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“In her last letter, Jane said things are going well and little Charlie is growing at a remarkable rate. While she is not fully back to her old self, she has every confidence in her complete recovery.” Lizzie seemed to want to reassure those in the room that Jane was fine.

“Do you ladies mind sharing some of your treats?” That voice came from William as he peeked his head into the room. Walking over to his wife, his eyes softened as he gazed upon her lovingly.

Mary loved seeing the happiness that they still brought each other. She suspected her sisters felt the same for it meant the rest of them could hope for such love in their own unions.

“I am sure Catherine arranged for more than enough.” Lizzie gazed up at her husband with just as much love. If Selene was not there, Mary knew she would have told him he could have the treats in exchange for a kiss.

“Is there enough for two?” The colonel’s voice came from the doorway.

“Colonel Theodore, I did not know you would be visiting today. Please join us.” Catherine stood to greet him and gestured him over to an empty chair near where she had been sitting. “Would you like tea?”

“If you do not mind us complicating your tea, a break would be nice. Going over ledgers has proven more taxing than marching through the mud on a summer campaign.” The colonel sat, revealing his gratitude with a soft smile.

“Hello Miss Burgess, you seem to be fitting in well with everyone. What do you think of the company of so many sisters?”

Mary let the conversation wash over her as she focused on the new development unfolding in front of her.

As the conversation continued, both Catherine and the colonel continued to glance at one another.

They attempted to be surreptitious, but if you watched them both, it became obvious.

Smiling to herself, Mary decided she would not interfere, but instead wait and see if it developed further.

Catherine rose to serve tea to the two gentlemen.

Despite knowing how they both took their tea, she struggled to keep her hands steady as she prepared it.

Seeing Theodore suddenly at the door had unnerved her.

She had to clench her hands to get them under control.

Handing William his cup, she moved on to making a cup for the colonel.

The act of handing him his tea almost scalded her.

His touch was electric, sending a wave of heat through her body as she held the teacup steady.

His hand enveloped her own when he took the teacup, and she had somehow felt it down to her core.

Sitting down, she placed her hand over her heart, willing it to settle.

Chastising herself for becoming distracted, she forced her mind to the conversation.

She would think about her reaction at a later time, when she was alone.

When Catherine could finally pay attention, Lizzie was speaking to Theodore.

“How do you find the ledgers? I know paperwork is not something you exactly enjoy. Was everything in order?” Speaking from where she was snuggled into William's side, Lizzie questioned Theodore.

Catherine knew her sister was always delighted to have her husband with her, even though society did not fully approve of their constant need for touch.

With a wry smile, Theodore reached for a tiny scone. “I was just reviewing a few things with Darcy.”

“I am surprised that Cedric did not have a man of business who handled things,” Mary chimed in.

Theodore took a sip of his tea to wash down one of the scones before responding. “He had someone who handled business ventures who I have been in contact with, but it seems that he handled a lot of things himself.”

“I can attest to how difficult it can be to take over things when you suddenly inherit, and Theodore has done remarkably well.” William spoke fondly of his cousin’s efforts, smiling at the man he had always been close friends with.

Catherine had been watching Theodore and noted how uncomfortable he seemed.

Rubbing at his eyebrow, he stared down at his teacup, his lips curved downward instead of the usual easy smile he wore when conversing with the group.

Was he embarrassed by the attention he was getting?

Or perhaps he did not enjoy the reminder of his brother's death? Catherine felt the need to reach out to him, but instead decided it might be best to divert everyone’s attention.

“I am sure that you did not come in here to talk of business matters.

I suggest a change of subject. There's talk of a new music repository being built on Bond Street. What are your thoughts?”

Theodore looked up when she changed the topic, and their eyes locked.

Had he realized that she changed the topic for him?

Would he be offended or grateful? Catherine gave him a fleeting smile and was relieved to see him smile in return.

Blushing, she glanced away. It would be best if she was not spotted pining after him. What was she thinking?

Georgiana was always eager to discuss music and took up the topic change swiftly. “I am glad of any opportunity to peruse sheet music. I spend so much time practicing that I always enjoy obtaining new pieces.”

“I wonder if the increased competition will affect the prices of the sheet music,” Mary commented, looking at the practical side of things.

