goods in the eyes of the other eligible men in town. At least those who’d been willing to put up with her attitude for a date.
Or maybe they’d realized the truth about the breakup. Theodora Middlebright came with a heavy paternal burden.
What man wanted that? None, apparently. And that realization had added to Theo’s bad attitude and bitter outlook. Her nickname had taken on new strength after her breakup with Pinter.
Tonight was different, though. All Robin wanted was company. She could do that. And if things seemed to be going in the direction of a date, then she’d gently remind him that no matter what happened, she would leave in a year.
Back to Limbo. Back to her father. Back to her life.
In that moment, she understood perfectly what Robin had meant when he’d said this house had become his prison. He was bound by magic. She was bound by duty.
Chapter Nineteen
With that unpleasantness still whirling through her head, Theo made herself put the magnificent dress back on. Then she slipped her feet into the simple black heels she’d found and went off to the bathroom to see about a brush.
She found one in a drawer of other beauty utensils. Most of it, including the brush, looked unused. How long had Vesta actually lived here? Theo was starting to wonder. Maybe she’d ask at dinner.
She dug around a little more and found a pair of jeweled hair clips. She perched on the vanity stool and did the best she could with her hair. She ended up with a couple of simple braids, pulled back and clipped together. Overall, a very nice effect. Certainly nothing like a lady’s maid or a hairdresser could have pulled off.
More searching and she came up with some cosmetics, again almost all untouched. She broke the seal on a few and found them in decent shape even after so much time. She didn’t want much anyway. Just a touch of liner and a swoop of sparkling gray over her lids. The cake mascara worked fine after wetting the brush, and the rouge, something she barely touched, was enough after one swipe.
The pot of sheer silver glitter was open and a little messy, but that didn’t stop her from dabbing the slightest bit of it along the points of her ears. She turned her head side to side in the mirror. Maybe she didn’t need earrings after all.
Finally, she found a sealed pot of rose gloss for her lips, and she was done. She’d never imagined a day would come when she’d be wearing the queen’s clothes, shoes, and makeup.
She wondered what her mother would think. Probably have a good laugh. Then tell her to have fun.
Theo touched the starstone-and-emerald necklace. “I plan to, Mama.”
Surprisingly, her fifty-five minutes were almost up. She stood, gathered her skirts, which made the loveliest rustling sound when she walked, and headed for the foyer to meet Robin.
He was already there. And so handsome, her breath caught in her throat. In his dark suit and steely blue shirt, he looked every inch the warrior king.
She smiled when she was able to breathe again. “Your shirt matches my dress.”
“That’s why I picked it.” He shook his head as he looked at her. “You look stunning. I mean…I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you. But if you polish stones as well as you polish up yourself, you’ll be a master stonecutter in no time.”
She laughed, lightheaded from his compliments. “Thank you. You look very regal.” She swallowed down a knot of nerves. “And very handsome, too, if I might say so.”
“You might. Thank you.”
“No blade?” It was the only thing he seemed to be missing.
He held his arms out. “None. Do you think I need one?”
“No. I don’t have one either. Feels odd. But I suppose they’re not as required in the house.”
“No.” With a little chuckle, he bowed and held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes. Be warned, though. I may hold on tighter as we go down the stairs. I can walk in heels all right, but it’s still a bit like being on stilts.”
“Would you prefer we take the elevator?”
“No, the stairs are fine.” There was something very dramatic about walking down an elegant staircase in a ball gown. And if she didn’t do it now, when would she ever get the chance again?
“All right. Hang on to me, though. I’m here for you.” He smiled. “I mean that.”
“Thank you.” She took his arm, wrapping her hand firmly around