“A peacock is male, A peahen is a female version of the same bird,” Theodora pointed out.
Evelina’s eyes washed over her as she nodded discreetly at her partner then stepped away from the dancing for a moment. “I’m assuming you are some mystical magician from days gone past?’
“Close. I am an alchemist.”
She brushed several strands of Theodora’s auburn hair off her shoulders. “Your hair fell from its pins.”
“I did not pay much attention to it; does it look all right?”
Evelina cupped her chin. “You are the most beautiful alchemist at the ball.”
Theodora blushed and looked out over the crowd. The gentleman who had been dancing with Evelina had already disappeared and Theo had to resist the urge to snort.
Men are so fickle. Her partner will surely find another lady in a few moments and return to the dance floor without issue.
Theodora considered sharing this observation with Evelina, but said something more genial instead, “Where is our hostess? Iwould like to congratulate her on her anniversary. Then I can properly start my experiment.”
Her sister nodded to the dessert table where Anna stood amongst several people. “She is entertaining her guests. Go on. I have a few gentlemen I would like to introduce you to afterwards.”
She grimaced at the latter notion and made her way through the crowd towards Anna.
She was several feet away when the crowd shifted, revealing a tall, muscular man with broad shoulders and donning, what appeared to be, a gladiator costume. His long scarlet cloak flowed effortlessly behind him as he raised a glass to his lips.
Theodora watched as he sipped on his wine. A red droplet fell down his chin and landed on his chest. She gulped. She had never seen someone so…distracting. She blamed the costume for catching her eye, but his exposed arms and ropes of muscles proved her wrong. He wore a gold mask that covered half of his face, revealing his piercing hazel eyes that were staring right at her.
Theodora’s steps halted abruptly as she noticed a slow grin emerge from behind his glass. A slight buzzing began to thrum in her head and an odd sensation settled in the pit of her stomach. She did not know the identity of the masked gladiator but knew instinctively that he was not the type of gentleman with whom she wished to conduct her experiment.
Theodora quickly changed directions before her arm was caught by an outstretched hand.
“Theodora!” Her sister reemerged with a man by her side.
She forced a smile as she looked at her sister.
“This is Duc d’Orlèans. He is visiting from Paris and is an old family friend of the Duke of Wutherton.”
Theodora dipped her head and greeted the gentlemen.
Duc d'Orléans’s eyes wandered down Theodora’s body making her shift uncomfortably.
He already did not interest her.
“I should like to know more about you. From your sister’s description, you seem like an interesting character.” The man’s beady eyes locked onto hers and her skin crawled.
“Why, I would not know where to start.” She laughed nervously.
Theodora turned to her sister for help, but she had disappeared into the crowd. As Theo scanned the masked faces, she noticed the gladiator staring at her from afar. Her pulse sped up and she felt her skin bloom with heat.
How interesting that a masked man has this effect on me.
The Duke coughed, bringing Theodora’s attention back to him.
“My apologies, Duc d'Orléans. I only just arrived and am still getting acclimated to all the costumes.” She waved her hand to the brightly colored women gossiping by the refreshments.
Duc d'Orléans eyes landed on Evelina.
His lips twitched. “Your sister is a very lovely woman.”
“She is quite lovely,” Theodora agreed. Her fingers absently played with the tassels of her satchel.
