Theo leant back with mock severity. “And yet, I suspect that your innocence is precisely why you are so eager to know.”
She very nearly growled at him. “Did he liken me to an actress? Oh, or did he say something worse?”
“Worse? Oh, infinitely worse.”
“Worse? Do tell! What in God’s name could be worse than that?”
Theo bit the side of his cheek, savouring the moment before he said, “No, I couldn’t possibly say it aloud, Hetty.”
“Tell me, or I shall step upon your foot so hard you’ll yelp like a whipped cur.”
Theo sighed at length, though he could hardly conceal his smile. “Very well. He went on about your – how shall I put this – your bosom being the talk of the town. Said he nearly choked on his wine when you passed by, as if your… endowments might just announce themselves before you did.”
Hetty’s cheeks flushed crimson. “Good heavens! What a cad! And what else did he say?”
Theo’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Oh, he had no shortage of imagination. He described you strutting about as if you were queen of Babylon herself. Chin high, and – how did he put it? – ‘nipples out like the whole city was watching.’ And, if that wasn’t enough, he fancied every gentleman present was picturing your legs in the air.”
Hetty’s eyes widened in horror as her entire face flushed. “Oh.”
Theo bit down on his lower lip to stop from laughing.
“And what,precisely,would legs in the air signify?”
At that, Theo’s laughter broke free.
“That is most unfair!” Hetty exclaimed, swatting at him.
His laughter softened as he caught the hurt flicker across her face. “Forgive me, I should not mock your innocence. Though it is rather endearing.” He settled back with a more sober air. “But would you rather I had suffered that scoundrel to continue his vile prattle unchecked?”
“No,” she said after a beat. “But perhaps next time you might consider employing your words, rather than your fists. Truly, Theo – a punch? Really? It made you appear passionate and emotional, as though you’d flown into a rage over me.” She paused. “How dreadfully feminine of you.”
He looked up sharply.
“Yes, dear Theo…they say women are ruled by our tempers. At least when I scandalise Society, I do so with a little finesse. You, on the other hand, appear to have mistaken the ballroom for a boxing ring.”
His jaw ticked. “The man insulted you.”
“Oh, I am now aware. But now thetonis equally aware that Lord Langley will strike a man down in defence of my honour, as though it were his sacred charge. How dreadfully romantic. One might almost believe you truly care for me.”
“I do care for you, Hetty – you must know that.”
She faltered. “Yes, well… not in the manner thetonwould like to believe. I thought we had an understanding.”
“I agreed to help ruin your prospects, not to sit idly by whilst some over-titled wretch dragged your name through the mud.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand. “If that’s muddied your little scheme, Hetty, so be it. Let them think as they will.”
“They believe you are in love with me.”
“Would that be such a tragedy?”
Hetty blinked.
“Do you not suppose,” he continued, “that they might have reached the same conclusion had we been discovered in the midst of a passionate kiss?”
“We were not going to kiss, Theo.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Well, I had certainly intended to kiss you, Hetty Tolliver.”
