A chance at love (The Winter Sisters Box Set) : Special Edition Regency Romance Page 2

  Although Louisa Cauldon, who was married to a viscount, was as proper a lady as ever there could be, she was always delightfully ready to help Theodora with whatever scheme she came up with, no matter how improper.

  Theodora was quite sure that Louisa would be more than a little helpful, for, at the very least, she would listen to Theodora’s difficulties with sympathy and compassion.

  Alighting from her carriage, she drew in a deep breath, glad for the warm afternoon. Making her way to the front door of the house, she was surprised to see Louisa exit from it, followed closely by her husband, her face a mask of surprise.

  “Oh, my dear Theodora!” she exclaimed, clearly overjoyed to see her friend. “How lovely of you to come calling.”

  “I came to ensure you were recovering,” Theodora replied, ignoring the kick of disappointment in her chest over her unfortunate timing. “I am sorry to intrude without sending a note, I did not know you had recovered sufficiently to leave your sickbed.”

  Louisa smiled, waiting for her husband to greet Theodora before looping her arm through her friend’s.

  “We are just on our way for tea at Billingham Manor,” she replied, beginning to walk towards Theodora’s carriage. “You must come with us, I am quite sure no-one will mind in the least.”

  “Oh, but I could not possibly intrude,” Theodora replied even though her interest was piqued.

  “Lord and Lady Raven have returned from London then?” She had met the two on more than one occasion and had found both to be pleasant company.

  “Yes, they have, and I know Lady Raven would be more than delighted to make your acquaintance again,” Louisa exclaimed. She looked at her friend with a beaming smile, waiting until Theodora succumbed to her insistence and climbed into her carriage.

  “In fact, I shall ride with you, and Lord Couldon shall take our own carriage so that I can be assured that you will not be tempted to turn back from our destination.”

  Theodora had no choice but to agree, for soon her friend was sitting opposite her and the carriage was well on its way.

  “And how are you, Theodora?” Louisa asked as the carriage began to trundle along the road. “Are you quite well?”

  “I am,” Theodora replied smiling. “I was concerned about your illness, but now I see that concern was unwarranted.”

  Louisa’s smile widened.

  “You are the very best of friend Theodora. I had a heavy cold indeed, but I am glad to say that I have recovered now and all is well.” Her smile softened. “I believe that I gave my husband quite a fright.”

  Theodora returned her friend’s smile, pleased that Louisa had found happiness with such a caring man.

  “I am glad to hear it. It is just as it should be.” Unconsciously, she fingered the gold locket around her neck which drew Louisa’s attention.

  “That is quite beautiful,” she commented, making Theodora realise what it was she was doing. “Wherever did you get it?”

  Quickly, Theodora told her friend of her travels to town only yesterday, leaving out the part about the strange beggar outside the trinket shop.

  “And am I to guess that your father was not altogether pleased with your tardy return?”

  Theodora laughed. “Indeed he was not!” Her smile faded, her mirth slowly dimming. “He has refused to allow me to seek out a fencing master.”

  “Oh, Theodora,” Louisa murmured. She knew that it was her friend’s greatest wish. “I am sorry for that.”

  Theodora shook her head and shrugged.

  “Do not fear, Louisa, for I have not given up entirely.”

  Louisa chuckled.

  “No, I did not think that you would, for that would not be like you in the least, Theodora! I shall help you if I can, although I cannot think of any gentlemen of my acquaintance who would be willing to teach such a sport and certainly not to a young lady!”

  “It is difficult,” Theodora sighed, glad to see Billingham Manor appear over the top of the hill. “Ah now, here we are. I do hope Lady Raven does not mind my company.”

  “Not in the least,” Louisa said quickly. “She has not seen you in some time and I am sure she will be delighted that you have come calling.”

  ***

  Billingham Manor was a beautiful estate, and one of the largest in the area. Its beautiful gardens were much spoken of, and Theodora could not help but hope that she would be allowed some time to take in their splendid beauty.

