Page 28 of Surrender

“I think it’s a bit more than your being tired. You cried yourself to sleep last night.” Wincing at her mother’s statement, Genevieve closed her eyes to avoid the intent gaze pinned on her. When she didn’t answer, Rhea Rockwood sighed. “I’d asked if it were about Peter, but I think it’s something else.”

“Something else?” Genevieve queried as her eyes flew open to stare at her mother’s curious expression, hoping she’d injected a solid note of puzzlement into her voice while schooling her features into a look of confusion.

“I think you quarreled with Theo last night.” At her mother’s observation, Genevieve closed her eyes and laid the cool washcloth over her eyes again.

“He was being arrogant and autocratic. He was also rude to Count Ansbach at the ball. He seems to have taken a dislike to the count, and when the man asked to call on me, Theo told him I had appointments the remainder of the week.”

“I see.” The amusement she heard in her mother’s response made Genevieve whip the cloth off her eyes.

“Are you implying something, Mother?”

“No, I am simply making an observation. However, ever since we returned to London from Callendar Abbey, you and Theo seem to be butting heads more than usual.”

“More than usual? The man barely noticed I was alive before that.”

“That’s not true,” Rhea said with a smile. “You might not have realized it, but Theo rarely takes his eyes off you. He’s tried to hide it, but we’ve all seen it whenever his guard slips.”

Astonished, Genevieve stared at her mother in disbelief, and Rhea Rockwood laughed softly. Frowning at her mother’s amusement, she narrowed her gaze at the older woman.

“I believe you’re imagining things.”

“No, I’m not the only one who’s seen the way he looks at you.” At her mother’s words, Genevieve’s cheeks grew warm.

“You must be mistaken. Theo sees me as a thorn in his side.”

“But a beautiful rose always has a thorn that carries a sharp prick,” Rhea said with a soft laugh. “Even when you were a young girl, Theo seemed to waver between wanting to chastise you or comfort you whenever you scraped an elbow or knee.”

Flabbergasted, Genevieve’s eyes widened, then narrowed at her mother. Shaking her head, she drew in a quick breath.

“Now I know you’re mistaken. Theo refused to let me join him and Peter whenever they went exploring at Callendar Abbey. When he went off to Eton and came home for the holidays, he ignored me or berated me for being reckless.”

“I’ve a feeling that was more about keeping his feelings hidden. Although he failed more often than he succeeded.”

Genevieve scrambled out of bed at her mother’s reply and crossed the cold floor against her bare feet to refresh her washcloth that had lost its cold temperature. Behind her, Rhea Rockwood made a soft sound.

“Well, regardless of what the two of you argued about last night, he was here bright and early inquiring about you.” Rhea’s statement made Genevieve spin around to stare at her mother wide-eyed with astonishment for a second time.

“He what?”

“From your surprise, it’s obvious you heard me correctly, Genevieve Rockwood,” her mother said with amused disgust. “Your father and I think Theo’s smitten, and we’re not the only ones to think that either. Your Aunt Louisa and Aunt Constance are convinced he’s taken with you. Even your Uncle Sebastian has mused his suspicions as well.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter whether Theo is or isn’t interested in me. I’m not besotted or interested in him the least little bit. And I would appreciate it if the family would stop speculating about us.”

Genevieve bristled, frowning with aggravation before a sudden rush of fear made her heart clench with trepidation. If Theo knew the family—Genevieve halted the thought. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t marry him, even if she wanted to, which she did not. As she met her mother’s gaze, she saw the twinkle in her mother’s eyes, and Genevieve’s mouth tightened.

“I do not see what you find so amusing.”

“I’m not laughing at you, dearest, and I’ll tell everyone to avoid mentioning Theo when you’re present. However, you know how fond the Rockwoods are of meddling in matters of the heart,” her mother said with the distinct sound of laughter in her voice, while her mouth twitched as she was obviously struggling to keep a straight face.

“I’m well aware of the family’s meddlesome nature, and I will not take kindly to any meddling on their part,” Genevieve said in a terse manner.

“As I said, I’ll express your wishes to the family.” Rhea Rockwood studied her for a moment as her expression became thoughtful. “But perhaps you should consider why you’re so prickly at the mere mention of Theo. Is it possible your feelings for Theo are stronger than you care to admit?”

Stunned by the question, Genevieve stared at her mother in horror. In her head, a gleeful chorus crowed and cheered the answer to her mother’s question. No, it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t have feelings for Theo. It would mean her physical attraction for him was rooted in something other than carnal desire.

Impossible, she knew better than to allow herself to feel anything for Theo. Despite what her father had said, she was far from worthy of being his wife, or any man’s for that matter. Falling in love with Theo was something she would never allow herself to do.

In the back of her mind, she heard mocking laughter as a voice inside her head called her a liar. She didn’t dare consider what her inner conscience meant by suggesting she was deceiving herself. Once more the mocking laughter echoed in the back of her head. Panic swept through her. She was in far greater danger of succumbing to Theo than she’d realized.