unlike the Greek myth, Thea wouldn’t fight him, but would gladly take his escort anywhere, including the underworld, if it meant she could avoid this dinner.
“Good evening, Nancy.” He turned to Theodora, and a roguish smile tugged at his lips. “And who might this beautiful creature be?”
Nancy dipped a slight curtsey. “Good evening, my lord. Lady Eanruig is a delight, isn’t she?”
“Indeed,” Will answered.
Her eyes locked with his, and time seemed to stop its relentless pace. Everything within her stilled, reminding her that this would be a moment she’d remember for a lifetime. A strange eagerness like a hunger flashed in his eyes. It caused a molten heat to explode in her chest and slowly sink lower into her body. She couldn’t look away nor did she want to. For the first time in her life since her grandfather died, she felt tied to another person.
“Will you be needing anything else, my lady?” Nancy asked. “If not, then I’d best go help Lady Payne.”
The simple question broke the magical moment.
Thea shook her head to clear the remaining wisps of desire that floated around her. “Thank you for everything, Nancy. You’ve worked miracles.”
The lady’s maid blushed. “You’re too modest, my lady. Enjoy your evening.”
Will stepped aside, and Nancy took her leave. Without a word, he held out his arm for Thea to take. Drawn to him like a bee to nectar, she lightly placed her hand upon his forearm. His warmth wound around her and, powerless to resist, she leaned close.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered as his gaze lingered.
“I feel beautiful.”
“Good.” He led her toward the stairs but stopped at a hallway mirror.
His gaze flew to her lips, and his eyes softened with some undefined emotion. Whatever this was that swirled between them, she didn’t want it to stop. If they stayed in this hallway for eternity, Thea would consider it a blessing. Then, the outside world couldn’t intrude, and her disquiet would melt away like winter frost when it’s ravished by the spring sunshine.
“There will be so much interest in you tonight from my family. I wouldn’t be surprised if you run from Langham Hall, vowing never to return.” Will smiled.
She answered his smile with one of her own. “It sounds like heaven to me.”
“Ah well, the Cavenshams’ infamous teasing, cajoling, and merriment make even the bravest tremble. I’ve seen it before with my own eyes.” He held out his arm again. “Shall we go into the lion’s den—I mean, heaven?”
He winked and a new rush of desire hit her square in the middle of her chest. He was charming in his attitude toward his family.
Without another word, he led her down the steps where laughter and murmurs of conversation joined together in some harmonic joie de vivre that invited her forward. The closer they came to the salon where everyone had gathered, Thea found it hard to keep her excitement and frankly, her nerves under control. Her heartbeat accelerated as if rolling nilly-willy down a hill.
They stood outside the entrance, and Will drew her aside. “You have nothing to be afraid of from my family. If I’ve given you cause to be alarmed, I shouldn’t have. They’ll welcome you unconditionally and shower you with kindness.”
“How are you going to introduce me?” Her stomach roiled as visions of The Midnight Cryer’s headlines of “Man-Eater” and “Northumberland Nemesis” taunted her. Seeking comfort, she stroked the cool strand of pearls against her neck. They were her mother’s, and this was the first occasion she’d ever had to wear them.
“As my friend.” He held out his arm. “Are you ready?”
She smiled gently as she wrapped her hand around his arm, then nodded. Together, they walked forward.
Pitts nodded at their entrance and stood aside.
Never before had Thea seen such a gathering. Handsome men and beautiful ladies, all elegantly attired, graced the room. In the center of the gathering, a middle-aged couple held court. When the woman turned to her husband, she placed her hand on his chest and laughed, an act so endearing that Thea had to remember to breathe. The man caught the woman’s hand and held it to his heart. His hearty laugh enveloped the whole room in affection.
“Who’s that couple?” Thea asked.
“My mother and father.”
