"Philip, I was just worried about you. All you said was, 'Hey, I have to go duel somebody. See you in a little while! Maybe!' Would you not be concerned?"
"But you knew how dangerous going to my house would be for you. For us." Philip put his arm around her shoulders, gently squeezing for emphasis. "What if you had let something slip? And how are we supposed to explain this when we do have to tell them?"
Theodosia sighed. "I know, I know. It was stupid and I apologize. But sitting around waiting for you to show up was driving me crazy. What else was I supposed to do?"
He pulled her close, letting her wrap her arms around his waist. "They seemed to like you well enough. It could be worse."
"Someone did attempt to break into my house."
"What?" Philip looked at Theodosia, obviously concerned. "Who would do such a thing?"
"We don't know. They left before my father could catch them. I was asleep at the time."
"Wait, you were in the house?"
Theodosia only nodded, beginning to wish she hadn't brought it up. But it was best she told him before he figured out from somewhere else.
"Hey, can I get you two anything? Tea, maybe?" Richard stood in the kitchen doorway, trying to stop the couple from going into a squabble.
They both looked at him, trying to figure out he was being serious.
"I take that as a no?" He asked, trying to keep the mood light. He did not want them fighting. At least, not in his living room. "I was just offering."
Philip sighed, asking him if he could lend him a jacket. His was soaking wet and wouldn't do much to keep him warm when he left.
"Of course. There's one in my bedroom you can borrow. Just go down that way and it's the second door you come to."
"Thank you," Philip said, heading down the hallway he was directed toward. He wasn't thinking as he opened the first door he came to. He only had to look for a second before becoming confused. He had never seen this room before. Of course, Richard had always told him it was just a storage room, filled with nothing but junk. But this room wasn't filled at all.
The room was small, maybe three fourths of the size of the average bedroom. There was only a small mattress in the back corner with a long piece of rope on top of it. He nearly got a headache from breathing in that air, and he picked up a musty scent. The room was stuffy. Why would anyone use a room like this?
Philip shut that door, figuring that was why it was almost empty. He went down one more door and recognized his friend's comfortable-feeling bedroom. He grabbed the jacket Richard had told him about. He let out a soft shiver as he passed that first door again. He couldn't explain why it gave him chills, but it did.
"I should be going, I suppose," Philip told the other two as he slipped on the jacket and grabbed his own. "I have schoolwork I really need to catch up on. Before I go, can I talk to you, Richard? Alone?"
The other man only nodded, beckoning for Philip to step into the kitchen with him.
"I apologize," The Hamilton began as he stepped out of Theodosia's earshot, "But I accidentally went into that first room down the hallway. Would you mind if I asked what it is for?"
"Ah. That room." Richard dried a mug and set it back in the cabinet. "I used to use it for storage. But the weather was not kind to one of the walls, so now it is not used for anything."
"What was the bed in there for?"
"It is just my old bed, from before I got the one I use now. It's not in good shape, so I just tossed it in there. Nobody will miss it," Richard explained, almost too casually. "Would you mind returning the jacket as soon as you can? It belongs to my brother. He will want it back in a week or so."
"You will have it before then," Philip promised, stepping out of the kitchen.
He turned the Theodosia, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I promise I'll visit you as soon as I can. Maybe tomorrow, while your father is at work."
"I am looking forward to it already." Theodosia smiled.
Philip left Richard's house, having his own jacket hanging off of his arm. The borrowed one was warmer than his, so the walk home was less miserable than the walk there. As he stepped into his own house, he couldn't stop worrying about his friend. He knew Richard well, and he knew Richard never acted like that. He was too distant to be like the man he was used to. Too formal.
Maybe it is only because of Theodosia. He has always acted different around ladies. Philip lied on his bed, grabbing his school books and beginning to scribble away. He didn't notice his younger brother until he sat on the edge of the bed, effectively knocking his book onto the floor.
"What do you want, Alex?" Philip grumbled, reaching down to retrieve the book.
"Was that Theodosia? The girl you told me about?"
The older boy only nodded, flipping through to find his page again.
"Because she was here yesterday and said she was with Richard. Are you sure she isn't cheating on you?"
"I'm sure. She only said that so mom and dad wouldn't know about us," Philip told his younger brother, annoyed with the boy's tendency to stick his nose into others' business.
"Richard acted odd, too. I think he likes her."
"He does not. Now, leave me alone." Philip waved a hand at Alex, wanting to use some less-than-polite phrasing.
Alexander Jr. shrugged, standing up. He walked out of the shared bedroom, leaving his brother with only, "If you say so."