  “Miss Winters!” Lady Raven exclaimed as she descended the carriage. “How wonderful to see you!”

  “I do beg your pardon for the intrusion,” Theodora replied, greeting the hostess. “But Lady Cauldon quite insisted that I come with her.”

  Lady Raven – whose dark hair matched her name – smiled at once, her expression lit with happiness.

  “I am very glad that she did,” she said, squeezing Theodora’s hands before turning to Lord Cauldon, who had only just appeared in his own carriage.

  “How lovely to see you, Lord Cauldon,” she said, smiling. “You will find my husband in the stables, looking over his new horseflesh. I promised I would send you over directly.”

  Lord Cauldon beamed at this opportunity and took his leave almost at once, making Louisa chuckle.

  “I thought we ladies might take tea in the summerhouse,” Lady Raven continued once Lord Cauldon had left. “It is a little less warm now that autumn is soon to be upon us, but it is cosy enough.”

  Theodora, delighted to be allowed to walk in the gardens, took the opportunity at once, falling into step with Louisa and Lady Raven. As they walked, Theodora found that she did not much join in the conversation, discovering that her attention was quite taken up with the many beautiful blooms and delicate fragrances that were all around her.

  Her attention was caught by the rose bushes just to her left, making her pause for a moment.

  “The summerhouse is just this way,” Lady Raven said, seeing where Theodora’s attention had been drawn. “Take whatever time you need, Miss Winters. We shall be just over here whenever you are ready.”

  “I thank you,” Theodora replied quickly. “Your gardens are as beautiful as ever, Lady Raven; the roses are my particular favourite.”

  “Then I shall be glad to indulge you,” Lady Raven replied with a laugh, linking her arm with Louisa.

  “Pray, do not rush on my account.”

  Theodora watched the two ladies walk away for a moment or two before turning her attention back towards the roses. Her mother had always loved the flower. She had visited Lady Raven on a few occasions before now, but the roses had never been in such a bloom before now.

  “We meet again.”

  Theodora had been so lost in rapture over the blossoms that she did not see the figure leaning against the tree next to the rosebushes. As such, his deep voice startled her, and to her shame, a small scream echoed from her throat.

  “I do beg your pardon, miss,” the man said at once, sweeping into a gallant bow. “I had thought that you had spotted me and this was your reason for wandering over.”

  “No, not in the least,” Theodora retorted, ashamed of the heat in her cheeks and the panic in her heart.

  She stared at the gentleman a little more closely, her heart slamming into her chest once more as she realised it was the beggar from the previous afternoon. Except on this occasion, he looked nothing like a poor vagrant. His intricate necktie alone would have rivalled Beau Brummell’s.

  “You do not look as poor as you did yesterday,” she exclaimed, stepping back.

  The gentleman’s chiselled features grew a little uncomfortable. “No, indeed,” he replied, quickly. “I am sorry for the deception.”

  “I gave you my pin money,” she continued accusingly. “I thought you were hungry.”

  “I was,” he replied, stepping closer to her. “Your kindness was very much appreciated.”

  Theodora glared at him, still a little overcome with the shock of seeing him again.

  He was tall, with broad
shoulders and a strong jaw. His eyes were a deep sapphire blue, his sandy brown hair no longer trailing around his face in uncombed waves. He looked quite the gentleman, and Theodora realised she had been quite right in her early suspicion. The beggar had not been a beggar after all.

  “Your name, sir?” she demanded hotly. “If you are not a beggar, then you owe me that at least!”

  He arched an eyebrow and then bowed with a flourish.

  “Mr Weston at your service. And you would be?”

  Lifting her chin a notch, she kept her gaze firm.

  “Miss Theodora Winters. My father is the Viscount of Lockley.”

  “Ah.” His expression cleared, although his eyes did not linger on her for long. “I am truly sorry for the deception, Miss Winters.”

  “Are you not going to explain to me why you did such a thing?” she replied almost incredulously. “It is quite unfair to dupe someone and then never to explain why!”

