Livinia pushed open the door and allowed Theodora to go in first. She said a silent prayer in her heart and hoped that Benedict wouldn’t be too harsh if it turned out that he’d denied the suggestion.
“Thank you both for coming; please take a seat,” he said stiffly, stroking over the stubble on his chin.
Livinia’s hopes sank at the coolness of his tones. She felt like giving him a piece of her mind and telling him he needed to shave. Not that his beard had anything to do with his answer; she just felt like grumbling back at him.
“I think you both know why I have summoned you here.” He shifted in his seat.
Livinia and Theodora both looked at each other with the same thought mirrored in their eyes.
Oh boy, here it comes.
“You both know that the rules of the house are absolute. With that being said, perhaps I have been too harsh in my governance,” he said, his voice softening a little towards the end.
Livinia’s head snapped in surprise.
Did he change his mind?
“While I do not want this to become a regular habit, I will concede that one ball on the odd occasion should be permitted.” He forced the words out as if they caused him physical pain.
“Oh, Benedict, thank you ever so much!” Theodora jumped to her feet and rushed to her brother’s side, throwing her arms around his neck in a giddy embrace. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! If I ever complained about your grumpiness, I take it back!” She practically floated with delight.
Livinia tried to hide her smile at the awkward look on the earl’s face. Youthful enthusiasm definitely wasn’t something he knew how to handle.
“We must go and pick out a dress at once. I don’t even know when the ball is. Is there enough time to pick out a dress and decide how to wear my hair?” Theodora let go of her brother and rushed back to the sofa.
“The ball is at the end of the week. We have more than enough time to get ready.” Livinia laughed freely and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
“This is wonderful news; come, we must make haste!” The young girl rushed from the room in a blur, leaving behind her an awkward silence.
She could have imagined it, but Livinia swore she had seen the faintest smile on the earl’s lips.
“Thank you, My Lord.” She curtsied politely to Benedict.
He merely nodded at her as if he weren’t sure how to react to genuine thankfulness. His years of isolation had built walls that wouldn’t easily be brought down. She couldn’t help smiling at the warmth he harboured towards his sister. The earl was a harsh man, but beneath the surface, she could see glimpses of a kinder, gentler, and more loving person.
The thought made her pause on the way out of the room.
He can be loving.
She quickly pushed the thought aside with a shake of her head and walked ahead. An excited young girl was awaiting her guidance in the chambers upstairs.
***
Theodora twirled around the room with a bright pink dress in her arms. “Just think how wonderful it would be if I wore this during my very first dance.”
“I don’t think we should get too carried away.” Livinia laughed from her position on the foot of the bed.
The room was buried under mountains of dress that consisted of tule, silk, cotton, and satin. There was more cloth visible than the floor. She had tried to calm the girl down but now left her to enjoy the moment. Cleaning her chambers in the morning seemed like a small price to pay in the face of pure, unbridled joy.
“What if a prince attends the ball and spots me from across the room? What if he asks me to dance, and that dance ends up in me becoming a princess!” Theodora froze mid-spin as if the frightful thought were a real possibility that should be taken seriously.
“I highly doubt there will be any princes at the ball. It’s just a small soiree for members of the ton.” Livinia let out a contented sigh. If Lady Theodora and Lady Adelaide met, they would get on like a house on fire. The duo would potentially present a problem for their chaperones.
“That is very disappointing, but then again, there will more than likely be many suitors for us all!” She regained her joy and spun in a vicious circle, knocking over the chair in front of her dressing table. Shaking her head, she ignored the chair and continued to dance.
“I’m sure you will have many suitors.” She indulged the girl for a little while longer.
“Miss Campbell, have you ever been kissed?” She caught Livinia off guard.
“Why … why would you ask me something like that?” she stuttered for a second, forgetting the fact that she was in the presence of an exuberant young girl. The moment with Benedict in her chambers had instantly come to mind.
“I think it will be ever so marvellous to be kissed. I’ve heard the feeling described as a butterfly dancing across your lips.” Theodora stopped at the window and looked at the setting sun with a dreamy look in her eyes.
“I can’t say what it would feel like, but I know you shouldn’t be thinking of such things for a few years at best.” She recalled her place and reprimanded her.
Theodora giggled and spun away from the window.
“Slow down before you hurt yourself. There is still plenty of time for you to pick a dress. We had better get to bed before Lord Sheffield changes his mind because of the ruckus.” She stood and began to gather the dresses.
Theodora rushed forward and stopped her. “I promise I will be quieter. Please don’t pack things away just yet. Don’t you want to try on a few with me?” Her eyes pleaded with Livinia.
“I don’t think that will be proper. I am your governess, Lady Theodora,” she began to protest.
“I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. Please, I’ve never had anyone to play dress up with, not since my mother passed, at least.” The casual way that she spoke of her mother’s passing stood out for Livinia.
Benedict had shouldered all the hurt in an attempt to protect his sister. The realization tore at her heart. As lonely as Theodora was with the lack of company, her brother took on the role of being lonely with his hurt.
“Oh, very well, but just one.” Livinia gave in to the girl’s pleading.
