does Elswood.”
The two women glanced around. Em shook her head. “Well, how about that? I guess I’m out of luck.” She laughed. “Maybe there’s a spell I can learn.”
“Oh, are you a witch, too?” Theo asked.
“I am.”
It pleased Robin to see the three women getting on so well. Theo needed friends, and he couldn’t imagine any better than Amelia’s niece and Deacon’s sister.
Tonight was going to be very good. He could feel it. Why on earth had he waited so long to do this? Because he hadn’t had Theo at his side. Feeling more royal than he had in ages, he gestured toward the dining room. “Shall we go in to dinner?”
* * *
As soon as they were close to the table, Theo saw that someone, Mrs. Baton maybe, had put little cards at each seat with their names on them. Assigned seats? Was that standard at a fancy dinner party? She wasn’t sure. But she didn’t like that she and Robin had been separated.
Although maybe that was how it was done. Theo wished she knew. Probably time to get an etiquette book from the library next.
Robin was at one end of the table, while Theo was at the other. At least she could see him over the low centerpiece of flowers and gem-encrusted candlesticks. She recognized all the flowers from the garden outside. She supposed the purple roses were a nod to Amelia. There was even some of the vine that covered the pavilion woven through. The little white flowers gleamed like stars. She liked the arrangement very much. Whoever had made up the centerpiece had done a good job.
On either side of Robin were Amelia and Deacon. On either side of Theo were Emeranth and Gracie. That kept family together on each side of the table. That seemed right. Except Em and Deacon were a couple.
Theo started to think maybe couples weren’t supposed to sit next to each other at fancy dinner parties. A second later, she smiled. Had she just thought of herself and Robin as a couple? That was new and interesting. She liked it, though.
Elswood and the new footman took care of filling wineglasses.
Deacon held his hand over his glass. “I’m more of a beer man, myself.”
Robin looked at Elswood. “Bring the man a beer. We have that, don’t we?”
Elswood frowned. “I don’t know.”
“I’m sure Henry has beer,” Robin countered.
Deacon lifted his hand as if to say stop. “Don’t go to any trouble. Water is fine.”
Robin shook his head. “It’s no trouble.”
“No, sir,” Elswood said. “Not at all.”
Robin seemed immensely happy to Theo. And very much at ease. But then, big dinners and fancy parties must have been regular occurrences when he was king.
She liked watching him. Not just because he was incredibly handsome or because he’d declared his affection for her, although neither of those things hurt, but rather because he was so charming and carried the evening like he’d been born to the noble life.
Quite a feat for someone who was as common as she was. It gave her hope that she could do all right as well, shake off her nerves and behave like a civilized being. She really didn’t want to make a mistake that would embarrass Robin in front of his guests.
But Em and Grace were so nice that they’d already put her mostly at ease. Having people be kind to her was new. Of course, these women didn’t know her reputation, and they hadn’t been subjected to her mean side, nor would they be.
Theo was done with that part of herself. At least while she lived here. If she had to go back to Limbo, which was a possibility if her father didn’t want to move, she’d have no choice but to become Moody again.
It was her best protection against that world.
The new footman finished filling everyone’s glasses, and Elswood brought Deacon a beer.
When everyone had their beverages, Robin raised his glass. “Here’s to new friends.” His gaze was on her as he smiled. “And new beginnings.”
They all drank to that.
Theo took more than a little sip of her wine, just to take the last bit of edge off her nerves. They were fading, but she still worried she’d do something stupid.
Gracie set her glass back down. “That green really suits you.”
“Thank you,” Theo answered. She almost blurted out that it was a hand-me-down from the queen that the queen knew nothing about, but she caught herself at the last moment. Probably wise. Like her mother had always taught