Beneath his lashes, Leo watched Theo. It didn’t surprise him that she would be given a moniker. “The Elusive” was more apt than she realized. Without her really knowing it, she was being closely guarded. He didn’t blame her family at all. Over the years, they had experienced quite a bit of drama and danger during their come outs. Charlotte, Alice, and Dotty Merton had all been abducted. A deranged former mine manager had tried to murder Eleanor Montagu. A scion of a wealthy family on the Continent had followed Augusta Carter-Woods on her travels with the intent of forcing her into marriage. It was no wonder at all that Worthington was keeping a close eye on Theo. Leo had even been told that Kenilworth had had a private talk with Thanet, explaining exactly what would happen to him if he was found anywhere near her. The last Leo had heard, the man had taken himself off to France for the next few months.
The clock chimed the hour, and everyone rose to do last-minute preparations before they left for the ball. Leo’s valet had brought his tooth power and brush, and an extra cravat if one was needed.
He met up with Theo on the landing between the wings. “I haven’t had the opportunity to tell you how beautiful you are this evening.” And she was. Her gown was a buttery yellow trimmed with lilac ribbons and small seed pearls. She wore the same strand of pearls she had the other evening as well as matching earrings. Dark curls framed her face. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. Claim her as his own. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes, thank you.” They started down the stairs. “You do not have to compliment me.”
“Oh, but I do.” He was afraid if he said more, he’d scare her off. They reached the hall where some of her sisters were already chatting, and he decided to take a chance. “I have just been told that I do not have to compliment Lady Theo on her beauty. What say you ladies?”
Charlotte slid him a sly look. “When a gentleman thinks a lady that he knows is in good looks, it is incumbent upon him to tell her.”
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Merton agreed. “It is good for one’s disposition.”
Disposition?
“Yes,” Alice said. “Gentlemen should be encouraged in this type of gallantry.”
Her twin, Eleanor Montagu, almost rolled her eyes. “I agree. Gentlemen should be rewarded for good behavior.”
Madeline Stern stared at her sisters for a moment, then appeared to understand the task. “I must agree with everyone. Accept the compliment and be happy.”
“Especially dukes,” Louisa Rothwell said.
Theo stared at her sister. “Why especially dukes?”
Leo would like the answer to that as well.
Her sister gave Theo an innocent look. “Because they are notoriously self-centered.”
“I heard that,” Rothwell said from the stairs. “I defy you to describe me as self-centered.”
His duchess reached out and took his hand. “Not you, my darling. Dukes in general.”
Leo was about to say something in his defense, when Theo said, “You just insulted Chandos. Louisa, you should apologize.”
“I was not referring to him either. Simply dukes in general.”
Worthington came out and ordered them all to the carriages. As they were walking out, Louisa Rothwell winked at Leo as she strolled past him. Well, she had made Theo defend him. He’d have to thank her later.
Their party was one of the first to arrive. Still, they received stares of interest, and it was most likely that he was with the family. Nothing said a betrothal was imminent like a single gentleman arriving with an unmarried lady. However, Theo took no notice.
Shortly before the dancing was to begin, two gentlemen made their way to Worthington who, in turn, brought them to Theo and the men were introduced. Leo knew the Earl of Bolingbroke from school. The man was a few years older than Leo. Lord Ashford, a baron, was about Leo’s age, but must not have attended the same school. Bolingbroke gracefully accepted the set he’d been given. Feversham had not yet arrived to claim the first set.
Ashford was another matter. “I wish for the supper dance, my lady.”
“The supper set is already taken, my lord.” Her tone was gentle, but one could feel the steel underneath it. “If my partner for the first set does not arrive in time, you may have that one.”
“In that case, I want the supper set at the next ball you attend.”
“Oh?” Like her sister, Theo widened her eyes innocently. “And which ball is that, my lord?”
Everyone in the family became silent.
His chest puffed out. “If you tell me which ball it is, I shall be there.”
That was enough. “Ashford is it?”
The man turned to Leo. “Who might you be?”