  Mr Weston shook his head.

  “No, I am not, I'm afraid. Believe me, it is for your own good as much as mine.”

  Resentment rippled through Theodora as she became aware that once more, she was entirely at the mercy of another person’s decision.

  “I would repay your kindness if I could,” he promised, his voice softening. “Your pin money went on a hot meal, which sustained me long enough to bring me here along with travel money.”

  “You are a friend of Lord Raven then?” Theodora asked, an idea slowly forming in her head.

  Mr Weston nodded, absently looking over her shoulder.

  “And I expect you have had some training in fencing?”

  Again, he nodded, although his expression grew a little bewildered as he refocused his attention on her.

  “Very good,” she exclaimed as though the matter was quite settled. “You shall repay my kindness by teaching me how to fence.”

  His mouth dropped open, but she pressed on nonetheless, pretending not to notice his dismay.

  “I have long been seeking a tutor, and it appears you will do quite nicely, especially after my kindness to you, and not to mention the fact that you refuse to tell me of the reasons behind your duplicity.”

  She lifted her chin a notch daring him to disagree.

  When he did not, she smiled and turned on her heel.

  “I shall expect you tomorrow, then,” she said, giving him a brief description of her home and the gardens nearby.

  “There is a small shack near the river to the back of my father’s house,” she said directing him. “I shall be waiting, although it would be best if you brought the rapiers. Good day to you, Mr Weston.”

  “Good day,” Mr Weston murmured, quite stunned by all that had gone on.

  As he watched Miss Theodora Winters take her leave of him, he grew thankful that his own sister was nothing like the lady in question, thinking that she was quite too unorthodox for his liking.

  THREE

  Two Weeks Later

  Theodora wiped the sweat out of her eyes with the back of her hand, and only just in time to see Mr Weston come at her once again. She parried, defending herself, but his strength and skill were too much for her. After another thrust, he gained the final touch and she was forced to, yet again, admit defeat.

  “Do not look so sad,” he exclaimed, throwing his foil down onto the grass. “You have done very well, Miss Winters.”

  Theodora said nothing, but put her foil down next to his and then threw herself back into the mossy grass, allowing her entire body to rest. Her breath came quickly, forcing her to gasp for air as she closed her eyes and let the cool afternoon air take some of the heat from her body. It had been a sennight now since she had begun her lessons with Mr Weston, and things were not going exactly as she had planned. Fencing, it appeared, was a great deal more difficult than it seemed, and she often grew frustrated with herself over her lack of skill.

  “Stop tormenting yourself,” Mr Weston said, rolling onto his side so that he might look at her better. “I can tell from the way you are worrying your lip that you are not best pleased with your progress.”

  Theodora sighed and opened her eyes.

  “Yes, in truth, I am. I wish I was better.”

  “You are doing wonderfully, I assure you,” he protested. “It is not like embroidery or watercolour! It will take time for you to master a man’s tool.”

  “Yes indeed,” Theodora replied, smiling despite herself. “I am quite sure that, despite the fact you have kept your opinion very much to yourself, I am not the kind of lady you would wish others to look up to.”

  He did not reply for a few moments, and as she turned to face him, she saw that he was smiling at her.

  “I did harbour such thoughts in the beginning,” he admitted, his voice soft. “But in recent days, I have been forced to reconsider my opinion.”

  “Oh?”

  His smile widened. “You have tenacity and fortitude,” he replied in answer to her question. “Those characteristics are to be admired.”

  For some reason, his acceptance of her made her smile, although she ignored the way her heart fluttered in her chest for a moment. “You are very kind, Mr Weston,” she murmured, closing her eyes once more. “Although I find it difficult that you keep so much of yourself from the world … and me.”

  It was a peculiar statement but not an unexpected one. Her curiosity over the strange case of Mr Weston had only increased over time. The man was mysterious to say the least. He did not seem keen to allow Theodora to know him at all, not in any way.

