Page 10 of The Duke’s Cursed Virgin (Cursed Brides #3)

Chapter Nine

“ S o, you’ve been gone for a while,” Philip remarked.

After taking a few minutes to calm his throbbing erection, Theo returned to the ballroom. Only to find Philip waiting for him with a big, knowing grin on his face.

“Ever so observant,” Theo muttered, making a vague, sweeping motion with his right arm.

“Mhm. Well, the Winslows have been looking for you,” Philip informed him, arching his eyebrows.

“I hope they don’t find me,” Theo replied simply, reaching for a glass of punch from behind his friend.

“Is that why you disappeared with Lady Sophia?” Philip teased.

“I did not disappear with Lady Sophia,” Theo gritted out, careful not to raise his voice.

“Oh, so it’s a coincidence that you stepped out of the same corridor she emerged from mere minutes ago?” Philip asked, winking at him.

Theo shot him a glare and downed his punch in one go. “You have an overactive imagination,” he said.

“A good pair of eyes, Your Grace,” Philip quipped. “I am not an idiot. However, who am I to stop you from pursuing your desires? On the contrary, my friend, I’ll tell you to forge ahead. Maybe the lovely lady will exorcise your black mood.”

“It’s not what you think it is,” Theo began, wondering if he should tell his friend.

Philip was loyal, after all, but a part of him also wanted to keep Sophia a secret.

Philip looked like he was about to ask something, but the Winslows descended upon them. The daughter, aged twenty but looking no more than sixteen, fluttered her lashes at Theo in a way that made his stomach churn.

This was what he was trying to avoid—being chased by a young woman looking for marriage.

But Theo had no intention of marrying. Not when his blood swirled with memories of shouting, of violence. Not when his past was filled with nothing but pain. Not when he could turn into his parents—into a nightmare.

He could not foist that on an innocent debutante, nor an innocent child if it ever came to that. Which it never would.

“Good evening,” he greeted, trying to hide his reluctance. His mask was back on, literally and figuratively.

“Your Grace, you must have met my daughter, Ingrid,” Lady Winslow said.

She was too excited. Too eager.

“I believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Lady Ingrid,” he replied.

Yet he was already searching the room for a certain young woman with light brown hair and flashing blue eyes.

“Just where have you been, Sophia Balfour?” Aunt Mary demanded, looking aggravated.

She was fanning herself so vigorously that Sophia had to step back so that she would not get slapped by her fan.

“I explored as advised,” Sophia responded, trying to keep her tone bored even though her heart was hammering.

“It is not proper behavior for a lady’s companion to take too long, dear,” her aunt reminded her.

Sophia knew that Aunt Mary didn’t want to press her new situation on her, but it was a necessary reminder.

There were many reasons she should not be walking off on her own.

One, she was an unmarried lady with no marriage prospects whatsoever.

Two, she had a duty to her aunt, even though it was the latter’s idea to wander in the first place.

Three, she had to at least attempt to make people believe that she was a decent human being.

Mmmph .

There were also reasons she should be exploring. One, people would rather not have them in their vicinity. Two, her uncle had been acting suspiciously. Three, she might not admit it, but it was the only way she could kiss Theo—er, the Duke.

No. She shouldn’t think that at all.

“Well, you are still as cheeky as ever,” Aunt Mary replied, although she didn’t look displeased. “If we didn’t have these foolish rules, I might have even asked you to explore some more.”

“Ah.”

“I was looking for you because Lady Umberton was getting tiresome,” the Dowager Countess confessed. “She will not stop prattling about how her daughters and granddaughters have all married wealthy, titled men. Well, except for the youngest, who had set her sights on either the Duke of Wolvesley or the Earl of Longford.”

“Oh,” was all Sophia could say.

“What happened to you? You lost your words after releasing your saucy tongue?”

“No. I supposed I simply have nothing to say,” Sophia replied.

“Now, that is a first.” Aunt Mary chuckled, yet Sophia’s mind was already elsewhere.

Her mouth still tingled from his kisses, and her body craved his hands.

What was going on with her? She loved a scandalous book, but she had never thought herself capable of being wanton.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her uncle walking down the corridor where his study was located. So, she thought it better to be out of his view.

“Auntie, again, I am so sorry for having abandoned you. Perhaps you would like me to take you to some of your other friends who wish to enjoy your company?” she asked sweetly.

