“Would you not marry someone if it came with a title?” Helen asked. “The man you’re with tonight could very well hold one someday.”
Even though Esaias claimed to have renounced his status, there were no formal documents to prove it. If something were to happen to his siblings, he would assume one of their titles.
“I wouldn’t marry someone for the title. I would be saddled with someone like…” Amaris’s voice strained, but Theo knew she wished to saysomeone like the duke. “Well, if they happen to have one, I’d consider it.”
“Theodoric, there you are.” The voice came from none other than Genevieve.
“Mother.” Theo smiled.
It felt wrong to refer to her by anything else. She’d raised Theo since the age of ten, but he felt he was wronging his real mother for using her name for another woman. He’d once referred to Genevieve by her first name, and she burst into tears. Ever since, with great reluctance, he’d called herMother.
“Your Grace, it’s a delight to see you.” Genevieve beamed, grasping Helen’s hand. Her red hair fell over her shoulder, the top pinned back with a diamond-studded comb. “This must be the lovely Miss Lawson.”
“Ann,” Theo said, motioning to Amaris and clearing his throat as he forced the unfamiliar name from his lips. “This is my mother, the Duchess of Luana.”
“Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Amaris dipped into a small curtsy, which Theo’s stepmother waved off before embracing her in a hug and planting a kiss upon both of Amaris’s cheeks.
“I do hope you will allow me to commandeer Theodoric and Helen for a few moments,” Genevieve pleaded to Amaris.
“Of course, he’s your son.” Amaris faked a smile and took a drink from her goblet.
“Allow me to leave Ann in Esaias’s company first—” Theo began.
“It’ll only be for a few short moments.” Genevieve captured Theo in her clutches and whisked him and Helen toward her throng of noble friends.
Amaris stood alone, but there wasn’t fear behind her gaze. Theo tried to pull from his stepmother’s talons, but she held firm to his arm. Anyone could recognize Amaris, but she gave him a smile and motioned for him to follow along.
“Theodoric, I’d like you to speak with our guests,” Genevieve said.
He reluctantly followed her to the dais, where he’d be forced to play the part of his bloodline. As a captain, he was thankful to refrain from using the courtesy title of “lord.” He might have still been one, but his military rank was distinguishable enough to overtake it. His conversations would likely be skewed toward security efforts or other topics relating to their forces. He reminded himself to act the part for Amaris.
They approached the long table, decorated in a lacy tablecloth with red wildflowers planted in the center. Lord Godfrey was still busy in conversation with Theo’s father and had pulled him from prying ears.
“As you know, this is Lady Godfrey,” Genevieve said, gesturing to Winifred as she came around the table in greeting.
Theo bowed, and Lady Godfrey extended a curtsy before nudging the young woman beside her to follow suit. Petra was a near replica of her mother.
“How do you do, Lord Fastrada?” Petra said with a bold expression. Her golden-brown eyes drifted between the people scattered around the dais waiting to congratulate her. She breathed a sigh.
“Captain,” Theo corrected her.
“Oh?” Petra questioned, snapping her thin face and high cheekbones toward him. Her eyes weren’t warm like her mother’s, only cold silhouettes.
“Theo cannot stand to be associated amongst the upper class. Heprefers his military title,” Luther crooned. “Your Grace.” He reached for Helen’s hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles.
She pulled away and sent Theo a cringe.
“Congratulations, brother.” Theo didn’t offer Luther a smile.
There was a time when they were younger when he would’ve called him one of his best friends. That was before Luther had been called inside for his political training. Theo’s days had then grown longer, and he’d developed a bond with Nate, after hours of sore muscles and fresh calluses. Now, Luther was another noble to sit among the wealthy elites of Godwin and another member of high society for Theo to despise.
“Thank you.” Luther forced a smile before he took Petra’s hand and escorted her through the finely decorated throne room.
Theo took it as a means for an exit and linked Helen’s arm with his and began leading her off the dais. He scanned the room to find Amaris, but before he could take another step, Genevieve’s eyes lit with excitement. She pulled him toward the throng of her noble posse seated on the other side of the room.
“I would like to introduce you to someone,” she said, beaming.
Theo was wary of her expression and could only guess who she was excited to introduce him to.
