Page 29 of A Duchess to Unravel
As if Tristan was remembering for the first time they were now indeed business partners, he loosened his tense stance and gave a furtive look to his friends to let him go. They looked at him dubiously but obliged.
“Apologies, Alistair,” he said tersely, “My friends are correct. I do tend to get a bit protective of my sister.”
Alistair nodded and took a step back. When he did so Tristan returned to getting dressed as he said, “Which is why, though generous, I am politely declining your offer to marry her. No offense at all, but she has shared with me that she finds you quite loathsome.”
Alistair’s lips twitched. He could detect a hint of truth in Tristan’s statement but even so, he was sure the man was saying so to get one last swipe at him.
“Of course, well, we would not want her married to someone she finds loathsome, would we?” He replied, getting his own swipe in.
Tristan’s eyes darkened as Alistair said ‘we’, but he nodded.
“Indeed,” he agreed.
“Come in. What is it?” Alistair called, shrugging out of his shirt.
It was late, and he had just arrived home from the club. After Tristan had left, Hugo and Dominic, even Everett, had felt the need to apologize repeatedly for Tristan’s outburst; stating repeatedly that it was not like him. Alistair had assured them over and over that their new business was not in jeopardy, but it was only after he’d bought them multiple drinks and gotten them thoroughly foxed that they had finally let the issue go.
“Apologies for the interruptions, Your Grace,” Robert, Alistair’s butler replied, opening the door. “But there is a lady downstairs for you, insisting that she speak to you right away.”
Alistair’s brow rose with intrigue, then he frowned. Robert had told him that there had been several callers seeking his audience.All of them older ladies, leaving him messages to consider an outing with their daughters.
God, do not let it be another mother,he silently prayed.
“What sort of lady?” Alistair asked.
“Young. Comely. Small scar under her eye.”
Alistair’s agitation vanished and he could not help but smirk. If Tristan only knew where his sister was, he’d be losing his mind.
“I shall see her,” Alistair replied, already walking toward Robert.
“Your Grace, wait,” Robert said hastily, holding up a hand, stopping him, “You cannot go downstairs like that!”
Alistair chortled and walked around his butler.
“She is the one who has come to my home in the middle of the night, Robert. I am not the one that needs to worry about propriety.”
His smirk grew into a satisfied smile as he jogged down the stairs toward a wide-eyed Theo.
“Well, well, look who has decided to take me up on my--”
Alistair’s words were cut off as a ball of paper hit him directly between the eyes. It didn’t hurt, but it stunned him into silence. He looked down at the crumbled thing at his feet, then back up at Theo, who was no longer wide-eyed and blushing, but staring at him in rage.
“Clearly you are not that impressed,” he said dryly, folding his arms over his broad, muscled chest.
“Why would I be?” She quipped back. “You are clearly not that impressive.”
Alistair raised a brow as he took a step toward her. Theo immediately took a step back, her forest green cloak swaying from the quickness.
“That is not what you thought at the Masquerade,” he answered sarcastically.
“Theo’s eyes widened then narrowed, her anger radiating off of her like waves of heat. Alistair dropped hislaissez faireattitude, held up his hands in surrender, and took a step back.
“Pray, Miss Theo, if it is not to take accept my offer, tell me what brings you to my home,” he paused for a moment before adding, “alone and so late.”
Theo pulled an arm from her cloak and pointed to the crumpled paper on the floor, still glaring at him.
“I do not respond to threats, Your Grace. Neither does my brother. You may stand to make my family a fortune but that does not mean you can force me to marry you.”
