hissed from the settee where she was most definitely exaggerating her swoon. “You will explain yourself.”
She winced. Where to begin? With her ridiculous infatuation for Mr. Stallworth or attempting to explain why and how she had let herself lose her senses over a man who would never see her as a grown woman?
It did not take a genius to see that Max had somehow gotten wind of their kiss. But who—?
Stallworth.
She shut her eyes again, this time so she could mentally kick herself. Why had she not stopped to think before kissing Everly in front of Mr. Stallworth? Stupid, foolish Sarah—
“Sarah?” Theo’s low voice had her eyes snapping open in surprise. He was still there, hovering in the doorway as he and everyone else in the room stared at her. “Are you coming?”
“You and I need to sort this out, Everly,” her brother started. “This is between you and me and—”
“No.” Theo’s voice was sharp as a whip and Sarah winced at the sight of him and Max at odds.
And all because of her.
Theo turned to face Max. “This is your sister’s life we’re discussing, Max. She deserves to be included in this conversation.”
Sarah blinked. Then she blinked again when Max tore off with a muttered curse about men in love.
“Well?” Theo said, turning back to her with an expectant look. “Are you coming?”
She jolted into action. Was she coming? Of course she was. Theo was right—this was her life they were discussing. And he understood that. Which made her heart beat wildly in her chest. He knew that she should not be treated like a child and, instead, be part of this discussion about what happened next.
Her future.
Her heart.
The overworked organ was racing ahead of her as she raced to catch up with the two men, her mother hot on her heels. “Not without me, you don’t,” her mother hissed.
Precisely whom she was addressing was anyone’s guess.
When Sarah reached her brother’s study, she found Max pacing the confines of the room like a caged animal. Theo, for his part, seemed more at ease than she would have imagined a man facing a marriage he did not want. He leaned against the mantel, his arms crossed and one foot kicked out resting on the toe of the other. And while he looked relaxed he also appeared completely male…confident, strong, and striking. She skidded to a halt.
His gaze was fixed on her so intently, she found it difficult to breathe, let alone speak. Her mother, rushing in behind her, was the first to break the silence. “What is all this about, Max? Have you lost your senses?”
Max thrust a hand through his hair and Sarah was only half aware of the words he was speaking, the awkward explanation for all that had transpired. The accusations that had been made.
Theo merely held her gaze throughout it all, his dark eyes so fierce and filled with so many emotions she couldn’t begin to name them.
Her own were easier to identify.
Pain, pure and simple. Her heart felt as though it was being torn in two under his watchful stare. Her body, too, as one part of her begged to run to him, to wrap her arms around him and hold on tight, while another part of her tensed as if to flee.
She could not bear to hear his rejection again if Max tried to force him to propose.
“Well?” Max said, turning to face Theo. “What have you to say for yourself?”
Theo finally tore his gaze away and she gasped for air as her lungs recalled their purpose. He fixed that dark glare on Max. “Why don’t you ask your sister for her side of this story?”
Max’s brows drew down in a formidable glower. “Because I am asking you. As your friend and Sarah’s brother, I expect you to take responsibility for your actions—”
“And as your friend,” Theo interrupted, “it pains me to point out that you have been underestimating your sister for months now, perhaps even years.” He turned to face her, and his gaze was filled with regret. “It pains me even more to admit that I have done the same.” His throat moved as he swallowed. “But not any longer.”
Air rushed out of her lungs in a rush as she realized what he was doing. What he was saying…
Moving toward her, they were both ignoring her glowering brother and her gaping mother when he took her hands in his, his grip infinitely tender. “Sarah has grown into the kindest, most sensible, and