Page 13 of A Father's Insistence

Chapter Seven

Theodore

Ican’t help worrying that presenting Joanna as my wife at the society function we’re about to walk into is too soon. It’s only been a few weeks since my father rescued her, and in the formal halter neck evening gown she’s wearing, it’s still possible to see how painfully thin she is. Although the deep purple colored gown is designed to hide the scars that litter her back, she’s conscious of her appearance and fidgets constantly, which is something society girls are schooled against at an early age. Common sense tells me to turn away from the ornately decorated doors welcoming us into the banqueting hall, but instead, I allow the inherent determination within me for revenge against the Cavendish brothers to take over.

“The Honorable Theodore Hamilton, son of Viscount Arthur Hamilton and his wife Lady Joanna, the daughter of the Earl of Linton,” an announcer introduces us, and to an audible gasp, we enter the room with our heads held high. Well, my head is held high—Joanna is trying her best, but the sea of faces greeting her must be daunting. I can feel her body shaking under my touch as I guide her into the room. I take us straight over to an old school friend of mine whose wife I know will be happy to keep Joanna company for the evening.

“Sebastian, Emily,” I greet them with a handshake for my friend and a kiss to the cheek for his wife.

“Did we just hear right?” Sebastian asks, a glass of Champagne poised at his lips.

“You did. Let me introduce you to my wife. Joanna, this is Sebastian, an old school friend of mine, and his wife, Emily.”

Sebastian leans forward to greet Joanna, but she steps behind my back. My friend eyes me questioningly, and I shoot him a look to tell him not to ask here but to accept it. He does so with a mouthful of Champagne.

Emily waves at Joanna.

“I love the color of your dress. Who’s the designer?” I knew my friend’s wife would be able to put Joanna at ease. I turn around to bring her back to my side, and she looks up at me as if asking permission to answer the question.

“Freedom, remember,” I tell her, and she strokes her hand down the purple silk of her gown.

“It’s Stella McCartney. I love her clothes, and Theodore bought it especially for me to wear tonight.”

“She’s an amazing designer. I’ve got so many of her outfits in my wardrobe.” Emily replies.

A waiter passes with a tray of Champagne, and I take two glasses. I hand one to Joanna, and she looks at it like it’s poisoned.

“I’ve not had alcohol in a year,” she whispers so quietly I can barely hear what she says.

“Would you prefer a soft drink?”

She shakes her head.

“I want to be normal. I like Champagne.”

“Then drink as much as you want,” I say, laughing to try and dispel her tension.

“I’ll just have the one.” She takes a sip and a big smile crosses her face. I’ll need to watch how much she consumes as her body is still recovering and won’t be used to the potency of the alcohol, but I’m glad she’s trying it, at least for the time being. When I look up, I see the dark fury behind my friend’s eyes. He’s not stupid and is forming his own opinions as to what has happened to Joanna because it’s well known she’s been missing from society for a year. My conversation with him later is going to be a very interesting one indeed.

The conversation hushes again when the gong sounds to announce another guest.

“His Grace, Nicholas Cavendish, Duke of Oakfield. William Cavendish, Earl of Lullington, and his wife, Tamara, Countess of Lullington.”

The silence is broken when a glass smashes on the floor. I look down at my feet to see Champagne splashed up my trousers and crystal at my feet. I don’t need to look up to know it’s Joanna who’s dropped her glass at the introduction of the new guests. Emily reacts before I do as the crowd goes back to their gossip.

“Oh brilliant, another klutz just like me. I’m terrible. The first time I met Sebastian’s mother, I bumped into a table and knocked a family heirloom on to the floor. Ever since then, whenever I go to visit them, they hide anything valuable away.” Emily laughs and offers Joanna her hand. “Why don’t we go and powder our noses and allow the men to sort this out. Is that all right, Theo?”

Joanna’s eyes go wide. She looks between me and Emily, and then across to where Nicholas and William are being greeted by other guests at the party. My nostrils flare with anger. How these two deviant monsters can still be freely walking around when the woman next to me was broken by them is unbelievable? They will get theirs, though, I’ll see to that. But not just yet. For now I need to be the strong man I’ve been taught to be, and pushing all feelings of retribution aside, I need to look after my wife.

“Of course,” I tell Emily. “I’ll clean my trousers as well.”

“I’ll join you,” Sebastian immediately adds, placing his empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray before taking his wife’s arm. I bend my arm to allow Joanna to place her hand through mine, and we lead them to the bathrooms as waiters scamper behind us to clean up the broken glass.

“I’ll wait here for you,” I inform Joanna before Emily takes her a little reluctantly into the ladies’ bathroom. Sebastian follows me into the gentlemen’s bathroom and does his business as I set about trying to wipe down my trousers. While washing his hands, he raises an eyebrow at me in the mirror.

“So, you going to tell me?”

“It’s a long story and not really one for a public bathroom.”

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