Chapter 2 #2
Before she could deliver the final, perfectly sharpened remark forming on her tongue, a shadow fell over them; broad, solid, and inescapable.
“Ah. There you are. Your sister sent me to fetch you.” A deep voice rumbled over her shoulder, tickled her ear, and sent a jolt down her spine.
Theodora turned to find herself looking directly into a broad muscular chest. Her eyes drifted up and found the gladiator’s hazel eyes alight with mischief and amusement. She opened her mouth to question him, but he pulled her away from Lord Danning before she could utter a word.
They walked to the outer wall where there were less people and, thankfully, some refreshing air.
Theodora looked around. “Well, where is she?”
The gladiator followed her gaze around the room. “Who?”
“You said my sister sent for me.”
“Oh, that.” He shrugged and leaned against a column. “You looked like you needed help. Lord Danning is a dolt, so… you are welcome.”
Theodora’s blood began to boil.
“How dare you. You have interrupted my experiment!” The words were out before she could stop them.
“Ah!” The gladiator straightened and took a step towards her.
It was then she was able to truly take in their height difference. He stood a head above her at least. His dark hair fell over the top of his mask, too. His jaw was square as was his frame. Theodora got the distinct impression that this was a man one simply did not question or push aside.
The notion reminded her of her father and her resolve returned. She stood taller, trying to meet him eye to eye. Or eye to chest. She tilted her head as her brows furrowed.
“Ah? Whatever do you mean by ‘Ah’?”
The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small book.
She gasped when she noticed that it was hers.
Her hands quickly tangled with the tassels of the satchel at her waist. The bag was empty.
The notebook must have slipped out during one of her hasty retreats.
Her only hope was that this gladiator was a gentleman and did not open it—
“It is my belief that one can sufficiently prove the notion of ‘butterflies’ in one’s stomach in relation to a kiss is just distress caused by hysteria.
” His fingers turned the page and his eyes lit up.
“Ah, this is my favorite one,” he said with a devilish wink.
“The next and final stage of romance’s grand delusion is the physical act of love. ”
“Do try to have some decorum by not reading out my experiment for the entire ton to hear!” she hissed.
She did not know what was worse, the fact that this stranger stood in front of her, reading from her notebook or the fact that his voice sent unfamiliar shockwaves through her body.
“For a woman who is so concerned with decorum, you certainly have an interest in quite the opposite.” His voice rolled over her like velvet.
She shuddered and took a step back.
This is just my body, distressed. The man himself has no effect on me, but his actions do.
With a bit of clarity, she shook off the feeling. She reached out and snatched her notebook back. “It is rude to look at something that is not yours.”
The gladiator’s eyes flared behind his mask. “Is that so?” He purred. “Well, to settle your worry, I only looked at a few pages but, as I noted, I did take interest in your seven stages of delusion.”
Theodora looked around the room. Surely her sister should be showing up with another man for her.
“Tell me…” He looked over her costume. “I am sorry, but what are you supposed to be?”
Theodora let out an exasperated sigh. “An alchemist!”
The gladiator shook his head in acknowledgement. “So, tell me, sorceress—”
“Alchemist,” she interjected with annoyance.
He ignored her correction. “You would not have been conducting an experiment with the gentlemen off the ton tonight, would you?”
Theodora chewed her bottom lip, an action she noticed he paid attention to keenly. She shifted her weight between her feet as she held her book close to her chest.
“And if I was?”
The gladiator snorted. “You might want to consider changing your outfit if you want any man here to take the bait.”
“Ah ha!” Theo stuck her finger in the air. “So, it is about what is pleasing to the eye. For you, and Lord Daniel…” She nodded in the direction of the dance floor. “Attraction has nothing to do with magic feelings but is a reaction to something the mind designates as pleasant.”
The gladiator stood staring at her. “I am afraid that is true. Men are visual creatures. And at this moment you do not look…visually pleasing.”
Theo sighed. “If love at first sight existed, it was supposed to transcend all rationale. I am dressed as a homely alchemist, and no one wants anything to do with me. Perhaps I should have dressed as a French courtesan instead.”
Theodora needed to find a quill to write all this down. She looked up at the gladiator who stared at her intently.
“I imagine you would look fine as a French courtesan.” He smirked.
Theodora blinked. “How dare you!”
The gladiator stretched his long arms out to the side and shrugged. “You stated it. I am just agreeing with you.”
“Men are so shallow. The simplest things can seduce and ruin them.” She shook her head in exasperation.
“And you intelligent women should learn not to write your deepest, darkest thoughts for a stranger to find.” He looked pointedly at her notebook, and she slipped it back into her satchel.
“Is this your first Season?” He inquired.
Theodora’s mind was too busy dissecting this latest information and wanting to find a study or library to process what she just discovered.
“What?” She asked absently as her eyes looked around for a door.
“It seems you may need some help with a few of your stages. I can teach you how to interact with men.” The gladiator’s offer was tempting but she did not want to owe anyone any favors.
She looked into his eyes. Her body noted a slight dip in her stomach, but her mind attributed it to the excitement.
“No thank you. I think I proved just now that I am doing quite well in my journey. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to find my sister.”
Theodora turned towards the door on the other end of the ballroom when she caught a glimpse of her father sneaking outside with another unknown woman. Her vision blurred as the reality of her life crashed down on her.
“Whoa, now. Are you all right?” Strong arms settled around her. A part of her wanted to relax into them and seek comfort where she could find it.
She turned to look at the man when Anna stepped into her vision.
“Theodora!” Anna called out.
Theodora’s world was unraveling around her and she could not focus. When Anna reached them, she gave the gladiator a stern look.
He sighed and Theodora felt his hot breath against her cheek. “Relax, Duchess,” he said in a gentle, coaxing voice. “She seemed to have some kind of dizzy spell.”
Anna’s expression quickly turned into that of concern.
“What has happened?” She held a palm over Theodora’s forehead, feeling for her temperature.
Theodora swatted her friend’s hand away and stood up unsteadily while Anna wrapped an arm around her waist.
“I will take care of her from here, thank you.” She nodded at the gladiator who gave Theodora one last concerning look.
“Take care of yourself and good luck, sorceress.” He flashed her a smile before they walked off.
“Are you all right, Theo? You have gone pale.”
“Yes, do not fret. I have just not eaten much since I arrived.”
Anna nodded and gently guided her, but Theodora still felt the gladiator’s eyes on her.
“What was that about, Anna?” Theodora spoke unsteadily.
She was curious about her friend’s interaction with the mysterious gentleman.
“I am all for your experiment, Theodora, but I will not allow you to spend time alone with the Scarlet Duke.”
Theodora frowned. “Who, pray do tell, is the Scarlet Duke?”