“It’s endearing, actually,” Ambrose laughed.
Isadora cleared her throat, reaching for her glass. “This conversation is absurd.”
She was annoyed athimagain. Perfect.
“No, this conversation is proof that you are, indeed, the most noteworthy person here,” Evan continued. Isadora’s breathing shifted slightly, and he didn’t miss the way she faltered before taking a sip of her wine.
Ambrose leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with amusement. “I see what you’re doing here,” Ambrose whispered, so that only the Duke could hear. “And I have to say,well played.”
Evan only smiled because he had already won. Lord Bellington sat, ignored. And Isadora—well, she only had eyes for him.
When the dinner was finally over and the guests began to rise, Evan stood immediately, stepping beside Isadora before anyone else could. His hand settled at her waist, his fingers pressing lightly against the silk of her gown. He felt her breath hitch ever so slightly.
Good.
She straightened her posture, but Evan did not move away. Isadora shot him a look from the corner of her eye. “You are forgetting your manners.”
“Am I?” Evan smirked, leaning in just enough that his breath brushed her temple.
“You do not need to hover like this. We are in public.” Isadora let out a deep breath.
“I am not hovering,” he said smoothly. “I am merely ensuring my wife does not get lost in the crowd.”
“We are indoors,” she deadpanned.
“You have already disappeared on me once tonight.” His fingers flexed lightly at her waist. “You wouldn’t want me to worry again, would you?”
“You are very confusing, do you know that?” Isadora blinked at him.
“Am I?” Evan challenged. He liked it when she was annoyed with him like this. It meant that he was the only oneon her mind.
“Yes,” she muttered. “One moment, I think you hardly notice my presence, and the next, you are—” she gestured vaguely, as if she couldn’t find the words.
“Hovering?” he offered, amused.
“Ensuring I do not get lost as you put it.” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Well, I did notice you were gone,” he said lightly, his grip on her waist tightening slightly. “And perhaps Lord Bellington did too.”
“Lord Bellington?” Isadora’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze snapping up to his. “Is that what this is about?”
“No, he is far too unimportant,” Evan snarled as he said his name.
“Right. So, it is entirely random, then?” She studied him, as if piecing together a puzzle. “That you’ve been glued to my side ever since dinner ended.”
“I call it attentiveness,” he shrugged.
“Confusingwould be a better word,” she sighed.
“Oh?” Evan murmured, leaning in slightly. “Well, I could help you understand. But somehow, I get the feeling that the appeal lies in letting some things go unsaid.”
She turned her head to face him fully, her lips parting as if she was about to speak—but then she hesitated, as if she had lost an internal argument with herself. He watched her for a moment, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
Thought so.
He was not the only one who enjoyed this little game they played.
“We should return to our hosts,” he murmured after a moment.
