Page 60 of A Duchess to Unravel

“I could be good,” she said, her tone light and teasing, making Alistair chuckle.

“If?”He asked, sensing her need for a bargain.

“If you canmake mebe good,” she whispered.

As she said so the musicians drew their final notes to an end, and the song concluded. Before Alistair could reply or even ready for another dance, Theo was out of his grasp, winking at him as she twirled away, and disappeared into the surrounding crowd.

Theo felt her blood sizzle and hum with excitement as Alistair’s intense gaze followed her through the crowded ballroom. She felt playful, giddy, and she was sure that her new husband had everything to do with that.

“Theo!” Rose greeted excitedly as she came toward her and Ophelia.

“Darlings,” Theo practically sang as she came behind her friends. She put her head on Rose’s shoulder, her hand on Ophelia’s. Using them as a barrier between her and Alistair. As she’d hoped, he’d followed her, and a playful chase had begun.

“I had no idea you danced so well,” Rose praised, “Have you been taking private lessons?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Alistair answered for her, appearing in front of Rose and Ophelia. Theo smiled wickedly as her two friends gawked up at him.

“Have you always been this tall?” Ophelia said, her offending tone blatant and unforgiving as she stared up at him with a frown.

“Ophelia,” Theo whispered through a giggle, “Do be nice to our gentle giant.”

Ophelia grunted, eyeing him up and down.

“Something tells me he is not so gentle,” she grunted, her tone and words, as usual, most unladylike.

“That would be a question for my wife,” Alistair answered wickedly, turning his gaze toward Theo. His dark blue eyes were halfway to black as he looked over, a wicked grin twitching on his face.

“Tell me, love, am I gentle enough for you?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Manners,” Rose sang under her breath, her eyes dodging around.

“I believe you have yet to answer your friend’s question, Theo,” Alistair said, “About the dancing? Have you been taking lessons?”

Theo’s cheeks flushed as Alistair danced between the fine line of humor and danger, and she bit her bottom lip before narrowing her eyes at him.

“It is a hidden passion, I suppose,” she replied.

Feeling exhilarated by the game she’d created, Theo kissed both her friends on the cheek and took off again, disappearing into the crowd and resurfacing by her brother’s and Everett’s sides.

“Stop looking so forlorn, brother,” she teased. “It is a party!”

“That is what I keep telling him,” Everett agreed, nudging Tristan in the ribs.

Once again, Alistair appeared close by, his gaze set on Theo.

“It is a grand evening you’ve planned, Everett,” Alistair agreed, nodding to him in acknowledgment.

“Yes, the music is so lively!” Theo added, grinning from ear to ear.

Everett and Tristan both looked at her oddly, but then Everett grinned back at her.

“I am not sure what has changed about you, Theo, but it is a great turnaround,” he praised. “Lovely to see you not looking so somber at an event.”

“Yes,” Tristan mused, shooting his gaze from his sister to Alistair. “There is much change in you indeed. I remember when you used to despise such things.”

She plucked the glass of whiskey from Everett’s hand and to everyone’s surprise, she took a deep swallow. The brown liquor burned her tongue and warmed her stomach, but it made her giddiness grow.

“Much change,” Everett noted as she placed the glass back in his hand, eyeing her up in surprise.