“Am I not a natural?” Theo murmured.
Still, he ruffled his hair and tore a button from his waistcoat. Then, he slid down the wall, as if he could no longer stand. He let his head loll onto his shoulder and groaned.
Right at that moment, Joshua passed the room. He peeked in, his eyes narrowed with anger and suspicion. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Daniel and Theo on the floor.
“Stonewynn, where is she?” he asked.
Daniel wondered if Joshua was also drunk. Meanwhile, he kneeled on the floor as if he were inspecting his friend. He affected a bored scowl, the type that usually made people scramble backward and away from him.
“Where is who, Marsleigh? Because if you are looking for a dance partner, the Marquess is indisposed. He is also a terrible lead if he does manage to wake from his drunken stupor.”
Joshua could not hide the disgust on his face. His upper lip curled, and his eyes flashed at the sight of Theo. Meanwhile, Theo seemed to enjoy being the center of attention and let out a theatrical moan. He was born for this role.
“Everything is spinning,” he slurred, perfecting the wobbling, drunken tone Daniel was used to hearing in taverns. He patted his friend’s shoulder before rising to his full height.
“Disgraceful,” Joshua muttered, walking back a few paces. “Anyway, I am here looking for my sister, Lady Lucy. Someone mentioned she was headed this way.”
“Oh, did she?” Daniel asked coolly, arching an eyebrow. “I have not seen anyone since the Duchess of Wolfcrest stopped by to retrieve a book. Soon after, this drunk oaf followed.”
“Let’s play cards, Stonewynn. Join us, Marbles,” Theo slurred, staggering to the side.
“Marsleigh,” Joshua corrected stiffly.
“Marshes.”
Joshua sighed heavily, his face turning a worrisome shade of purple. He seemed deeply offended by Theo’s inebriation.
“If I find out you are lying, Stonewynn?—”
“Then you are free to call me out, Marsleigh,” Daniel cut in, his voice becoming chilly. “I suggest you look for your sister elsewhere as I tend to my friend.”
Joshua shook his head in disbelief, but finally left the library. His boots clicked loudly on the floor, conveying his frustration and urgency.
As soon as the sound of footsteps faded, Theo straightened up. He smoothed back his hair and fixed his clothes. Nothing could be done about the popped button, but the rest looked well enough.
“You still look slightly drunk, but somehow recovered,” Daniel mumbled.
“It was too much for my skills, Stonewynn,” Theo admitted. He staggered a little, as if he were truly drunk. “Go and see to her. Make sure she is safe. I need time to breathe. Anyway, I am supposed to be half dead.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said simply.
“You’re my friend,” Theo replied with a tight smile.
Lucy managed to reach her destination. As advised, she stayed in the alcove and waited for a moment before joining the rest of the guests.
When she stepped out into the light, she was dizzy from the colors and sounds that attacked her. Even the violins, which she usually loved, sounded like screeching hyenas. She’d never seen or heard a hyena, but she imagined one could be annoying, quite so.
It didn’t look like she needed to pretend to want refreshments. She needed a cold drink.
“There you are.”
The voice was like freezing water. She almost choked on her lemonade. When she turned, she already knew what she would find.
Joshua stood there, his presence commanding and suffocating. He didn’t look at her directly, but the words were directed at her.
“I have been looking for you, Lucy. For almost an hour now. Someone said you might be near the terrace or in the library. I searched both places.”
“I have been here the whole time, Joshua. I felt faint. The noise of the orchestra had been too much for me. But I was just here, hidden in the alcove right over there.”