“There is something about you tonight,” her aunt commented, frowning at her.

“No. I’m the same cursed lady everyone knows.” This time, Sophia could not keep the bitterness out of her voice.

“It won’t always be that way,” her aunt declared.

When Sophia turned her head, she met the eyes of nobody else but the Duke.

Sophia was there, looking lovelier than ever. Yes, she was mysterious and seductive in dimly lit rooms, but she was radiant under the lamps just like she was so freshly innocent during the daytime.

He was hopeless. Theo had never met a woman who interested him so much that he had to see her again. His eyes followed her around the ballroom as she flitted from one group to another with her aunt.

Did she want that? Could she feel his gaze on her? It was like a dance—a dance for only the two of them, threading through the obstacles of the ton. She would walk away from him, by her aunt’s side as if using the old woman as a shield.

Perhaps.

Perhaps not.

“You have it bad,” Philip commented.

Even though Theo was not looking at his friend, he could hear the grin on his face.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, not even bothering to check his tone.

Desire ignited within him. Every glimpse of her—her hair, the hem of her dress, and even her gloved hands—made him want her more.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Philip said, shaking his head, before walking away.

The Duke weaved through the crowd, wondering why the ballroom suddenly felt suffocating. The Marquess of Foxmere had a large home, but many people were there, in different states of mingling. Conversations varied, from horse breeding to politics to card games. The ladies had to keep their voices low, tittering and whispering behind their pretty fans.

It felt like a maze, where he had to push through without being too forceful.

Perhaps it felt like Dante’s nine circles of hell, too, always pulling him away from her.

“Pardon me!” a woman in her sixties exclaimed as Theo continued following Sophia.

So, there were times when he didn’t know he was still following her. He needed to stop this, even though a large part of him wanted to continue. He wanted her. As he turned right, however, he saw someone else.

Lord Holton.

Theo groaned inwardly.

Holton stood in the middle of a small group, gesturing animatedly. The men surrounding him didn’t look too happy. Some were even looking left and right, seeking an escape. One seemed focused on the ceiling.

“Your Grace, come and join us,” the oblivious Holton called.

Theo took a deep breath and looked at the spot where Sophia disappeared. Perhaps he needed some distraction, one that Lord Holton could provide with his endless prattling. So, he reluctantly joined the group.

The mood changed when the men saw the Duke of Wolvesley approaching. Backs straightened, chins tilted up, and the general demeanor became more pleasant. Eager.

They were aware that men of higher rank did not often engage in idle conversations, much less save other men from the endless chatter Holton was perfectly capable of. But here he was.

Adjusting his cuffs, Theo seemed ready to do manual labor—and wasn’t what was about to happen equal to that? Holton was his opposite. While the man was known for chatting about things that did not matter to his peers, others looked up to the Duke and valued his opinions on various matters.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Holton said when Theo was close enough, a big, genuine grin on his face.

“To my surprise, I am enjoying this ball,” Theo said—a partially honest response, as he was indeed enjoying the cat-and-mouse game with Lady Sophia. “But I do hope I am not interrupting your entertaining conversation.”

“Not at all, Your Grace!” Holton seemed to have grown taller, as he stretched his neck and straightened his back like an eager pupil with his headmaster. “I believe you may even have something to contribute. We have been discussing the influence of Greek philosophers on modern governance and other aspects of our lives.”

“Oh.” Theo’s lips twitched, but he reined in the urge to laugh. He liked studying Greek philosophers as a boy, but not everyone enjoyed it at a ball. “That sounds interesting.”

“Uh, Lord Holton also compares present law with that of the Roman Republic,” a younger lord, possibly only in his twenties, said, puffing out his chest, trying to look broader.

“Mhm,” was Theo’s noncommittal response.

Holton’s ‘discussions’ were notorious for being so obscure that only a few people would find them interesting. It didn’t help that he spoke in a nasal, monotonous voice.

“A fascinating subject,” Theo murmured, though he had no intention of discussing it with Lord Holton.

The other gentlemen took Theo’s arrival as an opportunity to discreetly escape Holton’s lecture.

“I’m glad you think so, Your Grace. I was trying to persuade the gentlemen earlier, and I find that the younger ones are not that interested in such serious matters anymore,” Lord Holton said, looking a little disgruntled.

“I am. I am interested,” the young lord to Holton’s right blurted.

