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“Of course, my lady,” the butler said, pulling out a stool for me to sit on. He dusted it as best he could with his hands.
“Thank you,” I said and sat down.
They returned to their work, but it was now very quiet. I was obviously impeding them. And it made me wonder what in the world I was doing.
Why had I come down here?
Why was I staying down here?
Evander, my heart answered.
Sighing, I reached for one of the pastries on the table.
“Aphrodite!”
I jumped off the stool, my hand dropping as I turned to meet the face of my brother.
“What on earth are you doing down here?”
I stared. “Sitting?”
He frowned and came over, taking my hand. “We are going back up. You cannot sit with the servants. You are bothering them.”
“I am not,” I lied and turned back to see if anyone would vouch for me. They all looked away. My presence was more disturbing than I’d thought.
“This is very immature.”
“I was merely sitting—”
“You were hiding.” He gave me a look. “You do not want to accept Tristian’s first dance?”
“Does everyone know the contents of my letters?” I frowned.
“Aphrodite, you are my most sensible sister.”
“Liar,” I muttered. “That is Devana.”
He smiled and nodded, and I smacked his arm. “Nevertheless, you have a great deal more sense than other young ladies. Please do not let Evander steal it from you again.”
“I am not—”
“Yes, you are.” He frowned. “You ran, because you are waiting for him. And that in itself is the problem. No gentleman, duke or not, should keep a lady such as yourself waiting. A true gentleman who requests the first dance comes on time to secure that dance. Who is here?”
I said nothing.
“You do not have to accept Tristian, but you still owe him better than to hide.”
“Yes, brother,” I replied.
“Good. Now let us return,” Damon said, offering me his arm.
I accepted it, taking his words to heart as we walked back toward the ball. Evander had been so adamant that I forgive him, that I give him my first dance, but he was not yet here. Even as I returned, I could see his sister with my mother. How had she arrived before him? Were they not coming from the same place?
Gentlemen were supposed to be reliable.
“Lady Aphrodite,” Tristian said, appearing before me. “As always, you are the sun in the room.”
I smiled as Damon released my arm and slowly stepped to the side. “Thank you, sir.”