At the sound of Will’s voice, the woman looked their way. There was little doubt she was Will’s mother, the Duchess of Langham. He’d inherited her smile. Will’s father, the Duke of Langham, followed his wife’s gaze, and the smile that broke across his face was simply stunning. Will had definitely inherited his father’s height and handsomeness.
“William!” His mother made her way toward him with her hands outstretched in welcome. “It’s so good to have you home.”
“Hello, everyone,” Will called out in greeting. “I’d like to introduce Theodora, the Countess of Eanruig. She’s my friend and guest.”
“Friendship is a start.” Stella’s voice rang from behind. “We’re hopeful for more.”
“Cavenshams fall in love thoroughly”—Lady Edith turned to Stella—“and what was the other?”
“Decidedly,” Stella chimed in.
“How could I forget?” Edith chuckled. “We’re certain these two are well on their way. Lovely news, isn’t it?”
At that pronouncement, the duchess’s face fell when she stumbled forward. The duke caught her elbow before she tumbled to the floor.
The entire room fell silent as every head swiveled toward them. This was an examination like no other. If only there was a side door, then Thea could escape and run from the house as Will had predicted she’d want to do. What was she supposed to say to Edith and Stella’s pronouncement? Tell them all that it was a lie and that she’d told Will she wouldn’t marry him?
A beautiful blonde in an emerald green dress dropped her fan at the announcement. “Oh, my word, Will. What have you done?”
A handsome man who resembled Will and the duke had the audacity to laugh. “Emma, I’d say he’s done the unthinkable and has done it remarkably well. The day of reckoning has arrived for our brother. Who is that charming creature beside you?”
“Don’t stand there dawdling, you two,” Stella chided. “Go face the pack of hounds.”
Before his family had noticed their arrival, Will stole a glance at Theodora and had been struck by her expression. It reminded him of a child staring into a candy shop window wishing for the world without a penny in her pocket. Then when his family had turned their attention to them, and Aunt Stella had blurted her hope for their engagement, he’d felt her physically retreat. She had moved away and turned as if deciding to run. Without a second thought, he’d squeezed their fingers together, then tugged her closer to his side.
“What are we going to do?” Thea whispered, her voice laced with panic. “I don’t want to mislead your parents.”
“Leave it to me,” he answered. His stomach dropped as if he’d been thrown from a horse. Stella and Edith had made things more complicated for Thea and for him.
A tumble of confused thoughts and feelings assailed him. It was more than problematic, though. Unintentionally, Thea’s words created a latent ache he thought long since dead. A vulnerability that he despised crept to the surface. Just because another woman had spurned him as a suitable groom had nothing to do with Thea. She’d never been anything but candid with him.
Yet for once, he’d wondered what it must feel like to have a woman look at you as if you were the only man in the universe. At Thea’s folly, he’d thought he’d experienced it. Perchance, he’d foolishly mistaken what he’d seen.
Before he could consider it more, his mother and father reached them. With tears and a joyful smile, his mother took his other hand in hers.
Immediately, he’d leaned over while never breaking contact with Theodora and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Madam, you’re a beautiful sight to behold.”
“Thank you, William. So are you.” Her attention immediately switched to Theodora. “Hello, my dear.”
For a second, Theodora stood frozen, then dipped into the expected curtsey. “Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Will automatically relaxed. With his mother and father smoothing the way, Theodora would soon feel welcome. That was the beauty of his family. They might charm and badger each other, but at the same time, there was never any doubt they loved one another. Deep down, they stood together united in a force that no one could break. It was the Cavensham way.
Will squeezed Theodora’s fingers once last time, then dropped them to shake his father’s hand. “Father, it’s good to see you.”
His father growled in response and ignored William’s hand. Instead, he took Will into his embrace, and when he let go, he clasped Will’s shoulder. “And the same here, son.” His father turned, then blessed Theodora with a smile worthy of a rogue. “Welcome, my dear, to Langham Hall.”
Thea bobbed a hasty curtsey. “The honor is all mine, Your Grace.” Her voice had cracked with nervousness, and it punched Will in the stomach.
