Dom slid a glance at her. “Well, it was. Matt practically shoved me behind a plant. As it was, I had to cling to the edge of the room to get to you.”
She drew her lush bottom lip between her teeth for a moment. “You are safe now.”
The open doors beckoned not only him. Other guests stood taking a breath of the cooler air. “The ballroom is warm.”
Thea leaned into him a bit. “It is rather cooler out here.”
Dom looked around for some nook or place in the shadows where he could have her to himself, but at least half of the guests were out here. Damn. He escorted Thea to the end of the terrace, and still had no luck. Lanterns lit the gardens, which were also full of people.
He tested the latch on one of the parlor doors leading out to the terrace. Finally. Yet when he pushed it open, he heard a muffled scream and closed it again. Everyone was conspiring against him.
Next to him Thea’s shoulders shook with laughter. “I do not think we are meant to be alone at present.” She stood on the tips of her toes, cupping his ear. “Do not forget, we have all night.”
Clasping his arm around her waist, he held her against him and willed himself to relax. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m so agitated.”
“I do. You got to play knight in shining armor today and didn’t even receive a proper kiss for your trouble.” She placed her hand on his face, turning it toward her.
As he bent his head, the sounds of light giggles and a lower voice chuckling reached him. Damnation, more people.
Thea turned in Dom’s arms. “Harry?”
A tall young man with black hair approached. Louisa on one arm and Charlotte on the other. “In the flesh.” He grinned. “The ladies thought I’d find you out here somewhere.”
“As well as most of the other guests,” Thea replied tartly. “Dom, this is my scapegrace brother, Harry.”
Dom held out his hand, which Harry grasped in a strong grip. “Pleasure to meet you. I thought you weren’t due in until tomorrow sometime.”
“After a couple of hours in the coach with the children”—he gave them a rueful look—“I hired a horse and decided to press on.”
Thea stilled. “You didn’t leave them, did you?”
“Good God, no. Mama would have had my head. I just couldn’t stand the racket anymore. Not to mention Stephen insisting he be allowed to sit up with the coachman.”
Charlotte laughed. “When my brothers and sisters were traveling to Town, Daisy, our Great Dane you know, tried to make friends with a pair of horses. Their tutor decided they would not spend the night on the road.”
Harry laughed with her, then glanced at Thea. “I say, Dotty, is it really the thing for Dom to have his arm around you like that?”
“No,” Thea said grudgingly, “I suppose not.”
Recalled to the proprieties, Dom placed her hand on his arm instead.
Louisa gave Thea a sympathetic look. “We’ve come to fetch you. Your mothers are ready to leave.”
Dom stifled his sigh of relief. That was the best news he’d had all night.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dotty sat on a chair as Polly unpinned her hair, before combing it. A prickling sensation ran across her shoulders.Dom.Lately she always knew when he was near. “Thank you. You may go to bed. It’s late.”
Her maid yawned. “I’ll bid you good night then.”
“Pleasant dreams.”
The moment the door closed behind Polly, Dotty was in Dom’s arms.
“Thea.” His tongue traced her outer ear. “I’ve been waiting all day for this.”
She slid her arms around his shoulders. “As have I.”
