Page 83 of How to Wed a Courtesan

She gave a lovely laugh that made his heart soar.

‘Perhaps I shall tell you three dozen more times before we return home, then.’

‘And will you not find me beautiful when we return home?’ she teased, with that playful banter he’d always found so enticing.

‘Quite the contrary,’ he replied. ‘But then, instead of telling you, I can show you.’

Her cheeks flushed as they twirled by one of the other couples who had joined them on the dance floor.

After a magical time, the music wound down to a close.

‘Thank you for a wonderful waltz, husband,’ Lottie said with a curtsey as he bowed.

‘I assure you, my love, the pleasure was all mine.’

He saw her from the dance floor, and Eleanor greeted her with eagerness.

‘It warms my heart see you both looking so happy,’ Eleanor effused.

‘Thank you for hosting this ball—even though it isn’t supposed to be for us,’ Evander said with a wink.

Eleanor laughed. ‘Saying it was for you would have been far too much pressure.’

Lottie offered her a grateful smile. ‘It’s truly lovely, Eleanor. Thank you.’

But Eleanor waved her off. ‘Come, you must try this cake. Violet says she’s never had anything more decadent in her life.’

Lottie flashed a grin at Evander before she was whisked away.

Lord Kentworth approached him half a second later, a nearly finished drink in his hand. Evander was certain the glass did not contain lemonade, despite its innocent appearance.

‘I daresay I’ve never seen you smile quite this much before,’ Kentworth said.

Evander looked after his stunning wife with a pride that made his chest swell. ‘I’ve waited a long time for her.’

‘Was she worth it?’ Kentworth studied him for a moment, then straightened. ‘Judging by your face, I would say she was.’

‘When can we expect you to wed, Kentworth?’ Evander turned back to his friend.

The other man scoffed. ‘No one wants this drunken lout for a husband, any more than I want a nagging wife. I’ll be fine as I am, with my late-night jaunts and the like.’ He lifted his brows in a suggestive manner. ‘Though I did want to ask you about your mining investment. I hear it’s becoming quite lucrative...’

Evander tried to hide his surprise. ‘I didn’t realise you were interested in investments.’

‘I dally from time to time.’ Kentworth lifted a shoulder. ‘We’ve spoken on it before, I believe. After you returned from your travels.’

Had they? Evander prodded his memory. Ah, yes, there it was.

How shameful that he had forgotten and Kentworth had remembered. But now that he considered the chum he’d gone to university with so many years ago, he noticed how the other man’s eyes were clear, his cheeks not yet flushed.

Clearly he was on his first drink of the night, and Kentworth always was a different man without liquor.

‘I’m afraid,’ Evander replied, ‘it would appear my fellow investors found my current lifestyle rather disagreeable and we have parted ways.’

Kentworth’s eyes narrowed shrewdly and Evander knew he understood to what he referred.

‘That’s rather unfortunate,’ he replied.

‘Indeed.’ Evander kept his face blank in the hopes Kentworth wouldn’t see how even the recollection tugged at his ire. ‘However, prior to our parting of ways it was a profitable investment. One I’d recommend for certain.’