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“I’ll be right back.”
I felt like a bumbling idiot. I was stammering and blushing like a schoolgirl meeting her rock idol. I needed to get myself together. This was just part of the process.
He returned to the table with two small plates. “I got a little of everything,” he said.
“Thank you.”
I picked up a small pastry and took a bite, savoring the flavor. I felt so strange sitting down and eating with a stranger.
But there was something about Theo that made me feel comfortable. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, like he was really listening. Or maybe it was the way he made me laugh earlier. Whatever it was, I found myself relaxing in his company.
The next few weeks might not be so bad. I was still not thinking about falling in love with anyone, but I could tolerate him. That was more than I had hoped for.
As we continued to talk and eat, Theo’s eyes lingered on me. It was almost as if he was studying me, trying to memorize every detail of my face. I found it flattering and a little unnerving all at once.
“You know,” he said, breaking the silence. “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how tonight was going to go. I was nervous about meeting you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”
“Because I already scared one of you off,” he said, laughing.
“It’s not you.”
“Thanks,” he said with a flash of a smile. “I know you’re not looking for love, but I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
I smiled but said nothing.
11
THEO
As I stood in the circle driveway of Lady Hamilton’s grand home, the echo of the evening’s masquerade ball still lingering in the air, my thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. Emilie seemed pretty eager to get the hell away from me. I was trying not to take it personal, but it was tough. She seemed pretty damn intent on not liking me.
“I’ll see you at the picnic,” I said.
She offered a tight smile. “Yes. I’ll be there.”
I opened the door to her limo and she climbed in. I closed the door and watched the car pull away. I let out a long sigh and contemplated the evening. I stood alone, surrounded by the stately beauty of the estate under a canopy of stars.
My feelings about my match with Emilie were mixed, to say the least. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on, with a fiery, Type-A personality that left a big impression. She was determined not to like me. She seemed to want to be miserable. The woman seemed to be the type of person who could stick to her guns once she made up her mind. In this case, she had made up her mind not to like me.
As I gazed out at the property, the grandeur of the estate impressed me. It was a world of luxury and privilege, a world that held promises and expectations. I wasn’t sure I could live up to them. I understood why so many people left the season feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. It was a lot. It was always a show.
“Mr. Ashford.”
I jumped and turned to see Lady Hamilton. She had managed to sneak up on me with a quiet grace.
“Lady Hamilton,” I said, nodding. “You’re very stealthy.”
She smiled under the faint light coming from the old-fashioned streetlamps that lined the driveway. “My mother insisted a lady always have a light step.”
“It worked.”
“Did you enjoy your evening?”
“It was nice,” I said, nodding with a smile.
“Oh dear, nice doesn’t sound nice at all.”
