Eloise was fumming, Kate and Anthony were keeping their space, and Theo was positively confused.

"Are you all right?" he asked, leaning down.

The anger clouding her mind vanished so quickly Eloise nearly jumped backwards. His face had become so close in a matter of seconds. She attempted to keep her fragile composure with a nervous smile.

"Depends on your definition of the words." Her voice wavered with nervous notes. She blamed the sudden warmth in her stomach.

Theo raised a questioning brow, tilting his head at her. "You look as though you have something to say." Damn him for being able note that. "Am I allowed to listen to those thoughts?"

There would have been something poetic in the line, and Eloise likely would have acknowledged it, but her mind had gone back to Penelope. The rage memoires brought had returned.

"I need to tell you something important," she said, casting a wary glance over her shoulder at Kate and Anthony. The two were absorbed in a conversation - or an argumentative banter - between themselves. Eloise then looked back to Theo and lowered her voice. "Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown."

Shock filled his face, sending his brows so high they nearly disappeared in the hair on his forehead, and causing his eyes to widen. Eloise would later allow herself to admit he had looked rather adorable.

He struggled to form and find words. "That is . . . insanity," he eventually got out. The Bridgerton nodded in agreement. A thought dawned on him then. "Did she not apologise in one of her latest papers?"

Bitterness settled on Eloise's features. "Yes," she confirmed, tone containing hatred. "But it will take a lot more than that to clean the mess she caused."

Theo retained from pushing further, he did not want to see what an enraged Eloise Bridgerton would do to him. A lot of curses would be thrown, that was for certain. He swiftly changed the conversation by mentioning a book.

Her mood brightened instantly.

A few days later, when Theo returned from another stroll with Eloise, Lady Hawthorne informed him of his brother's arrival. "He's with the girls dear," she told him.

Theo was running towards the room. The door was a crack open and he could hear the voices of the gentlemen trying to gain the hand of the diamond. It occurred, momentarily, to Theo that he ought to help Alison with choosing someone, but he was far too excited to see his brother.

A body was slamming into him the moment he entered. "Brother!" Tom shouted in joy. Theo laughed and returned the hug.

"Hello you -" He caught himself from saying rat bastard, endearing as he might have been when saying it. Theo knew Lady Hawthorne would not approve. "How has the world been?" he asked instead. It was how their mother had greeted them when they came home.

Tom smiled, and his brother noticed how he'd grown since last they'd seen each other. Tom had grown taller, sturdier, and now looked much more like the father they had once shared. With hazel eyes and raven hair, Tom had become reasonably handsome.

"Rather well," Tom answered.

"Do you two mind leaving the room?" Lady Hawthorne asked upon entering. "Unless you plan to supervise?" She looked at Theo as she said the words.

He smiled, "Come on brother, let's talk in the study."

"Any interesting tales to tell from the academy?" Theo inquired as he closed the study door. He'd already sent for some tea and biscuits.

Tom threw himself onto an armchair by the window. "None as intriguing as what has gone on with you, brother," he replied with a smile. His elder brother laughed as he took a seat on the window sill. Curiosity entered Tom's tone when he spoke again. "Can I ask why the original Duke of Issacson put you as heir, even though you're not officially his?" He kept his voice down, should anyone be on the other side of the door.

A knock sounded on door, a mere second later. A maid entered and set the tray of tea and biscuits on the small table between the brothers. Once she had left, Theo began talking, keeping his voice to a whisper.

"That is the exact question that has been bothering me." He bit into a biscuit. "As far as I know, the old duke had three brothers, and they all had one or two sons. So why did he choose his bastard as heir?"

Tom winced, "Such rough language isn't a must brother."

"It doesn't matter how you phrase it; I'm still an illegitimate son at the end of the day. Which tosses a barrel of insanity on his decision. If anyone - especially that Lady Whistledown woman - uncovers the truth, then anyone carrying the Hawthorne name is doomed for the pits of hell. Which will be gladly provided by all the ton themselves."

"Perhaps there are more serious things at play," Tom suggested. "Have you talked with Lady Hawthorne about any of this?"

Theo leaned back, resting against the closed window. "I have intention to, but I cannot find a way to bring the topic up."

"Better find a way soon, else we might be at constant danger, who knows who has answers and who is searching for them."

"You are right."

"I'm always right."

An amused brow was raised in reply.

A few beats of silence before Theo spoke again.

"Oh, and Tom," he said, causing his brother give him a questioning look, "Lady Hawthorne prefers to be called Avery. Do not question, just do so."

His brother laughed and agreed. They spent he afternoon talking about all that had changed and the past they were forced to leave behind.