Page 50 of A Duke for Stealing
Everett cast a quick glance toward Dominic and Hugo, who stood at the fray, and as if they too were actors in his impromptu play, they both let out cheerful words of agreement as they began to subtly push the group toward the open double doors that led to the lawn. As if they were lemmings, the crowd moved with one another and began to filter out.
“You did not have to do that,” Rose whispered once more, as they were outside.
“I disagree,” Everett replied, turning his full attention to her, “You appeared to be drowning in a sea of questions. If not about us, then your mother. There was no need for you to face them alone.”
Rose let out an exhausted sigh. Everett could see the weariness in her blue eyes, and again, that strange urge to protect her rippled over him.
“Come now,” he goaded, giving her a charming smile, “You must admit my story satisfied their appetite for gossip.”
Everett’s heart skipped when Rose gave him a small but genuine smile, then let out a soft laugh.
“Even I must admit, you are a good storyteller,” she replied.
“I know I am,” he answered with a smirk. He was rewarded with another soft laugh from Rose, and she brought her hand up in a rather intimate gesture to squeeze his upper arm. Her touch thrilled him, even through the fabric of his jacket and shirt, and his smirk turned into a grin. He placed his hand over her own and moved it to the crook of his arm so he could escort her outside.
Yes, he may have acted poorly the last time they’d seen one another, leaving her alone as he did after such an intimate act- but even so, Rose seemed to have forgiven him at least for now.
“I must agree that you are indeed,” she admitted.
“These will get easier, you know,” he told her, “these gatherings. The questions around our relationship will fade, and now that you are my wife, so will your attachment to your mother; at least through theton’seyes.”
Rose gave him a reluctant look, but nodded. Wanting to put her more at ease, Everett put his hand on his arm and gestured toward the doors.
“Let us try to find some enjoyment, hmm? You must be parched. Shall we venture outside with everyone else and find you a lemonade?”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” Rose replied.
With their arms linked, they walked out into the warm sun. Everett could not help but notice how Rose still threw expectant looks toward their peers, but he was relieved to see that no one seemed interested in approaching them again. Instead, their focus was on the lawn games, dancing, and good-hearted fun for which the party had been intended.
“That was quite a story you told,” Ophelia stated, joining them at the refreshment table along with Theo, Amelia, and Tristan.
“Yes indeed, quite romantic,” Theo added.
Everett grinned at them as he handed Rose a glass of lemonade.
“You sound surprised,” he retorted wittily, “I thought you would all know by now how charming I am.”
While Ophelia only gave him a deadpan look, the others, including Rose, laughed.
“You are indeed,” Rose admitted, “Though I am surprised to see you use your charm for good.”
Everett gave her a false look of hurt as he pressed a hand to his chest.
“You wound me, wife,” he stated with feigned hurt.
Everett’s heart swelled as Rose’s beautiful face brightened and the exhaustion in her eyes faded. Her lips parted, and the most beautiful, emphatic laugh rang from her lips. It echoed in his mind and seeped into his bloodstream, sending a pulse of warmth through his very veins. The effect it had on him had him dumbfounded for a moment, and for a while, all he could do was look at her utter admiration.
“That is much better,” Tristan stated from his sister’s side. “I have not seen you laugh so in quite a long time. Not since you played that ghastly trick on us before Alistair and Theo’s wedding.”
“A trick you all certainly deserved, brother,” Theo quickly added.
The rest of the small group laughed, but Everett found his usual humor fading as he watched Tristan take another step toward Rose and smile at her. They had all known each other for quite a while now. Everett knew that Rose had been friends with Theo and the other ladies for ages. He also knew that Tristan regarded them all as adopted sisters of sorts. Yet as he watched his old friend draw a kind, warm look over Rose, he felt something he’d never felt before- jealousy.
“Might I say, Rose, when you smile like that, it certainly makes you glow. Especially when accompanied by such a beautiful dress. This new look becomes you,” Tristan told her.
Everett picked up the utter affection in Tristan’s voice, and before he could stop himself, he was putting his body between his friend and his wife.
“Careful how you speak to a married woman, Tristan,” Everett warned, his voice cold.
