Page 30

“Don’t you dare, Emerton!” William protested.

Of course, his protest fell on deaf ears.

“It is as hilarious as you can possibly imagine, but it is not a story you should hear until you had at least one drink.” Theo smiled.

Eveline eyed the glass in her hand warily and then sniffed it, wrinkling her small nose.

“This doesn’t smell at all like anything I would enjoy,” she complained.

“You will,” Theo said encouragingly. “Trust me.”

She shrugged and eyed the glass warily before taking a sip… and spitting it out immediately. She coughed and rubbed at her chest, her eyes watering. William squeezed his fists tightly, fighting the urge to rush over to her, as it would give Theo even more fodder with which to tease him.

“Why do people drink this?” she groaned. “This tastes horrible.” She coughed, her face contorting with displeasure. “I shall never trust your judgment again.”

“I’ll have you know that I have refined taste,” Theo complained. “That is very fine whiskey.”

“Indeed?” she asked with wide eyes, looking at William.

He nodded. “Indeed, but it is not for everybody.”

“Did you never sneak out to imbibe as a child?” Theo asked.

She shook her head. “I never thought to.”

“You really were a proper child,” he mused, rolling his eyes. “You’re almost as boring as Mayfield now. You two are well suited for each other."

Eveline giggled into her hands, while William shook his head.

“Nonetheless, I will tell you the story of William’s first day.” Theo smiled. “He was a scrawny thing back then, but in his little body, he held so much anger and made himself a target for my pranks.”

“Oh God,” Eveline gasped, laughing softly. “What did you do?”

“I stole his breeches at night and had him lumber around camp the next day in his smalls, with a storm cloud over him,” Theo finished.

William turned his head away as a loud laugh tore out of Eveline’s mouth. She was bent over, placing a hand on her stomach as though the action hurt her—which he suspected it did, considering corsets were built to restrict all sorts of movement.

“You are absolutely horrid.” She giggled.

“We became fast friends when I finally confessed,” Theo continued with a wink. “I couldn’t improve his dour personality, but he did prove himself a worthy friend. He saved my life, and now I save him from his dark moods. I should say we are a good pair.”

When Eveline smiled at Theo so brightly, William frowned deeply. The wave of jealousy he had felt earlier burned even hotter in his veins the longer he watched them talk. Soon, it was a boiling pot that had him rising quickly to his feet.

“It is past the respectable hour for a visit, Emerton,” he announced. “You must leave now, so my wife and I can have dinner.”

Theo and Eveline rose to their feet, her with a surprised look and him with a smug smile.

“Why are you chasing me away so suddenly?” Theo asked. “You usually enjoy my company.”

“Not tonight.”

“I shall leave now, but I shall visit again as soon as possible,” he said with a smile. “I happen to enjoy your wife’s company immensely.”

“Next time you do, ensure you have your wife with you.”

“That was beneath you.” Theo feigned hurt. “But I shall do my best to secure one on such short notice. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Duchess.”

“Likewise.” Eveline smiled. “Thank you for the stories.”