Page 117 of The Girl Out of Time
A servant? No, that seemed unlikely for Cass. Another working man? Or simply someone without a title? There wasn’t a special reason Theo wanted to know, other than resolving the puzzle provided a welcome distraction.
Who would Wescott hate the most? Perhaps the clue wasn’t in generalness, but in specificity. He might not care for lower-ranking people, but he didn’t hate them. Unfortunately, Theo knew very little of Wescott or his acquaintances and enemies. The most about him he’d actually learned today, from Maria.
From two best friends, two mortal enemies were born.
“Lord Farenham,” he said.
Cass patted his hand, confirming his solution. “Daniel.” She said his name in the same dreamlike way Theo would repeat Emmeline’s name in his head.
“Does your father know?”
She nodded. “I know how to play Papa’s obedient servant, too. But it’s time we both stopped being that.”
“I can still go talk to him alone. Only tell him about my problem. Once he’s calmed down …”
“No. We’ll help each other.” She grabbed his hand and stood. “We deserve that, don’t you think?”
And so they went, through the silent and dark house, to Wescott’s study, where a line of light still shone from under the door. Theo knocked, and upon their summons, they entered.
“Leon,” Wescott greeted with a raised eyebrow. “Cassie. You’re not in bed yet?”
“We need to talk to you.” Theo shared a confirmatory glance with Cass before he continued. “It’s about the wedding.”
“We’re not moving the date. The announcement is already being planned for the newspapers—”
“I’m not marrying your daughter,” Theo cut in.
For a long and absolutely terrifying moment, Wescott was completely still. Then he leaned forward, angling his head like a predator. “What?”
“We’re not marrying, Papa,” Cass said. “I’m—”
“I’m in love with someone else,” Theo said.
Wescott was silent at first; then, he banged his fists on the table and cackled. “Love? You’reinlove?” Still laughing, he rose and circled around the desk, approaching them. “Yousilly boy. You don’t know what you’re feeling.”
“I—” Theo started.
“No, no, I see how it is. You saw a pretty girl somewhere. You’re not married yet, and I understand—men have their needs. I will turn a blind eye to it, but only until the vows are said.”
“Papa!” Cass cut in, but he shushed her by raising a finger.
“So go,” he said to Theo, nearly spitting. “Do your chasing. Take what you need from her. Have your fun—”
Theo grabbed him by the lapels of his coat and pushed him back, straight into a wall, a nearby painting shaking from the impact. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that!”
“Are you insane?”
“No.” Theo let him go and, chest heaving, moved a few steps back. “If anything, I finallyamsane.”
“You do not defy me.” Enunciating each word, Wescott fixed his cravat and cracked his neck. “I created you. I own you!”
“You own my knowledge. My clothes, the bed I sleep in,” Theo said. “But you don’t own me.”
“Papa, listen to him. To us,” Cass said, as redness crept into Wescott’s face.
“Everything I can, I’ll pay back to you,” Theo said. “In work, in money—I can give you anything except my life.”
“Your life is the one thing I need!” Wescott lunged at Theo, but Cass jumped in, trying to interpose herself between them.
