“Ah.” Rochford dropped his quizzer. “I see the problem. Have you reserved a set with her?”
“The supper dance.” He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. The music started. She moved so gracefully. Just like she did everything else.
“That was good thinking.” His friend remained quiet for a moment or two. “You’re going to drive yourself mad doing that.”
“Ask if she has a set left.” At least he knew he could trust Rochford with Theo.
He chuckled. “I’ll ask, but there’s a fairly long line of gentlemen waiting to stand up with her.”
Leo glanced toward Worthington. That was a true statement. “You’ll have to approach her immediately upon her return.”
“Very well.” Rochford heaved a sigh. “That won’t give you much relief.”
Leo glanced at his friend. “Marrow has a set with her as well. That only leaves two more dances before the supper set.”
“You really have been thinking about this. What happens after supper? There are still more sets.”
“Worthington makes them leave after supper.” Thank God for small favors. He focused on Theo again.
St. Albans and his lady joined them. “Chandos, people are noticing.”
“What?” Reluctantly, he glanced at the man.
“That you are staring at Theo.” Lady St. Albans shook her head. “You must stop. Nothing is going to happen to her on the dance floor. She knows not to go off with anyone.”
“I know.” Intellectually, he knew. Yet, he couldn’t stop some other part of him from wanting to protect her.
“We have all been through it.” St. Albans had a wry smile on his face. “You feel like you wish you had a sword to run the bounder through. Or be able to carry her off on your faithful charger.”
That was it exactly. “Yes.”
“Lady St. Albans gave her husband a fond look. “I had no idea.”
He nodded and patted her hand. “I will guarantee you that all your brothers by marriage experienced the same thing.”
“I am exceedingly glad to know that.” She glanced at Leo. “However, you may not make a scene. This is her first ball. You will have to learn to live with it until she agrees to wed you.”
A sharp sense of frustration struck him, and he closed his eyes for a brief second. “How did you get through it?”
“Not well,” St. Albans muttered. “You’ll feel more the thing during the supper dance. I hear it is a waltz.”
“That’s what I was told as well.” Leo would be able to hold Theo in his arms. That would make him feel better.
“Good evening, Rochford,” her ladyship said. “I did not see you there.”
He laughed. “I am easy to miss when we have Chandos here looking like he wants to start a war.”
“There is that.” She poked his arm. “Come away where you are not so noticeable.”
He followed her to where a group of the family were standing and sitting. Most of the gentlemen were as tall as he was. Lady St. Albans was correct. He would not stand out as much. Theo wouldn’t have appreciated him making a spectacle of himself. “Thank you.”
She glanced at Rochford. “Am I to assume you are going to ask Theo to dance?”
“Yes, my lady.” His lips twitched. “All for a good cause.”
“When she is being escorted back to us, move to the front of the group, bow, and request the set,” Lady St. Albans instructed.
He appeared confused. “I would always bow.”
