Page 160 of Dukes for Dessert

Footmen rushed forward to relieve them of their cloaks. She hesitated and then shrugged out of the green muslin garment, feeling entirely naked, even as she was fully concealed in her armor, piecemeal, and black breeches.

“Quite scandalous donning breeches,” Herbie muttered.

Yes. But then, it was the least scandalous thing she’d done yet this evening, and would do for the remainder of it.

He looked as though he wished to say more on it but then Carol quelled his words with another dark look.

Then, the butler led them toward the noise filtering from deep within the townhouse. The ballroom. Her heart sped up, a thrill that had nothing to do with the excitement likely filling every other unwed, young lady present. Those ladies would be seeking stolen kisses and the promise of a mere taste of passion.

Theodosia had only one manner of theft on her mind…and had for the better part of a fortnight.

Carol slowed her step and Theodosia adjusted her stride to match the pace set by her friend. “You’re blinking.”

“Of course I’m blinking,” Theodosia muttered. Except she knew what her friend meant.

“Oh, come, you know what I mean.” Yes, those rapid, too many blinks that had made her a deplorable liar as a child.

Did you steal your brother’s biscuit? Blinkblinkblink.

Did you cut up your brother’s shirt and stitch a gown for your pug? Blinkblinkblink.

Did you—

Carol caught her hand. She passed her gaze over her face. “You’ve…we’ve, worked through all the details.”

Theodosia looked after Herbie and the butler…of course wildly—blinking. “I’ll not be discovered,” she said, not sure if she sought to convince herself or Carol.

“You’ll be in and then you’ll be gone.” The driver had, of course, been instructed to wait at the opposite end of the street for Lady Theodosia and Carol. Her faithful friend would forego the evening’s fun for her.

“It shall go perfectly smoothly.” She shifted her weapon to her other hand.

Carol took her by the other and pulled her down after Herbie, who stood in wait beside the butler, a pained expression revealed even through the black domino he’d donned as…a king’s jester. It really was the perfect costume for the ever-worrying Herbie.

At last, they reached the ballroom and Theo became an interloper from the enemy family, hidden by a mask and some armor and a carefully conceived plan. And as she slipped into the ballroom alongside Carol and Herbie, gay laughter and the thrum of the orchestra blared loud, nearly deafening in its exuberance.

For a moment, she allowed herself, who’d been far too serious for far too long with her hopelessly unfortunate family to forget that she’d snuck in uninvited, to steal the host’s ancient weapon.

Er…her family’s ancient weapon. For the promise she’d made Herbie to steal her sword and be on her way, she’d allow herself but a small moment to enjoy the evening’s festivities. Purely to avoid attracting notice is all.

Yes, that was it.

“You said you were leaving,” Herbie hissed.

“Do hush.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You’ve injured my feelings.”

He frowned. “It wasn’t my intention.”

She’d merely been teasing him. She knew he wasn’t trying to be unkind, but rather feared the duplicitous role he’d agreed to. “Do not worry, I’ll slip out and then you’ll…”

“Yes, yes, I know my role.” Sweat dotted his high forehead. Obviously, the fear of being discovered stealing something from the Devil Duke was a far more egregious offense than agreeing to secret her into the duke’s home. All entirely accurate.

“I shall meet you in the foyer,” Carol said from the side of her mouth.

Everyone knew his or her respective roles.

“Now, go,” she ordered brother and sister. It wouldn’t do for them to be discovered speaking or together…but for the end…when she was triumphant in her plan.

Herbie sprinted off, entirely too eager, by her thinking, to be free of her.

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