Page 38 of A Touch of Charm (Miracles on Harley Street #3)

T hea stood on the side of the ballroom with only her brothers. This was their life, danger and attention colliding in the least fortunate moments. She smoothed the soft folds of her gown, the shock of the attack still present in her mind. The ball had to go on though, lest she cause a scandal and attract undue attention. If Prince Ralph had colluded with Baron von List, then danger could still be lurking everywhere.

But for now, as discretely as possible despite the crowd of onlookers, Thea looked at her Andre speaking to Anna and their mother out of earshot. Her protector. Her love.

Despite the chaos that had unraveled earlier, there was a quiet hush within her now, a newfound peace that settled into all the cracked corners of her heart. She looked up, seeing Stan beside her, his arm still wrapped in a hastily knotted sling, his steady presence a reassuring anchor.

“I’m glad we’re here,” she said, her voice soft but sure.

Stan gave a small, crooked smile, his hand brushing a stray tear from her cheek. “We will always be your home, Thea. No matter where you run, you’ll always have us.” Alex nodded his assent.

She felt her lips tremble as warmth spread through her chest. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this—how much she needed them . Despite the pain from the past and the storm of betrayal she had weathered, here they were. Stan, Alex, and even Alfie, Nick, and Felix who had come to rescue her. They had come for her, believed in her, defended her when it mattered most. And Andre, he had her heart.

Alex stepped forward, his usual mischievous expression replaced by something softer. “Everything’s fixed for now,” he began, though his tone betrayed the challenge ahead. “Ralph and List won’t crawl out of this unscathed, not with what we’ve uncovered.”

“Don’t tell me they are still here.” Thea put her hand on her forehead.

“Saving face among the ton,” Stan said with palpable disgust. “But under guard.”

Thea glanced toward Stan, recalling his earlier vow. “I trust you’ll do what needs to be done,” she said, her voice steadier now than it had been in days.

“We will,” he said simply, the weight behind his words leaving no room for doubt.

Anna’s rustling skirts gently broke through the serious air, her hands clasped as she stepped forward. “But none of that is for tonight,” she announced with purpose, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Tonight is for your celebration, Princess. Don’t let them steal your moment.”

Thea blinked, startled out of her thoughts as Anna gestured toward the doors that led back to the ballroom. Faint strains of music drifted through, light and lilting, a stark contrast to the chaos that had shaken the house to its core earlier.

“It’s time for the bride’s dance,” Anna stated firmly, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Thea opened her mouth in protest before pausing, catching sight of Andre outside the doorway. He stood just at the edge, his dark hair catching the glow of the gilded lights beyond. His eyes met hers, warm, steady, unyieldingly full of love.

Her heart curled softly, the memories of this long, torturous road fading against the promise of him. He crossed the threshold easily, his movements graceful and composed as he extended a hand toward her.

“Thea,” he murmured, her name a secret on his lips. He didn’t need to say more.

She stared at him for a moment and then placed her hand in his. His fingers curled around hers, the heat of his touch grounding her in a way nothing else could. She looked up into his face—intelligent and kind, strong yet gentle—and her pulse quickened, not with panic as it once had but with a giddy, fluttering joy.

“I’ll warn you now,” she whispered, her lips curving into a small smile as he guided her toward the ballroom, “I’ve never been much good at waltzing.”

Andre chuckled, his deep laugh vibrating in his chest as he pulled her close. “If I have you close to me, nothing else matters, my princess.”

The ballroom welcomed them with open arms, a sea of dazzling lights and soft colors. Their audience paused in anticipation, every gaze trained on the princess and prince who had fought harder than anyone could imagine arriving there.

Thea took a breath, letting it unfurl the lingering tension in her chest as Andre held her hand tightly. The music swelled, spiraling upward like the hope brimming in her heart. Her past had scorched and blinded her, but it hadn’t broken her. She lifted her chin, meeting Andre’s mother’s proud smile and Anna’s encouraging nod. Stan’s watchful gaze added strength, while Alex winked cheekily, earning a rare laugh from her.

This was her moment to step onto the parquet.

She moved with Andre, their movements far from perfect yet full of an ease that only came from love. Her world had been remade—not only because of him but because of herself and the people around her.

The glow of the chandeliers blurred into stars above as they danced, and Thea allowed herself to close her eyes, feeling the rhythm of possibility unfolding beneath her feet. One, two, three. One, two, three. Tonight was theirs, but it was also the beginning of something greater. Beyond the music, the evening, and even the warmth of Andre’s grasp, she could sense that freedom she had once only dreamed of was now a freedom earned and cherished, burning with a soft, reassuring glow in her soul.

Thea opened her eyes and met Andre’s gaze once again, the noise of the ballroom fading into nothing. He smiled down at her, his promise wordless yet unmistakable.

Thea felt truly, wonderfully, free for the first time in what felt like forever.