Not wanting to leave Selene out of the conversation, Catherine looked over at her once more.

When she spotted her looking at Colonel Theodore, Catherine blinked twice in surprise.

Was Selene fond of Theodore? It had never occurred to her that Selene might have feelings for him.

Why did that possibility leave a strange ache in her chest?

“Selene, do you enjoy playing an instrument? Would you be just as eager to have a new place to shop for sheet music?”

Wrinkling her nose, Selene shook her head in denial.

“While I enjoy listening to the piano, I never could master it. I have attempted the harp but find myself not much better at it than the piano. That does not deprive me of enjoying the symphony and the opera. I attend both whenever I can convince my brother to take me.”

“We must go together sometime. I hear they will do a new play in the next week or two. Do you have any plans to attend?”

The conversation continued to flow easily, calming her nerves, even though she thought she felt the colonel’s eyes on her more than once. Overall, Catherine believed the tea with Selene to be a success, despite the weight of uncertainty that had settled in her stomach.

The tingle in his hand persisted, keeping Theodore’s thoughts on his interaction with her despite having left the room and Miss Catherine behind some time before.

She was a girl, and his cousin's sister-in-law.

What was wrong with him? He couldn't possibly be considering Miss Catherine in a romantic manner.

He was certainly not looking at Miss Catherine as if she were an attractive woman who had drawn his attention. The fine tremor in his hand didn't escape his attention as he headed to Matlock House. Could his constant lack of sleep be causing this?

She had noted his discomfort and changed the subject.

While he was grateful they no longer had to talk about estate matters, what affected him more was that somehow, she knew.

While he loved Darcy like a brother, his commendation made him uncomfortable.

She had realized that he was not comfortable and changed the subject.

Was he really that transparent, or was it something else?

Their eyes had met, and that brief moment had made his heart thud uncomfortably.

Her small smile filled him with reassurance, but then her blush filled him with heat.

He was not so green that he did not know what he was feeling, but why was he so attracted to her?

The changing of the seasons marked each new romantic endeavor for some, but that was not his style.

He certainly was not like Bingley, who had spotted a new angel at every ball.

Refusing to admit what his heart whispered was true, Theodore rushed up the stairs to his townhouse.

The door was swiftly opened as if by magic and he greeted the footman.

Feeling the need for some exertion, he went to his room and looked for Barnes.

What he needed was a trip to Gentlemen Jack's, to get his blood flowing and his mind moving in another direction.

That night, as she lay in bed, Catherine stared at the ceiling trying to make sense of everything.

The day had created a constant stream of questions that were swirling through her head.

Well, mostly she questioned what had happened once Theodore had walked into the room.

That was when what she could best describe as electricity had started.

She had never felt anything like it before—the heat that surged through her when their hands met.

It was much more pleasant than the feeling that had followed—the hollow pain in her chest when she saw Selene looking at Theodore.

Thinking about that had been her last clue.

Her heart ached, and she knew it was a sign of the feelings she was developing for him.

It had taken a moment for her to admit it to herself, to even accept the possibility that she might be falling in love.

The very notion that she might be losing her heart to Theodore had seemed ridiculous at first, but as she recalled each of their interactions, she realized with a sinking feeling that it might not be so impossible after all.

She tried to search her mind for the day, or the hour, that it had started. Love had already taken root before she had a chance to fully comprehend it. She had never dreamed that the beginnings of love would make her feel this way, or that it would destroy her so entirely.

She knew in her heart that her affection could never be reciprocated, and the realization was devastating.

The contrast between the richness of his life and the emptiness of hers was stark.

He had been places and seen things that would affect him for the rest of life.

She was trapped in the world of debutantes, where every day was filled with dances, teas, and mind-numbing small talk.

He would never see her as more than a girl.

What frightened her even more was the possibility of being caught in a hopeless case of puppy love.

She would have to find a way to keep anyone from finding out.

Her heart shuddered in her chest as she tried to find a way to lock her feelings down.

The idea of seeing him again without giving away her emotions and making a fool of herself weighed heavily on her mind.

She would have to be polite and keep things light—nothing that would give her away. She could do it…maybe. If everything went according to plan, these sentiments would surely diminish as time passed, and then she could concentrate on surviving the season.