Page 96 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
While part of her was unhappy that Aaron had sent Lady Isabella to the same convent Theresa had once called home, she also appreciated that she did not have to compete with her anymore.
Tonight was not the time to think about Lady Isabella, though. It was time to dance with her husband.
Theresa excused herself from Lady Sophia as soon as they made it back to the Duke of Blackthorn and his wife. Aaron had waited patiently enough for her return, and he met her halfway across the ballroom with a sly smile on his face.
As she turned in his arms, she was interrupted by a soft throat clearing behind her. Aaron looked beyond her with a tight smile on his face. Theresa knew who it was without having to turn around.
“Father,” she greeted him. Aaron had never quite forgiven her father for the part he played in banishing her to become a nun rather than raising her as a lady in theton.
“May I say that you look quite beautiful tonight, Theresa?”
“You may.” Theresa laughed. “Are Mother and Hope here as well?”
“Your mother is over by the refreshment table, but Hope… Well, she was not quite ready to join our family at a party like this. I hope she will be ready to join us in London next Season.”
Theresa nodded, understanding that her sister still felt awkward around her husband. How could she not? She had refused him when they were to be a married couple. It mattered not that Theresa was beyond happy with the way things turned out.
“I will not keep you from enjoying the festivities,” her father said. He reached out and shook Aaron’s hand. “I hope we will see you at Wyndham Park for dinner very soon.”
“I would not miss it for the world,” Theresa answered with a smile.
Since she opted not to travel to meet her family, she spent some time with her father. Her mother traveled back and forth between Wyndham Park and the country where Hope had fled. Both her mother and father had been welcoming of Theresa into their family and even got along with Aaron.
But tonight was not about her family. It was about assuming the role of Duchess here in theton. It was about spending time with her husband.
“Shall we dance, husband?” She asked as she turned back to him with a smile, remembering the first time he had taught her to dance.
“I would love nothing more,” Aaron replied.
He held out his hand and guided her to the dance floor, where couples were twirling to the music.
She stepped slightly into his arms, but he pulled her closer until she could feel the heat of his body. Any closer and it would have been considered indecent. They would scandalize their guests, Theresa was certain.
As they twirled around the dance floor, Theresa looked around at the people she loved. Juliette was dancing with an eligible bachelor across the room, while the Dowager Duchess was watching them all with a look of satisfaction. After all, this was everything she had hoped for—to see both of her grandchildren happy with bright futures ahead of them.
It would not be long before Juliette took a husband. Then, they would be free to explore thetonfor themselves. She pictured teaching Juliette to ride through the streets, knowing Aaron would never deprive her of time to spend with her new sister.
“As much as I love dancing with you, husband, I must pause for a drink,” Theresa said, trying to catch her breath.
Aaron loosened his hold on her and guided her to the refreshments table.
As she scooped punch into her glass, she realized how late the hour was. The ball was wrapping up, and some of the guests had already stepped off the dance floor while she was preoccupied with Aaron.
What kind of hostess was she that she did not see her guests off?
A glance at her husband told her everything she needed to know—it mattered very little to him whether she was the perfect hostess. He looked at her with soft eyes through his mask, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“The party is almost over, wife,” he murmured into her ear. “But I have one more surprise for you.”
He took her hand and led her out to the terrace. The cool night air kissed her skin, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
“We should not leave the party before our guests,” she chastised him, but he only laughed.
“I had to make good on my promise, dear wife. Do you recall what I promised you before your first garden party?”
“I remember very little except what happened in the gazebo,” she said.
Aaron’s eyes darkened at the memory, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Instead of pulling her in for a kiss, he spun her around, so that she was facing the gardens.