Never had a woman’s emotions caused such havoc in him before.
His father tugged his mother into a side embrace. The couple beamed at them.
“Congratulations to you both,” his father said, then smiled. “On your friendship.”
The rumble of amusement in his father’s tone meant only one thing—Stella’s offhanded remarks had awoken his curiosity.
His mother held Thea’s hand, refusing to let it go.
“Hello, my dearest Ginny.” Without waiting for a response, Aunt Stella pecked her niece’s cheek, then crowded next to his father. “Sebastian, Thea is the Countess of Eanruig, an old Scottish title. She lives next door to me at Ladykyrk.”
His father nodded once. “We’re honored you’ll stay with us, Countess.”
“Theirs is a match made in heaven, if they can just see it,” Stella said under her breath. No one else heard it as it was meant for Will’s ears alone.
He wanted to roll his eyes but kept his demeanor cool and calm. He loved Stella dearly, but sometimes her hyperbole became a bit too much.
“Thea and I are friends.” His voice sounded a little too forceful, but he didn’t want Thea any more nervous than she already was.
Aunt Stella smiled, then monopolized his parents, and it didn’t take long until his siblings approached with their spouses. Never shy, his youngest sibling, Emma, beat everyone to the introductions.
Emma held out her hand for Theodora. Once his sister had a firm grasp, she gently tugged Theodora toward her with her green eyes blazing with laughter. “One can never have enough friends. I must share a little secret about Will.” Emma leaned close, and Will leaned along with her. “He’s a scoundrel at times.” Emma winked at Theodora as if sharing the location of the family jewels. “But he’s loving and fiercely loyal. He’ll be a good friend.”
“Emma, don’t,” Will scolded as heat crept up his neck. He turned to Theodora where a smile that reminded him of a sunset slowly spread across her face. “My sister has a weakness for the dramatic. She hasn’t shown it yet, but soon will.”
“Then we shall be fast friends too. I’m sure of it, Lady Somerton,” Thea said.
“Call me Emma. I want you to meet my husband, Nicholas, the Earl of Somerton.”
Somerton swept forward and offered Thea one of his notorious smiles, the kind that had women from the age of one to one hundred and one melting at his feet. Then, the devil sketched a perfect bow. “Lady Eanruig, the pleasure is mine.”
Will chanced a glance at Thea expecting her to become putty in Somerton’s hands. Most woman usually had that response because of his perfect looks and athletic physique, but she just smiled. “Pleased to meet you, Lord Somerton.”
Will’s brother, McCalpin, and his wife, March, waited patiently for their turn to greet Theodora. Emma brought March forward and made the introductions. As the women started to chat, McCalpin bent close to Will. “She’s the one I heard about at White’s. She faces a challenge from Ferr-Colby for the title and entailed properties?”
Will nodded. “It’s a complicated and convoluted story. But I want the family’s assistance to make her feel welcome and help her introduction to society.”
The bland expression on McCalpin’s face was devoid of any empathy. “I take it there was no emergency in Northumberland?”
Will shook his head. “Because of Stella’s summons, I’m behind in my work now more than ever.”
“I know how you hate that,” McCalpin answered. “Don’t worry about my estate books. March finished the accounting for you. But I need you to go to McCalpin Manor soon. I’d like your opinion on something.”
Will lifted an eyebrow.
“The roof. March is concerned that it may need repairs again,” McCalpin said with a half grin, then turned his steady gaze to Thea. “You always were Stella’s favorite. I used to be envious of her regard for you, but now, I’m so thankful you were her chosen one. You deserve special treatment for all you do for this family. I must say the grand dame has done you an amazing favor. Theodora is lovely.”
“Indeed.” Will studied Thea as she spoke with March and Emma. The simple chignon didn’t hide the splendor of Thea’s hair as each strand glowed in the candlelight. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement rather than nervousness. She wasn’t just lovely.
She was beautiful.
Will turned to his brother. “But she’s just a friend.”