Page 10 of A Duchess to Unravel

She had sent out the invitations for tea just an hour ago, and they had all arrived with a haste that was most impressive.

“Of course we came, darling,” Ophelia said softly, her tone not carrying its usual confidence. “We have missed you. Greatly.”

“We truly have,” Seraphina spoke up.

“Very much so,” Amelia agreed.

“Thank you for sending for us,” Rosamund added.

“I have wanted to do so for some time,” Theo told them, “I have been--” she paused. Tristan had urged her to be honest. Something she used to never have trouble with. “Struggling,” she finished.

They all nodded their heads, waiting for her to continue. The trouble was, though, she did not know how to anymore. Her numbness had returned with a vengeance within the night and talking with them, with anyone, now felt so odd.

“Help,” she breathed, feeling panic push into her chest. Tears pricked her eyes at her own helpless tone, and she bowed her head.

At once her friends were out of their seats, their arms all coming around her. Her tears fell faster then, as she felt their loving embrace melt away that layer of numbness, and she leaned into them.

“We have you, darling,” Ophelia stated with her usual confidence. “We will fix this, whatever this is. Will we not, ladies?”

“Certainly so,” Rosamund agreed, placing a kiss atop Theo’s head.

“Right then, if you cannot yet speak, we can at least goad you into fun,” Ophelia went on. “A distraction is what you need, I believe. What say you all?”

“Oh, I know,” Amelia offered, tilting Theo’s chin up so that she’d meet her eyes. “Let us play a trick.”

Through her tears, Theo laughed, and it felt genuine.

“What sort of trick?” She asked.

“On the four devils we hold dear, of course,” Amelia replied, a twinkle of wickedness gleaming in her eye.

“They’re all here attending a meeting with your brother in his office, are they not?”

Theo nodded, relieved none of them were attempting to force her to talk.

“Yes, but they are probably discussing something important,” she replied. “I … I have been a threat to their businesses lately with my carelessness. I am not sure we should interrupt them.”

It was the most Theo had shared with her friends in nearly a year, and though their eyes all gleamed with questions, none of them asked for a further explanation.

“Of course we should,” Ophelia replied, “They take things far too seriously. Let us cause a little chaos and have a giggle.”

“Like what?” Theo asked.

“Something that will disrupt them.” Rosamund offered.

“Something that will force them out of the office,” Seraphina added.

Ophelia snapped her fingers, a smile spreading across her face.

“I think I have it,” she stated. “Theo, your brother’s office has a side door, does it not?”

More curiosity and humor continued to eat away at Theo’s numbness.

“It does,” she agreed, “It leads into a closet that is shared by the adjoining library. Why?”

“Mhmm,” Ophelia hummed, pulling Theo to her feet. “Come, ladies, I have just the thing. To the kitchens!”

“The kitchens?” Theo laughed, letting her friends lead her out of the sitting room. “Whatever for?”