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Tobias realized he hadn’t answered Avery.
“It is indeed remarkable.”
His gaze strayed to Emily, positively radiant in a silver and ice-blue gown overlaid with pearl-studded white lace. Her upswept hair revealed an alabaster throat, and the sapphire and diamond jewels at her ears, throat, and wrist sparkled and twinkled from the light of hundreds of candles.
She was all that was perfection and goodness. As beautiful in character and personality as she was in outward appearance.
Tobias was convinced he couldn’t love her any more, yet his love grew exponentially every day. That was the remarkable thing about love; there was no limit to love's depth, width, or breadth. The heart and soul could accommodate an unlimited amount.
“Now you’re staring, Heatherston.” Wry humor colored San Sebastian’s murmured words, meant for Tobias’s ears alone. “When are ye going to do something about it?”
Tobias didn’t have to ask what “it” was. He’d been friends with San Sebastian too long to pretend ignorance. Tobias cast him a sidelong look before resting his attention on Emily once more. “She needs time.”
“Justina has never revealed precisely what troubles her aunt.” San Sebastian crossed his legs, his gaze penetrating but not prying. “But I have the utmost admiration for Emily and would see her happy and content.”
“That is my intention as well.” If Tobias had his way, she’d never know unhappiness, insecurity, or trepidation again.
As if sensing she was the subject of their discussion, Emily glanced in their direction. Her gaze swung between them, a tiny crease between her eyebrows.
Tobias lifted his glass of champagne in a silent toast to her, and a brilliant smile blossomed across her face before Justina said something and drew her attention away.
“Well, well, well.” Grinning like a stray cat who’d discovered a saucer of warm cream, San Sebastian raised his flute. “I’d say felicitations will be in order sooner rather than later, my friend.”
Tobias prayed his San Sebastian was right. His future happiness depended upon it. Nevertheless, he was a patient man.
What was that adage?
The best things were worth waiting for?
He’d wait as long as it took for Emily to come to love him.
The production began, and the audience settled in to watch the performance of…
Devil a bit.
What were they watching?
Had anyone told Tobias?
If so, he couldn’t recall.
A small, secretive smile arching her mouth, Emily glanced his way before focusing on the stage.
If his life depended on it, he couldn’t have told a soul what the play was about. He should have observed Avery, but his deuced regard repeatedly gravitated to Emily. Until, at last, he stopped fighting against the temptation and simply relished watching her.
Intermission arrived much too soon, and he dragged his focus from her to the rows of boxes across from them. The enigmatic Cortland Marlow-Westbrook, heir presumptive to the Elridge earldom, sat directly across from them. His dark eyes hooded and contemplative, Marlow-Westbrook regarded Avery with something more than passing interest.
Marlow-Westbrook’s gaze swung to Tobias, and the young blood cocked an eyebrow, a wry smile skewing his mouth.
He rose and exited his box.
Tobias would bet Spioradthatthe gentleman, known for his horsemanship and sharp, cutting wit, made his way to Pennington’s box at this very minute to beg an introduction to Avery.
Tobias didn’t know Marlow-Westbrook well. However, the man had a reputation for fairness, and no unsavory habits were linked to his name.
Avery could do far worse than an heir to an earldom.
Still, the choice would be hers, and Tobias would not rush his niece. If she didn’t want to marry until she was thirty, it was her life. He’d been deliberately obtuse in leaking the precise amount of her dowry to avoid attracting fortune hunters.
