Chapter Thirty-Four

                                    

                                          
Rushing to Theo, Addie reassured, "You are interrupting nothing, Theo. I was merely escaping the crush of the ballroom and Lord Trotten was, presumably, doing the same." She glanced at the other lord, arching a brow in question. What had he been doing in the dark room?
                          
Will cleared his throat. "Precisely."
                          
But Theo did not look convinced. His gaze flitted across Lord Trotten's unreadable face for a beat before turning to Addie.
                          
"It is rather dark in here, Adelaide. Enclosed. Far from the public eye, I should think. If I recall, you did not wish to engage in such trysts after your marriage. Or perhaps you just did not wish to do so with me?"
                          
His gaze smoldered. With betrayal, with despair, with desire.
                          
"This is far from a tryst, Theo," she gasped.
                          
"I would like to second that statement," Trotten added blandly, as if bored by the accusation. Silence followed his statement. Theo continued his glaring campaign upon them both until Trotten added, "I think that is my cue to leave."
                          
"I think perhaps not," a third male voice cut in, emerging from behind the slightly parted doorway to the ballroom. Addie's stomach dropped at the sound of her husband entering the space, causing Theo to shuffle to the side to allow the prince room. Behind her, Trotten let loose a hushed curse.
                          
But not quiet enough for George to miss it.
                          
"Quite right, Lord Trotten, quite right. What should noblemen such as yourself be doing in the company of my wife?"
                          
"Her Highness is delightful company," Trotten replied smoothly.
                          
"Delightful, is she?" George sneered. "I am more than aware of the ways that she is delightful.
                          
I should hope that you do not understand her in the ways that I do, however."
                          
Will's face was stony as he replied, "Certainly not, Your Highness."
                          
George turned his attention to Theo, and Addie wondered at this display of playing the jealous husband. Did he really feel this vehemently opposed to her interactions with other noblemen, or was it simply a show for their sake?
                          
Addie could be certain, however, of the verity of a similar display being presented by Theo as George stared him down. His hands were clenched against his thighs as a vein almost certainly bulged in his neck beneath his tight jaw.
                          
"And you, Kingfield?" George asked icily.
                          
"Certainly not," Theo repeated through gritted teeth.
                          
"Quite exceptional," George said, clasping his hands together giddily, his demeanor changing instantly. He turned to look at Addie. "After all, I would so hate for Her Highness to be labeled a harlot."
                          
Addie reeled back at the word, struggling to keep her face impassive. But in a way, he was right. By sitting in this darkened room with two men who were not her husband, she was risking her reputation. And it was only the very first public appearance she had made since her wedding! Though it hadn't been her intent when she had entered the doorway off of the ballroom, what had occurred was precisely why she had turned down Theo's offer to continue their relationship.
                          
And now, not only was her reputation at risk, but Theo was looking at her with a type of strangled hurt in his eyes. He said nothing to George's accusation of her virtue.
                          
Will, on the other hand, looked ready to defend her honor, but before words could be said, George grabbed Addie and yanked her across the room with a bruising grip. He sat her on the settee unceremoniously.