“My lord,” he heard Stallworth say to Max, his voice dropping low. “May I have a word?”
Theo dropped his hands, fists clenching at his sides. Stallworth had better tread very carefully or Theo would have a few choice words for him. More than a few.
Because though he’d understood Sarah’s irritation, he’d relish the opportunity to vent some of his own frustration.
Max gave Stallworth an easy smile. “Of course, Mr. Stallworth.”
Theo began moving closer. Slowly.
Because he didn’t want to spook Mr. Stallworth. In fact, he very much wanted to allow the man to dig his own grave.
“I’ve known your sister for some time now,” Mr. Stallworth began. “I admire her greatly.”
Max shifted to face Mr. Stallworth more fully. “Many do.”
Mr. Stallworth nodded. “I must confess that before I met my fiancée, I rather fancied her.”
Theo straightened. Where was Stallworth going with this? He’d brought up Miss Rathmore, which did not seem like the best way to try and win Max’s favor. But if not that, why would Stallworth seek out Max?
Max narrowed his gaze. “I’m sure Sarah would be pleased to know that she was your second choice.”
Theo nearly smiled. Stallworth was doing an excellent job digging his hole.
Stallworth glanced over at Theo, his lips thinning over his teeth.
Theo crossed his arms, smiling in return. Witnessing this conversation was even more enjoyable then he’d imagined. Despite everything that had happened today, at least he knew that the business with Stallworth and Sarah was over forever.
His smile turned to a grimace. The possibility of himself and Sarah was done as well. There is no us.
Stallworth cleared his throat. “Apologies, my lord. I did not mean that the way it sounded. Sarah would be no man’s second choice. She is a rare flower and—”
“And my sister is what exactly?” another voice bit out behind Theo. He turned to see the fiancée ’s brother, Jacob Rathmore, the Baron Clemons. Theo’s brows rose up. That man looked about as happy with Stallworth as Theo felt.
Clearly, he wasn’t the only man attempting to protect an innocent woman from Stallworth. Then Theo winced. But Miss Rathmore was set to marry the cad.
Stallworth shifted again. “This isn’t about me at all, actually.” Stallworth tossed Theo one more glare before he looked back at Max. “I have it on good authority that another man has compromised your sister.”
Max straightened, the lines of his face growing hard. “What authority is that?”
“My own eyes,” Stallworth said with a smirk.
And then Theo knew what Stallworth’s endgame was. Sarah had dismissed this man. Made it clear she didn’t want him at all. Stallworth was going to make her pay. He was going to make Theo pay, too.
“Stallworth,” he gritted out, no longer willing to be an observer of this conversation. He shouldn’t have allowed it to begin with. Theo should have known that Stallworth would have some dirty trick up his sleeve. That was the sort of man he’d always been.
But Stallworth ignored him. “Your friend has not only been heavy-handed with me, but he’s also been rather…” Stallworth paused, looking up at the grey sky. The man was clearly enjoying this moment as he tapped his chin. “Handsy with Lady Sarah.”
Max scrunched his brow, looking over at Theo and then back at Stallworth.
Theo stepped in front of both of them, holding up a fist. “If one of us has overstepped, it’s not me.”
The baron came to stand next to Theo as well. “I’ve no doubt that Lord Everly is correct. You.” And he pointed at Stallworth. “Are a plague to all womankind.”
Theo let out a small breath, glad for an unexpected ally in this moment.
But Max’s look grew darker with each passing moment. “Regardless. Is there any truth to this accusation?”
His gaze fell on Theo and Theo could not bring himself to outright lie to his oldest and most trusted friend. “Max, I can explain—”
“You can explain?” His echoing words were loaded with anger, For the first time in ages, Theo was reminded that while Max was his friend, he was also a military man and a gentleman charged with the protection of his mother and sister. Max took a step closer. “Why is the first I am hearing of any of this?”
Theo winced. “Sarah wished to handle this on her own and—”
“Sarah wished it,” Max muttered. Then he drew in a sharp breath. “I love Sarah dearly and she has skills I could only dream of possessing, but decision-making isn’t one of them. Why would you keep me—”
“You’re wrong.” The words were out of Theo’s mouth before he could stop them, but he wouldn’t take them back now. Didn’t wish to. Max needed to hear this. “Sarah is a grown woman now. Intelligent, mature, and strong. You should trust her with her own future.”
Max stared at him, his eyes crinkling at the corners as his head tilted to one side. “I knew you would admire her if you spent enough time with her.”
Theo glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck again. If Max only knew. “I admire her a great deal.”
It was she who had less affection for him. But that was a conversation to have with Max at a later time.
A slow smile spread over Max’s face but Stallworth pushed back into the conversation. “He admires her so much that he had his lips and hands all over her on the veranda the other night.”
“What?” Max’s head whipped back around to Stallworth, who now wore a triumphant grin.
Sick dread filled Theo’s stomach. How could he even deny the words? They were true. But Sarah didn’t want him. “It’s not like that.”
“What’s it like then?” Stallworth asked, narrowing his gaze. “I, for one, am interested to hear this story.”
“How interesting that you are calling another man out on inappropriate behavior,” the baron said, his lips curling. “Don’t trust him, my lord.” He looked at Max. “Stallworth is a liar and a cheat, and manipulates to get his way.”
“How dare you.” Stallworth started to move toward Clemons, his fists raised. “Defamation of that sort will not go—”
“Enough,” Max cut the other man off, looking at Theo. “I don’t care about any of that. Right now, we’re discussing Sarah.” He pointed at Theo. “I want the truth. What happened between you and my sister?”
Theo pulled himself up taller. “I’d prefer to discuss this with you without an audience.”
“So you can lie your way out of it.” Stallworth shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Mr. Stallworth,” Max bit out, an edge coloring his voice that Theo had never heard before. “You are dangerously close to being asked to leave my home and never returning. You will be quiet.” Then Max pointed at Theo. “And you will explain. Now.”
Theo cared for Max like a brother. But he loved Sarah with all of his heart. “I must insist we return to the house. This is no place for such a conversation.”
Max spun in the snow and began marching back toward the house. “Fine. But you can begin your explanation on the way.”