And he had no intention of allowing the attraction he felt for her to grow into anything more than a minor nuisance.
He shook his head.
He’d been in love once. It was a state of affairs he’d never allow again.
The first woman he’d given his heart to had been Lady Evelyn Chase. A dark-haired beauty with a laugh that could fill a room. She’d been larger than life and he’d slipped under her spell almost instantly.
When her dark sparkling eyes had met his…the rest of the world had melted away.
He’d gone to every party that she’d attended. Quietly, they’d become inseparable. At least he’d thought so.
There had been signs that all was not well, but he’d ignored them. She’d insisted on only dancing one dance every ball. She’d give excuses why he couldn’t come to court her. But she’d smoothed over any fears her qualifiers created with other, prettier words.
Their relationship was special, she’d said. Just for them. She didn’t want anyone else to break their bubble of happiness. Not yet.
And when they’d slipped out to the garden to share kiss after kiss, Theo had known he’d propose to this woman. He’d pushed his fears aside and focused on his feelings.
It was Max who’d helped him see the truth.
It had begun when they’d been at White’s the day after a ball. Max had seen him slip away with Evelyn the night before. But his friend hadn’t been happy for him. Instead, he’d begun an inquisition. “How much do you know about her really?” Max had asked.
Theo had been defiant...he’d been smug...he’d been so certain he was right. “I know enough.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a grimace pulling at the corners of his mouth. He’d been a lot like Sarah. And he’d been angry at his friend for intervening when Theo was certain he knew better.
But Max had remained unconvinced.
And when, at the next party, Max had pulled him into the garden and made him hide in a bush, Theo had been righteously defiant. Why were they skulking about in the dark of night? He trusted Evelyn. He loved her. She would never do a thing to hurt him. He’d been full of indignation. Right up until the moment he wasn’t.
Because a couple stepped into the moonlight and then he’d heard the soft, unmistakable whisper of a woman’s voice, Evelyn’s voice, claiming that another man was her one and only.
Shock had stilled his limbs as he’d watched his beloved kiss another man. Exactly as she’d kissed him. His knees had come down on the ground as his head had bent in hurt.
And it had been Max who’d picked him up off the cold, hard stone of the patio.
Max who’d apologized for making him watch this spectacle.
And Max who’d helped Theo find his carriage and return home.
He wasn’t certain he’d have made it without his friend.
And Theo was absolutely certain he’d have caused a scene if Max hadn’t been there to intervene. Because as he’d made his way to the carriage, his hurt had been replaced with white-hot anger, and if he’d lost his temper and publicly confronted her... Well, then all of London would have seen what a lovesick fool he’d been.
His thoughts returned to the present as the crowd in the ballroom swelled about him. Max stepped next to him, rather than joining his family in the receiving line.
“Are you all right, my friend?” Max asked, his brows drawing down in concern.
Theo gave his friend a welcome smile. “Still mothering me, I see.”
Max chuckled. “Guilty. It’s my way, I guess. Eldest child and all.” Max’s eyes fixed on Sarah. “I got all the responsible tendencies and Sarah received all the fun personality.”
Theo shook his head. “She did indeed.” It was odd. Where Stallworth was concerned, Theo agreed with Max completely. She was rash and foolish.
But if the last day had taught him anything where Sarah was concerned, she’d been nothing but mature in her aid of her brother, his bride, and their wedding. “Still, she shows promise.”
Max’s face split in a slow grin. “I’m glad you think so.”
What did that mean? Theo cocked his head to the side. What was Max trying to say? Whatever it was, he should end that train of thought here and now. “Don’t get me wrong. You’re right to have me watch over her. She’s still prone to making terrible decisions and—” It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Max about Stallworth. But he knew it would upset Sarah. Still. Max seemed to have some subterfuge in mind that Theo wanted no part of.
“How could she make the wrong choice with you firmly at her side?” Max asked, as his attention turned back to his family. “You ought to consider being next to her more often. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should greet guests. But keep a close eye on Sarah tonight and think about what I’ve said.”
Said? Max hadn’t said anything. Not really. He’d hinted…which wasn’t like the marquess at all.
Did Max want Theo to court Sarah?
His fingers dug into his outer thigh. There was no way. She was too...everything. Too rash, too quick to anger, too naive, too pretty, too...tempting.
His eyes closed for a brief moment before they opened again, focusing on her mane of dark hair. The sort of hair he’d like to slip his fingers through, winding a curl about a single digit.
He could slip that finger down her neck…
He drew in a long breath to steady his rising heartbeat.
Sarah was dangerous and so vulnerable, and he could do nothing but help her. Because of Max, of course. But also because of his treacherous attraction to a woman who was once again all wrong for him.
5
“Forgive my absence,” Max said as he came to stand next to Marigold. “I needed to speak with a very good friend who is as steadfast as he is admirable. The Earl of Everly.”
Sarah nearly snorted but caught herself in the nick of time.
Still, a sound of disdain slipped out quite unintentionally. Marigold shot her a questioning look as they greeted a baron and his wife. She forced a quick smile and laughed at whatever it was the baron had said.
Of course, he was no rogue. Mr. Stallworth had been nothing but kind to her at that fated house party last year, and tonight…
Her gaze darted around the room as it began to fill with a cheerful crowd, ready to celebrate, her hands clasping and unclasping as she tried to remain patient.
But tonight, surely, after all these months, he would make his intentions known, and then she would not have to hide these feelings any longer.
“Lily is here!” Marigold exclaimed the moment her redheaded friend arrived with her new husband at her side.
Sarah grinned and waved them over. She’d always liked Lily. A kindred spirit, of sorts. And to see her so happily matched made Sarah’s heart swell.
Even more so because tonight, finally, her own love story would begin.
“Lily, I’m so happy you’ve arrived,” Marigold gushed beside her as the two women embraced. She lowered her voice to a near whisper. “There are so many people here. And I don’t know half of them.”
Lily laughed, wrapping an arm around Marigold’s slim shoulders as she gave Sarah a warm smile. “I see you’ve had some help from your new sister.”