Page 49 of A Duchess to Unravel
Theo’s shoulders dropped as she gave Amelia an exasperated look, and her friend laughed.
“Come! You are bold! You take charge! You are a bluestocking! You fear no man’s rebuttal.” Amelia said, looping her arm through Theo’s.
As the two of them walked downstairs to the dining room, Theo thought of Amelia’s words. Those things might have been true of her at one time, but with Alistair? She realized she wantedhimto take the lead.
Theo’s nerves were frazzled by the time she and Amelia made it to the dining room, and they became even more so at Alistair’s greeting. His handsome smile was wide and sincere as she and Amelia joined him and Dominic. His blue eyes raked down her body in obvious appreciation, making her happy that she’d chosen one of her more decorative gowns for the occasion.
However, it was not her husband that came to her first, but Everett.
“Goodness, are you not a sight for sore eyes,” he exclaimed, stepping in front of Alistair.
He grabbed her hand and gave her a twirl.
“Your brother will be happy to know you look so well.”
Theo giggled, happy to see another familiar face.
“I am glad you think so. It is good to see you too, Lord Harriden,” she replied.
Theo turned to Alistair and could have sworn she saw a glimmer of possessiveness in his eyes.
“Darling wife, my do ye look exquisite this evening,” he praised, walking up to her to take her hand.
“You both do,” Dominic said, reaching for Amelia’s.
Theo had to stop her mouth from dropping open at her husband’s comment. After two weeks of not speaking, he was praising her? She had to wonder if it was because of Everett’s words. Did Alistair even care that much to be jealous?
“Flatterers,” Amelia teased.
When Theo still said nothing, she felt her friend nudge her in the ribs.
“Thank you,” she blurted out.
Alistair chuckled, and leaned down to kiss the top of her head as if they were that familiar.
“I believe my wife is mad at me,” he stated, gesturing them all to sit at the table.
“Too many long hours in your office?” Dominic asked, giving him rueful grin.
“Indeed,” Alistair replied, “And in town. Meetings with the merchants and farmers, trying to get this mess my predecessor left sorted.”
“Coming to the ball I am hosting next week will remedy that,” Everett stated, “You both could use a break from your tasks, I am sure.”
Theo’s brows rose in surprise. She had no idea Alistair had even left the castle. It cooled her frustration, but only a little.
“Youare having a ball?” She goaded Everett. “You never host!”
“Yes,” Everett sighed, taking his seat. “Well, change is in the air. And you are coming.”
Theo opened her mouth, ready to decline, but Alistair spoke first.
“Yes, we are,” he said, eyeing her up.
Theo snapped her mouth shut, enraged that he had spoken for the both of them. Still, she remembered that such liberties were part of their deal, and she kept her discontent to herself. Instead, she turned her focus back to Alistair.
“Do tell us of the progress you have made,” she urged as the others began to eat.
Alistair, who was seated at the head of the table and to her right, turned his gaze to her.
