Page 159 of He's the One

Col took a grumbling Theo back inside. Guests were mingling in the hall, being plied with canapésand drinks by the staff. Col could hear the orchestra playing properly now, something classical. Theo had spent days working on the playlist, ignoring his father’s request for ABBA.This was not going to be an evening with that sort of music.

“We don’t need to do anything but enjoy ourselves,” Col told him. “You’ve employed enough people to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“I want it to be perfect.” Theo leaned back into Col’s embrace.

“It will be.”

“Are you nervous?” Theo asked.

“I’ll feel better once we sit down to eat.”

“I’m glad we arranged to do our thing before food.” Theo looked at one of the many clocks in the entrance hall. “Not long now.”

When the appetisers had been consumed and people began making their way into the ballroom, Col and Theo moved to their appointed positions. Theo stood on one side of the room, Col on the other. Henry, who’d stayed on as estate manager but was retiring—again—after Christmas, was the master of ceremonies and he was on the raised platform near the table where the marquis and James would sit along with Col and Theo—once they’d done this opening sequence.

“Good evening,” Henry said into the mic.

Everyone gradually quieted.

“Welcome to kings and queens, those from the seelie and unseelie courts, lords and ladies, elves, pixies, orcs and…” He took a roll of paper from his pocket and let it unravel down to the ground. “Dragon riders, gnomes, trolls, sprites, dryads and…humans.”

There was a titter of amusement at that.

“Welcome to the first ball of the Winter Kings. We’d ask that you remain seated for the next few minutes while the food…oh.”

The orchestra stuck up loudly on cue and the first man leapt into the centre of the room. Sev was brilliant, a ballet dancer who’d been at school with Theo, and he jumped so high those watching gave a gasp that was audible above the music. A seemingly random passing waiter put down his tray of drinks and joined Sev, the two of them dancing in perfect unity. Col noticed several puzzled faces and wondered when the penny would drop.

Theo had planned a flash mob dance with music from the TV showSuccession,perfect for this because it was relatively straightforward to coordinate movements to the strong beat and dissonant hip-hop. Jacket off, Col stood ready to take his place with the others. He took a deep breath, then spun into the centre as he’d practised over and over until he could do it without falling over. Theo was last one in, taking a position at the front of the group with Col.

On the agreed beat, they all moved in unison, stepping forward three paces before spinning around. Adrenaline kicked in, and Col stopped thinking about the next step he needed to make and instead enjoyed himself. Even so, this was way out of his comfort zone. He’d spent hours practising, not just with Theo and the others, most of whom were professional dancers, but on his own.

The performance didn’t go on for long, and one by one, they moved off the floor until only Col and Theo were left. Hands joined, they turned around the room in a hybrid tango until they came to a halt in front of Theo’s father and James. They made a deep bow as the music ended, then slid off to the side.

The applause was deafening and out of sight of everyone, Col planted his lips against Theo’s. A bit of a mistake because, as usual, a quick kiss was impossible.

“Brilliant.” Col licked his ear.

“Bastard,” Theo moaned. “Now I need my coat or I’m going to look really…”

“Hot.” But Col went to get them.

When they joined the marquess and James at their table, they embraced each other before sitting down. Theo touched his pocket.Still there.

“Well done, both of you,” his father said.

The serving of the food began as the orchestra played quietly in the background.

“How long have you been practising?” James asked.

“Couple of weeks for me.” Theo grinned. “Seven months for Col. Daily. And he still made a mistake.”

“What? When?” Col frowned.

“I’m only kidding.”

“It’s not my thing,” Col said. “But Theo is very persuasive.”

“Talking of persuasive, when are the dinosaurs arriving?” his father asked.

---