Servers in the usual Ardnoch tailcoats and gloves moved through the guests with trays of champagne, offering them to those they passed.
“I used to get a peek at the décor the day of the party, but I’ve never seen the place filled with guests or music.”
Theo gestured to a server who slowed to offer us the tray. My date handed me a glass of champagne before taking one for himself and muttering his thanks. When the server moved away, Theo turned to clink his glass to mine. “To grabbing life by the balls.”
I smiled curiously. “That’s our toast?”
“Yes. Despite your fears, you went after what you wanted when you came to me all those months ago. And despite my utter terror, I went after what I wanted when I chased you here from London.”
Tenderness warmed me and I clinked my glass against his. “To grabbing life by the balls.”
We’d barely taken a drink when my ex-boss Aria Howard appeared with her fiancé North. North and Theo greeted each other easily, which made me relieved for Theo. I knew men weren’t good at admitting such things, but I believed his friendship with North meant a great deal to him.
“Aria, you’re looking effulgent this evening.” Theo gave her a cordial bow of his head.
She grimaced. “Was that an insult?”
I snorted into my champagne glass, but at her suspicious look, I hurried to explain, “It meansradiant.”
“Oh.” Her expression slackened as she turned to Theo. “Well, thanks.”
“It doesn’t sound like a compliment, so I understand your confusion,” I added.
Aria nodded, wrinkling her nose. “It sounds like a fungus.”
Theo barked out a short laugh.
Aria shook her head, a small smile playing on her face. She did look radiant. Her envious curves were accentuated in a dark red dress that made her look like a movie bombshell from the 1950s. “Sarah, can I sneak you away for a second?”
“Of course.” I gave Theo a reassuring smile, then noted his disgruntled frown. A playful side of me felt like sticking my tongue out at him, but I gestured toward North in a silent insistence that he talk with his friend while I was gone.
“You look beautiful,” Aria stated as we walked toward the dining room exit.
My cheeks grew hot. “Oh. Thank you. So do you.”
“I look effulgent, remember.”
I chuckled. “He’s trying.”
Her gaze turned assessing, but a group of people cut us off and we were separated before coming together again, just at theentrance to the great hall. Aria smoothed a hand over her hair. “It’s even busier this year than last.”
“It’s so festive.” And still so surreal to be here as a guest.
“Yeah.” Aria suddenly turned into me, concern marring her expression. “I know it’s none of my business, but I care about you and, although North assures me that Cavendish’s feelings for you are real … I just want to make sure that you’re good. That you’re happy? That Theo isn’t taking advantage of you in a time of grief?”
Gratitude moved me. I placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Ms. Howard, thank you for worrying about me. But I’m fine. I’m better than fine. What happened between Theo and me was unexpected for both of us. But it happened. Neither of us can deny it. And I can handle whatever comes.”
She considered this. “You can, can’t you?”
“I can.”
“You seem different.”
“I am. And I’m not.”
Aria nodded like she understood. “I also want to congratulate you on all your success. And the reason I pulled you away is that someone else would like to congratulate you.” She took my arm and guided me through the crowds along the edge of the dancing.
When we came to a stop before Lachlan and Robyn Adair, those old butterflies fluttered to life.
