Page 44 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

“What a twisted compliment,” she grumbled, though the corners of her mouth turned up in amusement. He laughed again, the sound making her heart flutter unexpectedly.

“Do you make it a habit?” Agnes suddenly asked after a sip of her wine.

“What?” He looked up from the mutton he was expertly carving.

“Dining outside,” she clarified.

A flicker of something inscrutable crossed his features, and he was silent for a moment before answering, “Well, there’s a first time for everything, is there not?”

“A first time dining out,” Agnes said, her voice trailing off as she pondered the layers she was only just beginning to uncover in her husband.

“A first time dining out in the greenhouse, yes,” he affirmed, giving her a direct look that challenged her to inquire further.

“Oh, so you do dine outside,” she remarked, seizing the opportunity to delve deeper into his life—a life about which he seldom spoke.

“Is it a family tradition, perhaps?” She ventured, curious about the customs that might have shaped him.

"Family traditions are outdated practices, don’t you agree?" He dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "I’m a man who moves with modern times, Agnes," he added, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

This was not the answer she sought, Agnes realized with a hint of frustration. Theodore had skillfully turned the conversation to himself, dodging inquiries about his family heritage.

“Well, perhaps Harriet would be more interested in upholding the traditions,” Agnes ventured again, determined not to be swayed by his deft deflections.

His eyes narrowed briefly, a flash of something unreadable before he responded. “The only traditions Harriet upholds are those to do with her wardrobe,” he said, his voice light, almost teasing.

Agnes took a deliberate bite of her mutton, contemplating her next move. He was proving to be a formidable opponent in conversation, evasive and charming all at once.

“The girls must miss their mother,” she ventured, touching upon a more sensitive topic.

“Oh, that is the order of nature. To miss one’s departed loved ones,” he replied with a nod, scooping up more potatoes. His tone was casual, but his face remained a mask of congeniality that didn't quite reach his eyes.

“Doyou?” Agnes pressed, watching him closely.

Theodore paused, his fork midway to his plate, and met her gaze. After a moment, he responded cryptically, “The years just keep passing us by, do they not?”

His answer was evasive, almost philosophical, leaving Agnes more puzzled than before. It was clear there was a wall around him—a well-guarded fortress where his emotions and past were closely shielded.

But Agnes felt a stirring, a desire not just to breach those defenses but to understand the man behind them. As his wife,wasn't it her right to share more than just his name and home? Wasn't it her duty to know the heartaches that had shaped him, to share the burdens he carried alone?

"Theodore," she began, her voice soft yet firm, "sharing a bit more about your life, about what shapes you... isn't that part of being married?"

Theodore looked at her, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across his face, highlighting the stark seriousness in his green eyes. Agnes waited, hoping her words had reached him, hoping that tonight, they might start to bridge the gap that his secrecy had placed between them.

“I think George would find some rather interesting friends in this greenhouse,” Theodore commented, his gaze leisurely scanning the lush interior. Each word seemed measured, calculated, leaving Agnes little room but to engage on the new topic.

“Oh, most definitely,” Agnes responded, her mind briefly flickering to her younger brother's fascination with all manner of creatures. The mention of her family momentarily softened the longing she felt whenever she thought of them, and she momentarily overlooked the fact that Theodore had deftly steered the conversation away from his own familial ties.

“This place is bound to be a critter haven for him,” she added, her voice tinged with amusement as she imagined her brother's delight in such a setting.

The thought lingered, and Agnes saw an opening to delve into another subject that had been on her mind. “Do you think it would be good for the boys to spend some time here with us?”

“Oh, most definitely,” Theodore echoed her earlier sentiment. “I think they would add much-needed life to the household.”

“You mean keep Quentin and Mrs. Davis busier?” Agnes teased, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

Theodore's laughter joined hers, a sound that warmed her more than she expected. As their laughter faded, Agnes decided it was the perfect moment to transition to a question that had been gnawing at her since her arrival.

“Theodore?” she ventured, her tone slightly more serious as she caught his attention.

---