Would this not ruin everything?
“I suppose we will find out,” she sighed, pushing the thought out of her mind.
CHAPTER14
Where has she gone? She was just here a moment ago, and now she is nowhere to be seen.
As much as Christopher tried to prevent it, his sole focus was only on Frances that night. Phillip had whisled him to the refreshments table, but even the drink was not enough to keep his attention there. A deep frown creased his forehead.
“What is going on with you tonight?” Phillip asked, as his patience ran thin. “I feel as though your mind is somewhere else entirely.”
Christopher couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over him since they arrived. Suddenly, he noticed Frances re-entering the ballroom with her sisters, and relief washed over him immediately.
There she was.
Phillip followed his gaze, and then a knowing smirk crossed his lips. “Oh. So, that is what is happening…” he teased. “Say, Christopher. I never did take you for the possessive sort. But do not worry, no one is going to steal her away tonight if she is out of your sight for a moment only.”
Christopher sighed, running a hand through his hair and choosing to ignore his friend’s little remark. “I think I made a mistake buying that dress for her.”
“Mistake?” Phillip chuckled, before taking a sip of his drink. “I think you are being a little bit harsh. She looks fantastic, as a duchess should.”
“That is precisely the problem,” Christopher muttered through gritted teeth, staring at her from across the room once again.
“I am afraid that I have lost you there, my friend,” Phillip replied, confused.
“Everyone can see how beautiful Frances is. I should have bought her a simpler dress. All night, I’ve been thinking about how I wanted to be the only one who gets to see her at her best. Now everyone is staring at her.”
That made Phillip laugh so hard that he nearly choked on his drink. He patted his friend on the back.
“My word. I thought I would never see the day. You had always maintained that you were immune,” he said. “But look at you now, experiencing a classic case of jealousy.”
Christopher shook his head. “I am merely worried about all the attention she is getting. Surely, she would not enjoy it, knowing how she likes to keep to herself.”
Phillip was not convinced in the slightest. “Sure, you may keep telling yourself that…”
“Is that Lord Bethem going to her?” Christopher asked, suddenly charged up.
But the man only passed her by, leaving Christopher feeling rather stupid for having such a reaction. Perhaps Phillip was right.
“I feel like I will go mad tonight,” Christopher muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
Frances looked too stunning. Undoubtedly the most beautiful woman here tonight. On the one hand, he felt proud that he was the one who she had come here with tonight. But at the same time, he felt annoyed that everyone else could look at her, too.
He was willing to gouge anyone’s eyes out if their gaze lingered longer than it should.
“Lighten up, chap. You are not going mad. In fact, that’s what being in love feels like. You want to protect her, keep her to yourself. It’s perfectly natural.”
Christopher mulled over his friend’s words. Could this be the case? Love?
Surely, it felt like too strong a word.
“I would be careful, Phillip, not to go so far…” He quickly gulped down the remainder of his drink.
“Hmm, you should not lie to yourself if this is how you feel. I know love is a strange concept to you, but it is hardly a sin. Need I remind you again that you are married to her?” Phillip pressed.
Christopher shook his head. It was almost as though he felt guilty for thinking about Frances romantically.
“We only married for the twins. Nothing more.”