Chapter Sixteen: The Unspoken Words

The following day found Theodore Blackwood in a state of disbelief, something rare for a man so accustomed to control and certainty. He stood in the library of his family’s grand estate, staring out of the window, his mind racing with a million thoughts. Just the night before, he had kissed her—Lady Eleanor Kensington—and now, without even the opportunity to express his feelings, he was faced with the realization that their parents had taken matters into their own hands. A wedding. They were planning a wedding.

He couldn’t comprehend how everything had escalated so quickly. His mind flashed back to the kiss they had shared under the moonlight, the sweet, soft pressure of her lips against his, the warmth of her hand in his, the whispered promises of a future he wasn’t quite ready to define. He hadn’t even had the chance to speak his heart to her, to tell her what he truly felt. But it seemed the course of their lives had already been set by forces far beyond their control.

Theodore sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair as he leaned against the window frame. The voices of his parents, downstairs in the drawing room, were faint but unmistakable. They were undoubtedly discussing the arrangements—plans for the wedding, for the union of their families. Theodore felt a knot tighten in his chest.

As the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Islington, he had always known that his life would be filled with obligations and expectations. But this… this was different. His marriage had always been an assumed thing, a necessity for the continuation of his family’s legacy, but he had never imagined it would happen so suddenly, without his input. His parents had arranged it all, and now, Eleanor’s family was doing the same. He couldn’t escape the feeling that he had no say in the matter.

The door to the library opened with a soft creak, and Theodore turned to see his younger sister, Catherine, entering with a knowing smile on her face. She had always been perceptive, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I see you’re still brooding over Lady Kensington,” she teased, her voice light. “What’s the matter, Theo? Afraid of commitment?”

Theodore shook his head, a tight smile forming on his lips despite the turmoil inside. “You could say that. I never expected this to happen so quickly. They’ve already started planning the wedding.”

Catherine raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe with a playful smirk. “I’m sure you’re thrilled about it. You’ve been dancing around each other for weeks, and now it seems the grown-ups have decided it’s time to make things official. Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet already.”

“I’m not getting cold feet,” Theodore replied, his voice laced with frustration. “It’s just… too much, too fast. I kissed her last night, Catherine. Just kissed her. And now they’re arranging a wedding like it’s already decided.”

His sister’s smile faltered slightly, but she remained calm, understanding. “I see. But what do you want, Theo? Do you want her? Or do you want to run away from this, like you’ve always done with everything else?”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts momentarily focused on his sister’s words. “I want her,” he said, his voice low and determined. “But I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for our families to take control like this.”

Catherine’s expression softened, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “You may not have been ready, but it seems you don’t have much of a choice. Lady Kensington is a remarkable woman, Theo. She’s more than just the daughter of a Duke. She’s strong, intelligent, and… she’s already decided to go along with it.”

Theodore sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. “I know. I saw it in her eyes last night. She’s playing along with this, just like I am. But does she really want it? Or is she just going along with what’s expected of her?”

Catherine chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You’re both too proud for your own good, Theo. It’s obvious you care for each other. So, why not just admit it to yourselves? There’s no need to make it more complicated than it already is.”

Before Theodore could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, and the door to the library opened once more. This time, it was his mother, Lady Islington, who entered with a calm, composed air. She had always been the epitome of grace, a woman whose presence could fill a room with authority without uttering a word.

“Theodore,” she said, her voice warm but firm. “It’s time to speak with the Kensingtons. The arrangements have been made, and your father is eager to meet with Lord Kensington. We need to finalize the details of the wedding.”

Theodore felt his heart skip a beat at the mention of the word “wedding.” He had never anticipated that everything would move so swiftly, but here they were. His mother’s gaze softened as she studied him, her tone turning slightly more sympathetic. “I know this is all moving quickly, darling, but we’re doing what’s best for the family. The Kensingtons are a distinguished family, and Lady Eleanor is a fine match for you. You’ve had more than enough time to get to know each other.”

“I understand, Mother,” Theodore replied, his voice a mixture of resignation and frustration. “I just didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly.”

His mother placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I know, my dear. But sometimes, things don’t go according to our plans. We must learn to accept what’s given to us.”

She paused, her gaze searching his face. “You don’t doubt your feelings for her, do you?”

Theodore hesitated, unsure of how to answer. “I… I care for her,” he said quietly, the words feeling both too simple and too complex at the same time. “But I need to be sure that this isn’t just what’s expected of us. I need to know if she feels the same way, or if she’s just going along with the plans our families have made.”

Lady Islington gave him a knowing smile. “Eleanor is not one to follow anyone’s lead, Theodore. She’s intelligent, strong-willed. If she didn’t want this, she would have told you by now. Trust her judgment. And trust yourself.”

Theodore nodded, his thoughts still racing. His mother had a way of calming him with her quiet wisdom, but the questions swirling in his mind were far from being answered.

After a few moments of silence, his mother turned to leave, but not before speaking one last time.

“Theodore, your father is waiting for you. The sooner we finalize everything with the Kensingtons, the sooner you can focus on the future.”

As she left the room, Theodore glanced at his sister, who gave him a sympathetic look. “Go to her, Theo. Talk to her. She’ll be waiting for you.”

With a final sigh, Theodore left the library, heading down the grand hallway of the estate toward the drawing room where the Kensingtons were already gathered. He couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at him, but he knew this was a step he couldn’t avoid.

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Back at the Kensington estate, Eleanor stood before her mirror, adjusting her dress as she prepared for the evening. She hadn’t expected things to move so quickly, but it seemed that the proposal was now a matter of certainty. She had agreed to it without hesitation, but now, as she thought back to the kiss they had shared, doubts began to creep in.

Was this truly what she wanted? Was this love, or simply duty?

As she adjusted the lace around her neckline, she could almost feel Theodore’s presence behind her. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him. She was already calling him by his title, Lord Blackwood, but was he truly the man she had imagined him to be?

She would find out soon enough.