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Were you intending to marry me off?

But the words remained echoing in her mind. If she voiced the words, then she might make them real, and this would all be over. She just was not ready for that yet.

Chapter Twelve

Though Theo smiled warmly at Mr. Barton, it was difficult to contain how anxious he felt about this meeting. There was no doubting that he had fulfilled his task, but what of his siblings? The future of this very house that Lucy loved depended on it. Would he be able to protect it for her?

Mr. Barton and his nephew sat opposite him in the study. Theo followed suit and forced himself to unfurl his fists.

“It is a pleasure to see you, Mr. Barton.” He forced a smile that no doubt looked strained.

“As it is to see you, my lord.” Mr. Barton pulled out a letter and handed it over to Theo. Theo frowned at the seal, recognizing it as his grandfather’s.

“Please do not tell me there is another task,” he groaned.

Mr. Barton shook his head with a grin. “You have remained at the house for two months. And I can see that preparations for a ball are well underway. As per your grandfather’s instructions, your task is complete.”

“And the other’s tasks?”

The lawyer gave a strained smile. “Lady Minerva has completed her task. She successfully returned from Scotland with a note from your grandfather.”

Theo opened his mouth then closed it. “A note?” he echoed.

“Indeed.”

Theo looked between his lawyer and the nephew. The young man glanced away.

“Minerva went all the way to Scotland for a mere letter?”

Mr. Barton lifted his shoulders. “You knew as much as I did, my lord. But…there…has been a minor development with regards to lady Minerva.”

“A development?”

“I met with her upon her return, but it seems that she has, well, gone back to Scotland.”

Theo pressed fingers to his forehead. “Why the devil would Minerva go back to Scotland? Did my grandfather set another task?”

“I believe it was of her own accord,” Mr. Barton explained, a strange edge to his voice.

Theo blinked several times. It was hard to imagine Minerva even going to Scotland let alone choosing to do it again so soon. Something had to be wrong. “You can tell me nothing as to why?”

“I am afraid not, my lord,” the lawyer replied.

“I had better return to London and speak with my mother about this.”

Mr. Barton nodded, his posture softening slightly. “That seems like an excellent idea, my lord.”

If Mr. Barton did not object, then he really had to get down to London quickly. It would not take him long by carriage if he left as soon as this meeting was over.

“And what of Seth and Angel?”

Mr. Andrews leaned forward. “I shall be travelling down to speak with Mrs. Stone to check that Angel fulfilled all of her duties. As soon as we have finished here.”

Theo tightened his fists again. “So, we do not know if she has fulfilled hers yet?”

Mr. Barton offered a smile. “She was doing very well with her duties the last time we spoke. I have every hope she has fulfilled her task.”

“And Seth?”