Theodora looked around nervously. “I am merely speaking from others’ experiences.”
He noticed how uneasy she looked so he decided to cease digging any further.
“And what of passion?” He dropped his tone so only she would hear him. “Do you believe in that?”
Theodora’s breath caught. “I believe you are referring to hysteria…”
“The act of lovemaking,” he continued, “is much more pleasurable than love itself. I do believe that hysteria is not at all pleasurable.”
Her eyes widened. “You cannot possibly?—”
“I speak from experience,” he cut her off.
“Well, theoretically speaking, the passionate side of love can lead to a certaintypeof hysteria which can be mistaken for something that is good. But it really is just like a glass of wine, or any kind of alcohol, which dilutes our senses and makes us feel something that is not there.” She seemed flustered as she tried to explain her discoveries.
Alexander grabbed her waist more tightly and earned a small gasp from her. “That is theoretically speaking. So, tell me, have you tried anything practical yet?”
Her entire face turned crimson and Alexander grinned.
“What is that blush for?” he asked, amused. “What have you been doing in regard to your experiment?”
She looked away. “I have just been...reading.”
“Reading?” he echoed and immediately remembered the little meetings she had with her friends. “I am curious to know what books contain information about your experiment.”
She glared at him, which only made him smile more. Alexander turned her in coordination with the dancers around them and winced. He had completely forgotten about his injury and the pain from his ribs shot through his entire body.
Theodora’s expression shifted instantly. “Are you in pain?”
“It is nothing,” he said too quickly.
“It is not nothing,” she said firmly. “Tomorrow, I will visit to check on you. And, if you agree, to speak with your sister.”
He hesitated as he thought about her meeting Rosalind again.
What if it does not go well?
Theodora looked up at him expectantly.
Then again, what if it does go well?
Alexander nodded. “You may see her again.”
Theodora exhaled and looked relieved.
He felt a strange sense of warmth at her eagerness to help Rosalind; he just prayed that this time she would not treat his sister like a guinea pig. Alexander pulled her closer and ignored the fiery sensation he felt at their sudden closeness.
“And to return the favor, I will offer some advice for you to flirt with men,” he whispered.
“Do tell?” A new sense of eagerness lit up her eyes.
Alexander shook his head and smiled. “It is so simple, Theodora. All you have to do is try to get them to talk about themselves and, at the very least, you must act interested.”
“That is impossible,” she said dryly and he laughed at her look of disgust.
“You would have to do the impossible for your experiment.” He inclined his head towards her ear and spoke in a deep voice. “I believe that there are only so many stages left before you need to domorethan simply chat with men.”
Alexander pulled back and watched as her lips parted. A deep blush crept up from her bosoms to her neck. But before she could respond, a sharp voice cut through the music.