He was so eager and red-faced that Theo almost chuckled. It was entertaining to be with Holton, after all.

“Ah, young Lord James,” Holton declared, as if surprised that the man was pleased. “I’m glad you stayed for the conversation.”

“Lord Holton,” Theo said. “While the subjects you mention are compelling, there is something that has been calling my attention more than others of late.”

“Oh!” Holton exclaimed, his eyes widening with blatant curiosity. “What might that be, Your Grace?”

“Music.”

The word seemed random, but Theo had been pondering it off and on that night.

Sophia claimed to like music, did she not? Perhaps he could find a way to see her again. Alone.

And he knew just the right way to achieve that.

“Music?” Holton frowned. He had been so focused on obscure things that hurtling him back to what the present company was thinking about seemed a struggle. “Do you love music in particular, Your Grace? Might I call you a devotee?”

“I wouldn’t call myself a devotee, nor is my interest in the subject deeply entrenched. It’s a recent one. I merely noticed that musical gatherings have been gaining popularity among the ton.”

“You are right,” Holton said, nodding hastily. “I have noticed that, as well.”

“Because of this popularity,” Theo added, “people like me who didn’t previously show any interest in the art are now paying more attention. The ton hosts more musicales. What do you think, Lord Holton?”

“Mmm. I have not paid much attention to it, I have to admit. However, your mentioning it reminds me of Lady Weatherby’s successful event from a fortnight ago. Then, there was, um, Lord Edgecombe. He had been talking about it while I was discussing the proper way to tie a cravat. No wonder the others were listening to him more than they were listening to me.”

Theo bit his tongue, stopping himself from telling Holton that it was more than just the music that had lost him an audience. Instead, he schooled his face into a serious expression, the one that was going to persuade Holton to do something he had not thought about mere seconds ago.

“Music is not just entertainment, after all. It is closely intertwined with history. With culture. In gatherings like ours, it also becomes a means to start an intellectual discourse,” Theo rambled on, his eyes still seeking Sophia.

She wasn’t anywhere within his line of sight. Therefore, he must continue this little farce. At least Holton’s interest made it entertaining.

“Indeed, you are right, Your Grace!” Holton looked excited. His eyes were gleaming, alarming one of the young men who stayed back. “The evolution of music is made possible by the progress of society. Music is not just a means for socialization and courtship through dancing, but it is a movement within the art world. An important one!”

Theo suppressed a smirk. Holton seemed hooked. The man didn’t know that it was courtship—or pursuit—that Theo had in mind when he recommended music.

“I can see that we are now looking at music the same way,” the Duke murmured, satisfied.

“Of course, Your Grace. You’ve raised an excellent point!” Holton beamed. “A musicale is truly worthwhile. Not only does it entertain, but it also enlightens. I used to think otherwise, and I am now deeply sorry for it!”

“There is no need to apologize, Lord Holton,” Theo assured him. “However, don’t you agree that only a discerning host can put together an event that showcases the artistry of music while also highlighting its merits?”

Holton’s chest seemed to have expanded three times its size—he had taken the Duke’s bait.

“I should do it myself! How else will I know that it’s an event of suitable quality?”

“That is an excellent idea, Lord Holton,” Theo said, smiling. “I look forward to whatever you’ll arrange. I hope I’ll get an invitation.”

Holton grinned, his gaze already distant as if he were spinning ideas for the musicale. Theo had undoubtedly unlocked something in the older man, which might make things easier for him and his quest to see Lady Sophia again.

“Of course, you will get an invitation, Your Grace! I will begin planning immediately so that we can arrange this musicale in no time.”

It was precisely what Theo was hoping for, and at the moment, all he could give was a courteous nod.

“I look forward to this grand event, Lord Holton.”

Ideally, Theo should be seeing more of the fiery brunette on that same night—that same ball. However, he would take any scraps from her, and it looked like Holton would be the one to lead him to the table.

Content with what he was able to accomplish, Theo took his leave. He knew that Holton would think that hosting the musicale was his idea, and it had to remain that way.

He would be invited, and certainly, Lady Sophia would be there. He would get to see her, see if he could persuade her to spend time with him.

Earlier, when he was moving through the maze of guests, he was desperate. This time, having laid out the game, his mood had completely changed.

The others might look at him curiously, eyeing the smile on his face, but Philip would know something was afoot.