Chapter Twenty-Three
THEO
“How do I look?” I ask, doing a spin for Rupert.
“In my eyes, like you’re not just rich, but rich with life.”
“That’s not a bad thing; I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It’s meant to be one, but…mate, what are you doing? She hates the tassels on those shoes.”
I glance down at my loafers and then back up at Rupert. “They’re the only shoes I have that will work with the outfit.”
“Wear your trainers.”
“Have you lost your mind?” I ask, actually insulted at the suggestion. “You don’t wear trainers with an outfit like this.”
“But she hates the tassels.”
“She’ll have to learn to live with the tassels.”
“I don’t think she can learn to live with the tassels. They flop when you walk, and people don’t enjoy that.”
“People like tassels bopping around.”
“Maybe on breasts,” Rupert says with a smirk. “But on shoes, it’s scary.”
“How is a tassel on a shoe scary?”
He shrugs. “Could look like a snake.”
I scoff. “Jesus, you’re not helpful.” I look down at my loafers again and sigh. “What if I cut the tassels off?”
Rupert lights up. “Better yet, why don’t you let her cut the tassels off herself?”
“Hey.” I point at him. “Now you’re explaining your existence. Brilliant idea.”
He takes a bow. “Thank you, thank you. Let me grab you some scissors.”
“Thank you.” I move to the mirror in the hallway and adjust my shirt, making sure everything is in place. “Was Kitty able to convince her to go out with her and Tilly tonight?”
“She did. After a long day of staining, Renley seemed excited to have a relaxing evening.”
“Hope she stays excited when she finds out it’s me she’s spending the evening with.”
“Something tells me that she will be.” Rupert comes back into the room with a pair of scissors and hands them to me. “My suggestion: get down on one knee and offer up the scissors to her as an opening line.”
I nod. “Yes, splendid idea.” I pat him on the back. “See, I knew I brought you here for a reason. You’re not just a butler, you’re an idea man.”
“Never was a butler.”
“Okay. Keep telling yourself that.” I adjust myself one more time in the mirror and then turn to my friend. “Do I look like a man who can secretly win a woman over and convince her to marry him by the end of summer?”
Rupert kisses his fingers and says, “The pure definition of it.”
“Thank you.” I bow.
“You’re welcome.” He bows back.
