“At least she can’t put her fingers in her ears and sing la-la-la.” That’s what his youngest sister used to do.
Alice chucked. “Not at the ball.”
The rest of the day seemed to crawl by. Finally, it was time to leave for the ball, but this time, he would not be accompanying Theo and her family. Even though it was early, a good many guests had already arrived. Leo just had to find a way to get her alone so that they could talk. Or he could talk and make her listen.
Leo scanned the ballroom and couldn’t see his betrothed. Where the devil had she got to? He grabbed Stanwood’s arm. “Theo, do you know where she is?”
He glanced around the room. “No. The last time I saw her she was with Milford. I don’t see him either.”
“I’ll find her.” Before Worthington could answer, Leo headed for the terrace. Milford had been interested in her before she’d been compromised into marrying Leo. It wouldn’t surprise him at all if the man hadn’t given up. After searching the terrace, he went to the ornamental green house. She was there, sitting on a bench staring straight ahead. Milford stood before her. Theo must be more upset than Leo realized to have gone somewhere alone with a gentleman. He opened the door and stepped in.
“I say, Lady Theodora, surely you don’t mean to wed him,” Milford said with certainty. “What kind of husband would he make? Everyone knows his reputation. When you finally throw him over, I want you to know I will be waiting for you.”
The bounder moved closer to Theo and appeared as if he would try to embrace her. Leo had never wanted to murder anyone as much as he did Milford right now. Not least because she had used the same argument when explaining why they should not wed. Striding forward, Leo picked Milford up by his cravat and shook him. “Lady Theo is betrothed to me, and she is going to marry me.” Leo tossed Milford away, clutched Theo’s arm before she could run off, and started walking out of the conservatory almost dragging her behind him. He couldn’t believe a gentleman would attempt to propose to Theo when she was still betrothed to him. Alice was right. It was time they straightened a few things out. “I suggest you ask Lady Lana Grant to dance.”
“I don’t know Lady Lana,” Milford protested.
“Find someone to introduce you. Theo is taken.”Forever.
“Chandos. Stop.” Theo’s voice was tight and angry. “You do not need to pull me along like a recalcitrant child. I will come with you.”
He did as she commanded and offered her his arm. “Very well.”
Casting him a strange look, she placed her fingers on his sleeve. “That is better.”
He’d been in this garden many times in the past since he’d been on the town, but never with someone he loved. Unerringly, he led her to a small fountain with a stone bench and turned her to face him. “Theo, I love you. I think I fell in love with you when you threw that bucket of water on me. I have spent all my time since then becoming the man I should be. Not just for you but for me and the dukedom as well. I have not drunk to excess since last June. I have stopped gambling.”
“Women?” She raised her stubborn chin. “What about your mistress? Everyone knows you have one.”
He stared into her eyes. “Then everyone is wrong. I have not touched a female”—God knew she would parse words with him if he wasn’t clear—“since I left Town last June. I did not attend the Autumn Season because I knew you would not be there.” He dragged a hand down his face then took her hands in his. “I have never before wanted to wed. I have never wanted a wife, but I want you. I want you in my life. Nay, I need you in my life. As my helpmate, the mother to my children, and my duchess. I’ve been trying for weeks to convince you that we would make an excellent match. That we would be happy together.” He searched her eyes for some indication she understood and believed what he was saying. And he finally saw her lapis-blue eyes warm for him. “Theo, please marry me.”
The next thing he knew she was in his arms. “I never could allow myself to believe you had changed. I wanted to. Then I heard about your mistress.”
“And you had to harden your heart toward me?” Leo finally had the missing piece. The reason she’d been cool, almost cold to him. “If I thought it would do any good, I’d announce to the world that I don’t have a mistress.”
“Kiss me.” Theo raised up on her toes.
“Kissing you is the least of what I want to do with you.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I dreamed of you in my bed.” And on his desk, and in the garden, and anywhere else he could make love to her.
Her lips formed a perfect O. “You have?”
“It has practically killed me to watch other men dance with you when all I wanted was you in my arms. Theo, marry me, please.”
She pressed her lips against his jaw. “I will be extremely happy to marry you. I love you. I think I fell in love with you when I first waltzed with you.”
“At Christmas?” That was a surprise.
“Yes. But I was not out, and you had such a bad reputation.”
Damn him and his reputation. He claimed her mouth and stroked his hand down her supple back over her tight derriere. “Two weeks. I know your family will not agree to less time.”
“You have already spoken to Matt?”
“I talked to Stanwood first. I spoke to Worthington after he arrived in Town.” Leo grimaced at his memory of the conversation. “Naturally, he said it was your choice. I was to be given no special consideration for being a duke.”
Theo chuckled lightly. “It is what he always says.” She pressed against Leo and drew him into a searing kiss.
Their tongues danced. He’d spent months wondering what she would taste like. Finally he knew. Parsley and bergamot. Light and fresh. He cupped her breast and caressed it, causing her to press more deeply against him. He wanted her, but he knew he had to stop soon.