  He very rarely spoke of himself or of his family, and she as yet had no understanding of why he had been in the village high-street that day dressed as a beggar. Nor did she know why he was staying with Lord Raven, although he had claimed it was just for a short holiday. She knew nothing of his background, of his parents or his family, and could not even be sure that his name was, in fact, his name!

  She distractedly tucked an errant hair strand behind her ear. He had hidden so much of himself already, it would not be unlikely that he had given her an incorrect name.

  “You are frustrated with me I gather?”

  Theodora, surprised that Mr Weston had surmised as much when she had said very little, simply nodded but did not dare look at him again.

  She was uncomfortably aware that she was being over-familiar.

  “I am sorry that I cannot share my tale with you.”

  “Why can you not?” Theodora asked, sitting up so that she could look at him. “I am not about to tell anyone, am I? You have enough to blackmail me with, regardless!”

  He chuckled, pushing himself up onto his elbows and studying her.

  “We are bound together, you see,” she continued softly. “I shall tell no-one of you, and you shall tell no-one of me.”

  “Because society would look down on you were they to discover that you were secretly meeting a gentleman out on the hillside?” he asked with a slight lift of his eyebrow.

  Theodora blushed at once, knowing exactly what rumours would be spread should anyone discover what she was doing with Mr Weston. Fencing or not, there would be talk of her liaisons, even though nothing of the sort had taken place.

  “You are quite right, however,” Mr Weston murmured, his eyes growing distant as he sat up completely, looking out at the landscape below. “Although at least up here on this hill, we are able to see if anyone comes in search of us. Your Father, I believe, is still unaware?”

  “Of course he is unaware!” Theodora exclaimed with a grimace. “If he were to discover such a thing, I believe he would not be past taking out the cane as he did when I was a child!”

  Notwithstanding what Caroline, Beatrice and Ann will make of this. They will be exceedingly put out by my secrecy.

  She frowned at her own duplicitous action.

  No she could not tell them, not yet.

  There was something about Mr Weston that had her acting completely out of character.

  She bit her lower lip and continued to g
aze at him, under hooded eyelids.

  What secrets lay beneath his gentlemanly veneer?

  “So you see, you have my complete trust, Mr Weston. Now, can you not trust me with your secrets?”

  He sighed as though almost unwilling to speak but knowing he was going to do so regardless.

  “I find that my burden does grow somewhat heavy, and you have proved yourself to be a tenacious confidant,” he murmured, running one hand through his hair and rendering it completely untidy. “In truth, Miss Winters, I am not all that I seem.”

  Theodora held her breath, not wanting to give away even the smallest reaction as she studied him. His eyes, now glittering, fastened onto hers, still considering what he might say to her.

  “I am not Mr Weston. My name is William Sotheby.”

  “Sotheby,” she repeated, wrapping her arms around her knees. “Why must you hide behind a false name?”

  He sighed heavily but did not stop talking.

  “My rank and title aside, until recently I was a mere soldier fighting for the crown.”

  “Oh.” Theodora frowned. He had not given her his title or rank. But it was clear that he apparently had one.

  Why was his reticent to share the full truth?

  “On the battlefield, I was betrayed. It now appears as though I am a traitor to our country, that I killed one of my own men in order to save the life of one of our enemies.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him, the blood draining from her face. To have been involved in such a thing must be terrible indeed, to be betrayed and then called a traitor could only mean one thing.

  “You understand, I see,” he said heavily. “If I did not run, then I would have been shot as a traitor. Brought shame to my family. As such, there is now a price on my head.”

  “Goodness,” Theodora murmured eyes wide. “I can hardly believe it.”

  He did not smile. His eyes held a whisper of sadness.

  “It is true, I assure you. But of late, there has been a development that has put in question the events that occurred on the battlefield.”

  A faint hope began to burn in Theodora’s heart. Although they had only been acquainted for two weeks, she did not wish for any misfortune to befall her tutor.