Page 59 of A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter

“I introduced myself yesterday,” Clem said mildly but extended his hand for her to shake in any case.

Mrs. Cherwell’s gaze darted between him and Theo a few times before she answered, “Pleased to meet any husband of Miss Theodora’s, I’m sure. Now, I see you’ve got the stove lit, so if you go up and dress, then I’ll get a bit of breakfast on for you sharpish.”

To Theo’s surprise, Clem agreed to this without a murmur and disappeared up to their room to dress. “What do you make of him?” she asked Mrs. Cherwell curiously.

The other woman spluttered a moment before answering. “Well,” she said judiciously, after a moment. “He ain’t a gentleman born and bred, I can tell that much, standing down here in his bare feet, a-lightin of the stove, but he’s a fine, broad specimen and no mistake. Where did you find ‘im?”

“He owns a music hall called The Eagle and Sun in Shoreditch,” Theo informed her, sinking down onto a wooden stool.

“’E never does!”

Theo nodded and resumed spooning the tea leaves into the pot. She could not remember how many scoops she had already done, but it probably did not signify if it was a little strong this morning. “Which room you put ‘im in?” Mrs. Cherwell continued. “The old master’s?”

“Uncle Barnabus’ room?” Theo was startled. “No, of course not. I put him in my room. We’re married,” she reiterated.

Mrs. Cherwell’s eyebrows shot up. “And what did Master Felix say to that?” she asked, taking eggs and ham from the cupboard. Theo was suddenly glad Clem had bought so many supplies or she would have had to confess to yet another area in which she had let the side down badly.

“After all, what could he say? We were indisputably wed by the time we returned here.” Theo hesitated. “We spent our wedding night at Wards Hotel.”

Disappointingly, Mrs. Cherwell did not seem familiar with the name of the grand hotel. Still, Theo gained the distinct impression she was squirreling information away to carry home to her Herbert. “What you a-done to your hair, Miss Theodora?” she asked finally, squinting at Theo as she scooped some lard into the frying pan. “Catch it in the mangle, did you?”

Theo could not help but laugh at this. She shook her head. “I wasn’t quite that incompetent, though it was a close-run thing.”

Theo felt decidedly flat after Clem departed directly after his breakfast. She drank two cups of tea with Mrs. Cherwell before drifting back upstairs to dress. She decided to settle herself in the sitting room today in case Lil should call. If she did not, then she could always pick up her dressmaking.

Theo lit a fire in the grate and then busied herself unpacking the large chest that had been left the night before. It was jam-packed with fancy liqueurs and even fancier-looking boxes of sweets and bonbons all done up with pretty ribbons. Theo handled them with the greatest of care, placing them along the mirror-backed shelves. They must have been dreadfully expensive.

She was brought out of her thoughts by Mrs. Cherwell knocking briefly on the door before she came in bearing a tea tray complete with warm scones. “I bought you up some elevenses, Miss Theodora,” she said briskly and set the tray down with a rattle. Theo was quite astonished, for Mrs. Cherwell had never done such a thing before. “I bought up an extra cup as you said you was maybe expecting your friend to visit. I’ll be sure and show her up, should she deign to call.”

Theo thanked her profusely and then gazed down at the fresh scones and jam. She had even been given the best china! She was just wondering if she ought to summon Felix and Harold down to join her when a rap on the door heralded Lil’s arrival.

Theo flew out of her chair and embraced her friend. “Lil! I’m so glad you’ve come!”

Lil returned the embrace but drew back with a troubled expression. She waited for the door to shut after the housekeeper before she spoke. “Theo my dear, what have you done?” Lil sounded half-scandalized, half-intrigued. “I hardly knew what to make of your letter! I could not decide if you were in the grip of a brain fever or were flat out intoxicated when you wrote it!”

“Neither I assure you!” Theo took her friend’s bonnet and mittens from her, setting them down on the nearest surface. “Now come and draw near the fire for you feel chilled through.”

“Have you indeed married him? Dabney, I mean?” Lil demanded as Theo led her to the seat nearest the fire.

“I have.” Theo nodded, seeing her friend seated. “If you had been in when he delivered your letter you would have seen him yesterday evening.”

“My mother-in-law said it was a fine figure of a man, though no true gent,” Lil said in a dazed voice. “What pray does Felix make of it all!”

Theo sat behind the tea tray and made haste to pour Lil a cup. “In truth, he took it quite well, all things considered,” she answered. “There was a little posturing and a few cross words, but he soon caved when he saw there was nothing doing. We spent the wedding night at Wards Hotel,” she added, casting a quick glance at Lil through her lashes.

“Wards?” Lil squawked, finally giving Theo the reaction she had anticipated from the name drop.

Theo nodded, her eyes aglow. “Oh Lil,” she said setting down the teapot, “it was ever so fancy and quite the loveliest time I have ever had!”

Lil blinked, looking considerably taken aback by this confidence. “He treated you right, then?” she asked faintly.

“Oh yes! He could not have treated me more handsomely if he had tried. We had a beautiful suite, fine dining in the restaurant, and the most wonderful cocktails. I declare, I’ve drunk more champagne in the past three days than at any other time in my life! I cannot remember a time when I was so thoroughly spoiled.”

Lil’s gaze softened. “I can well believe that my darlin’,” she said wryly. “Well, I’m glad he managed to show you a good time, at least.” She glanced around. “This room’s a lot cheerier than the one we used last time,” she commented.

“Yes, but there is no piano in here,” Theo said regretfully. “Have you had much time to rehearse? How have things been with you?”

“I’ve learned all me words, never fear!” Lil told her. “I been practicing with Peggy,” she said naming her old dresser. “And she chuckles over every line, let me tell you! If she’s any indication of the reception we’ll get, then we’re assured a hit.”