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She glanced at the floor then back up at him. “You invited them here?”

He nodded. “Just because I am returned it does not mean you need not enjoy yourself. Besides, it is about time you took a break from your preparations for the ball.”

Her mouth quirked. At least he knew he had been correct—Lucy had stopped having her friends around once he arrived. He rather regretted it had taken him so long to realize what she was giving up in order to have him here. But hopefully, this small gesture would help her realize that he was not a complete tyrant.

Why he needed her to grasp that, he did not want to think about too much.

He dipped his head to the three women and backed out of the door. “I shall leave you to it.”

Lucy turned on her heel. “Oh no, you can stay. Please.”

Theo shook his head. Even if he wanted to stay, he would not invade her small moment of pleasure for anything. Lucy deserved all the happiness in the world, and if he could do something to make sure that happened, he would do it. For a woman who had been orphaned so young, she was such a strong, vivacious character.

He shook his head to himself as he strode to the study. Somehow, Lucy had never let the things that had happened to her taint her view on life. Unlike him. Who would have thought a man of his age could learn something from a nineteen-year-old?

He sank onto the chair and flicked through his diary. Two more weeks left, and he would be free. Two more weeks, and there would be no more Lucy in his life.

Of course, he would visit more often, and he would ensure she had everything she needed for an excellent future. They had yet to discuss what that excellent future involved. Surely, she would want to come to London at some point? Perhaps meet a young man and fall in love. He pressed a fist to his gut and willed away the tension there.

Regardless, he would do whatever was needed to make up for his years of neglect.

The occasional chime of laughter reached him in the study when Barnes brought him afternoon tea. Theo smiled to himself.

The usually expressionless butler also smiled. “It is nice to hear laughter here, is it not, my lord?”

“Indeed.”

“Miss Jameson seems to have quite a knack for making friends,” Barnes commented. “The right sort, of course.”

Theo fixed his attention on the letters in front of him. But what Barnes was saying, was that Lucy’s friends were utterly unlike that of Julia’s. The butler had, unfortunately, been forced to deal with many of the issues involving his late wife. It was a miracle that the man remained in his employment.

Theo pressed the end of his quill to his mouth. “Barnes, do you think Miss Jameson is happy here?”

“Most certainly. She loves this house, my lord.”

“But do you not think a young lady such as herself should be experiencing more of the world?”

“You are thinking to take her to London, my lord?”

Theo nodded. He could not decide whether his motivations were selfish or not, though. The thought of leaving Lucy behind left him hollow inside. But if he took her to London, he would have to share her with other people. He damn well wished he knew what to do.

“Miss Jameson would no doubt do well in London. I am certain she would be popular with your patronage, my lord.There are few women so lucky as to have such a sponsor.” Barnes finished pouring the tea. “Perhaps you would be better off speaking with her than me, though, my lord.”

Theo grimaced. Barnes was right but talking with Lucy alone always seemed to lead him down the path that he should not go. It should not be hard for him to spend two more weeks without kissing her again, but if he was to make her happy and to make up for his neglect, he could not retreat into avoiding her again.

The answer was simple, really. He simply had to have better control of himself.

“I shall try,” he promised the butler.

“Miss Jameson is one of those sorts of young ladies who knows exactly what she wants. I am certain she will be able to tell you, my lord.”

Chuckling, Theo nodded. “I have no doubt either.”

He finished penning a letter to his mother to check upon the progress of his siblings then blotted it dry. As he was sealing it, the door to his study burst open, and a flurry of pink muslin fluttered across the room and into his arms.

“Ooof.” The chair rocked back as he took the sudden weight of her upon him. His arms latched around her automatically. “Lucy—”

She pressed her lips to his mouth, firmly. There was no escaping her even if he wanted to.