“I don’t want several suitors,” Teddy told her. She never had. There was only one man that made her heart beat faster, but she was not certain she could trust him. “But I do feel especially pretty tonight. Perhaps I’ll even dance tonight.” Something she didn’t hope to do at any ball. She had danced once with Ezra, and if she were honest with herself…she wanted to again. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, Teddy had undeniable feelings for the viscount.
“You may not want them.” Ella smiled. “But you’re going to have them. It is best you prepare yourself for it now. From the moment you’re introduced in the ballroom, your days of being a wallflower will be over. No more hiding for you.”
Teddy wrinkled her nose. She’d been dreading the inevitable. It was easy to hide in the darkened recesses of ballrooms before. She hadn’t been the guest of honor at those. This ball was different because it was planned especially for her. “Your right.” She sighed. “Wish me luck. I think I’m going to need it.”
“You won’t,” Ella said with confidence. “You’re going to shine.”
Teddy took a fortifying breath. “It’s time.”
She went to the door and opened it, then descended the stairs. Billie had excused her from the greeting line as guests arrived. Her sister had wanted Teddy to make an entrance. In the future, if she continued to live at Graystone, she’d be beside her sister and the duke at social events they hosted—at least until she found a quiet cottage and could escape society all together. She reached the last step and paused momentarily. Teddy held her hand over her stomach as it began to flutter. Her anxiety was going to get the best of her if she didn’t gain control soon. She could do this, and perhaps if she told herself that several thousand more times, she’d believe it.
Teddy couldn’t stall any longer. She continued her trek to the ballroom. When she reached the doors, two footmen opened the doors for her. There was no need for her to give them her card to announce her. They all knew her and announced her name as she descended the stairs into the ballroom. It seemed as if the entire ton was there, and they all stopped to stare at her.
The fluttering returned at a much faster pace than before. Teddy swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. She hated this… Why did she have to have a comeout ball? Billie had insisted on it, and now Teddy had regrets. She hated having everyone’s attention on her.
A man stepped forward and bowed. “Lady Theodora, may I have the first dance?” She didn’t recognize him. He was handsome with pale blond hair and ice blue eyes. “Um…” Words were failing her, so she held her card out for him to sign. The first dance wouldn’t start for another quarter hour, and after he left, if he did, she could sneak a peek at his name.
He signed the card and then smiled. “I look forward to waltzing with you.”
The first dance was a waltz? Drat. She’d wanted to dance with Ezra to the waltz. She did hope her sister had more than one planned for the evening. “Yes,” she said. “It’ll be lovely.” She sounded like she didn’t have a vocabulary bigger than ten words. Lord help her through this.
Another man stepped forward. He had golden blond hair and eyes the color of whisky. “Lady Theodora,” he greeted her. “Pardon my rudeness as we’ve never been introduced, but I must sign your dance card.” He lifted his lips up into a sinful smile. Oh my…this one was a rake for certain. Still, she couldn’t help returning his smile.
“Then perhaps we should rectify that.” She lifted her wrist where her dance card dangled. “Sign it and tell me your name. You may have the second dance.”
Surely, her sister wouldn’t have two waltzes in a row. Granting this rogue a waltz would be too risqué and would beg for people to gossip about her.
He signed his name with flourish. “I am Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling.” He said. He practically dripped with charm and confidence. “And I’ve never been so thrilled to dance the quartet.”
She narrowed her gaze. Was he jesting? “Right. Until then… If you’ll pardon me, I must converse with my sister before the dancing begins.” Teddy escaped more requests to dance…narrowly. Where was Ezra? Surely he intended to be there…
Ezra wanted to commit murder. He had never been so angry in his entire life. Teddy had taken his breath away as she entered the ballroom. Then the crush of people in the ballroom made it impossible to reach her side, and she was surrounded by gentlemen vying for her attention. He wasn’t surprised all the men had nearly run to her side. Had they filled up her dance card already? He hoped not. Ezra wanted to dance with her again. He’d prefer a waltz, but he’d take whatever she had left. He hated dancing, but he loved having her in his arms. He’d dance all night for that pleasure alone.
He pushed his way through until he was almost to her where she was speaking to her sister. Ezra only had to take a few more steps and he’d be right next to her. As he was about to do that, a gentleman strode up to Teddy and held out his hand to her. She smiled at him and placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor. Ezra’s heart thundered in his chest. She was dancing with the Marquess of Hawthorne. Not just any dance either. The strands of the waltz started playing. Ezra had to retain every ounce of control he could muster
