The sound of her footstep on the floor drew his attention to her. His eyes widened, darkening. His lips parted and Harriet saw him brush his fingers through his hair, smoothing it as he stepped towards her.
He looked at her in a way that made her feel like he had never seen anything like it. She smiled at him as she turned, showing him the full view. Every part of her skin was covered in gooseflesh, the way he looked at her made her feel like his hand was running across her skin.
“What do you think?” She was more breathless than she expected as she completed her circle and looked up into his face.
He had moved closer as she had turned. He blinked once, shook himself. She watched his mouth open and close. Her fingers moved towards his face, a half-formed quip on her lips. One of the attendants dropped something behind her, the noise making Harriet jump.
When she turned back, Theodore was still drinking her in with his eyes. She smiled at him. “I take it you approve?”
He nodded slowly, and Harriet felt the thrill of it rush through her. She straightened even more, her shoulders back as she turned from and began to walk towards the dressing room.
When she had changed back into her dress, she joined Theodore at the counter. He turned to face her as she approached, the smallest of smiles playing across his lips.
“I have asked the modiste to have several more gowns made in a similar style. You and I will be attending more events, and you mentioned you had not ordered many gowns. You wear blue and yellow rather often, and some pinks. You also seem drawn to the red though you do not often wear it, but I noticed the way youreyes lingered on the red fabric in the display and I thought it would look striking on you. Though of course, if you do not feel these are suitable, you may change them. The modiste assures me that my selection would suit you well, but I will defer to your judgement.”
Harriet swallowed. “I had not realized that you paid such close attention to me.”
Theodore shrugged, and made a dismissive gesture, his fingers tapping the counter beside him. “I take great care to observe the world around me, to catalogue what is important and save it to memory.”
Does this mean I am important?The question pressed against her lips but she could not bring herself to ask it. “Red is my favorite color.”
Theodore nodded slowly. “Then you should wear it more often.”
Harriet bit her bottom lip. She loved red, but it was the sort of color that drew attention, that made people talk. It was bold and ostentatious and more than a little risqué. Other people wore red dresses, other women were bold and brave. Other women commanded the attention of rooms, not her.
“You should be seen, Harriet.” Theodore moved closer to her, his voice so low that only she could hear. “You do not need to hide who you are.”
Harriet looked up at him, her lip quivering, a lump forming in her throat that she did not understand.
The modiste cut through the moment. “His Grace has a fine eye, Duchess.”
Harriet nodded, the power of speech apparently beyond her.
“I have also ordered Phoebe some new dresses.” Theodore’s voice pulled Harriet somewhat from her stupor as she looked at the drawings he was pointing to. “I thought these would be more practical than some of her day clothes, and that it would be good to have a riding habit or two. I have requested that they be styled after your own, I thought it might be nice for her.”
It is the sort of thing mothers and daughters do.An ache spread in Harriet’s chest and she reached for Theodore’s hand, catching it in her own. “I think it is perfect.”
The words felt insubstantial. How could she tell him just how much this meant? How could she put what she was feeling into words?
“Thank you.” She squeezed his fingers, and he stilled, his face split into a half smile.
“You do not need to thank me.” His fingers twitched beneath hers. “I am only giving you what you deserve.”
CHAPTER 20
“That went even better than I had hoped.” Harriet beamed as she brushed her fingers against Theodore’s arm.
He forced himself not to still at her touch, the warmth of it sending tingles across his body. He suppressed a shiver, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile.
They were standing at the edge of the dancefloor in the ballroom of Coldmere manor. He could feel the eyes of everyone on them, and he could not blame them.
Harriet looked like a goddess. She wore a pearl necklace that he had given her. It had belonged to his mother, and as he had given it to her, his heart had soared. Every time her fingers touched the delicate pearls, he felt as though it was his skin she was touching.
Unconsciously, he shifted his weight, squeezing a knot in his shoulder. A lock of hair fell across Harriet’s face, but before he could brush it away, she did.
She was looking around the room, tapping her foot against the floor in time to the music. “I think we should talk to the Greyfallows next, the Earl and his wife are old family friends. They have many business connections, and I happen to know that the Earl at least is rather fond of riding.”
Theodore did not follow Harriet’s gaze. He did not want to stop looking at her, not even for a second. She was still tapping her foot in time with the music, not quite swaying.
