Page 27 of A Duchess to Unravel
Theo rolled her eyes and handed it back to Mr. Harold.
“Discard that for me, would you? And I shall take supper in my rooms this evening. Around five would be good. Ask the cook for something light. Perhaps just some fruit and toast.”
She paused then said, “You know, never mind. Just some tea, please.”
“Beg your pardon, Miss Theo, but did you lunch while you were out?” Mr. Harold asked.
Theo raised a brow.
“No.”
The elderly butler gave her a kind, respectful look.
“If I may be so bold, Miss Theo, might I insist the cook prepare you just a little something? You did not take much at breakfast.”
Theo studied him. The man had been with their family since she was but a little girl, as most of their servants had. She knew he was only looking after her, but it bothered her that the entire house seemed to be watching her so closely.
“Fruit and toast then,” she conceded. Not that she would eat it.
“Of course, Miss Theo,” Mr. Harold replied, bowing respectfully.
She walked away then, shaking her head at her utter lack of privacy.
Always being watched,she thought with a sigh.As she ascended the stairs Theo remembered she still held the second message, and opened it. Her steps slowed then stopped completely halfway up, her annoyance transforming into fury.
I am not to be disobeyed. Accept my proposal or be ruined.
A.
A. Alistair. Ithadto be Alistair.
“You wretched monster,” she mumbled, crumbling the letter with her fist. “Perhaps Rose was right about you after all.”
CHAPTER SIX
“Jolly good effort there, old boy,” Dominic praised, clapping Alistair on the back.
“Effort?” Hugo chortled. “He obliterated. He obliterated all of us.”
“Not me,” Everett pointed out, slurring as he poured himself another drink. “I remained seated with my drink as I knew I stood no chance.”
Alistair, along with Tristan, Hugo, and Dominic, all chuckled as they poured their sore, sweat-soaked bodies into chairs. He’d been invited along to box with them after a day spent in meetings. They’d warmed up all together, then matched. Dominic with Tristan, Hugo with Alistair. Tristan and Hugo first lost, then again when Tristan switched to oppose Alistair and Dominic to oppose Hugo. Twice defeated, Hugo and Tristan then sat out as Dominic and Alistair went their rounds.
Alistair noted their differing styles. Hugo fought more from the heart. Dominic, his most intense opponent, fought with both head and heart. He was also closest in size and had nearly bested Alistair.Nearly.
Tristan was the most logical and calm with his punches- even though Alistair picked up a sense of fury straining to be withheld. Even though the man was keeping it well hidden, Alistair had seen emotion flicker through the man’s eyes when he’d thrown his punches. He suspected that the man was not as at-ease with how Alistair went after Theo the other night as he wanted to seem.
Alistair could not blame him for that. He did not exactly operate as a gentleman that night. Even he had been surprised at his own forwardness with her. There was just something about the woman that brought out a side of him that he was normally so good at keeping under control.
“I appreciate you all including me this evening,” Alistair stated presently, accepting a drink from Everett, “It is good to get a row in every now and then. Keeps the head clear.”
“Indeed, it does,” Tristan agreed his tone clipped. He waved off a drink from Everett as he toweled off his sweat, then stood and reached for his shirt.
“You are not leaving already, are you?” Everett asked him, looking at Tristan as if he’d betrayed him.
“I must,” Tristan sighed, getting dressed.
“The eligible gentlemen I invited were all put off by my sister’s behavior last night. So now I must try to devise another way for her to find a suitor.” Alistair detected the annoyance, perhaps even desperation in Tristan’s voice.
