Page 51 of A Duke for Stealing
Tristan’s brows rose with surprise at the scolding, but Everett paid him no mind as he focused on Rose.
“You truly do look lovely,” he told her, taking her hand. “I hope you no longer hold it against me that I designed this for you?”
Rose looked at him curiously for a moment before shaking her head.
“No. Even I must admit that you have great taste,” she replied.
Warmth radiated through him as he gave her an affectionate smile and offered her his hand.
“If you are finished with your lemonade, my dear, I should like very much to join in on the dancing under the tent,” he told her. “Let us show off your beautiful dress and our loving marriage.”
Rose’s curiosity seemed to deepen as she continued to look at him oddly, but she set down her empty glass of lemonade and accepted his hand.
“What was that all about?” Rose asked.
After his rather stiff retort toward Tristan Everett had led her to the dance area, they began their steps.
“Whatever do you mean?” Everett asked innocently, swaying her lightly to the music.
Rose’s brows drew down, then she darted her eyes over to where their friends now stood and watched.
“You know what I mean,” she whispered. “Tristan was just paying me a compliment, and you snapped at him.”
Rose was not surprised when Everett merely scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“You, of all people, are asking me this question? Miss Prim and Proper?”
Rose’s brows flew up in surprise as her mouth dropped open. As if amused by her response, Everett chortled and shook his head, then lightly spun her around to follow the steps of the dance.
“He was just being kind!” She whispered vehemently.
“He was being flirtatious,” Everett quickly replied, “With a married woman.Mymarried woman.”
There was a hardness in his tone as Everett said the wordmy,and it caught Rose off guard. The way he said it with such possessiveness had her blushing furiously, and for a moment, she struggled to come up with a retort.
“It has been a moment since we’ve gotten to speak,” Everett said, changing the subject. “Tell me, how are you getting along with my nieces?”
Though thrown by the sudden subject change, Rose accepted it. It was better than wondering if her husband was actually jealous or not.
“Well, I believe,” she answered, “They truly are darling girls.”
She paused as the song ended, and for a moment after they bowed to one another, Rose simply stood in his arms.
“I believe they miss you, though,” she said softly.
Everett’s gaze finally softened away from his possessive look, and he nodded.
“Come, let us take a moment from our peers. Stroll with me through the gardens.”
Rose nodded, thankful to be out of sight of such inquisitive eyes, and allowed Everett to lead her away from the rest of the guests.
“In truth, I would like to spend more time with them as well,” he said as they strolled arm in arm. “I am just at a loss as to how to do so.”
He turned to her with his usual smirk.
“As you know, I am not so good with children,” he said with a laugh.
Rose’s lips twitched toward a smile, but she did not miss the sadness he was trying so hard to hide in his eyes.
