Theo took a deep, steadying breath as he watched Lady Rusche enter the ballroom of Ravenswood House alongside her parents. He took a fortifying sip of brandy as his heart constricted painfully like always around her. He was used to her constant rejection, but this time was different. “Why does she have to be so lovely?” he murmured as he gathered his courage. Theo recalled the surprise and warmth that ran through him when Lady Rusche had approached him at a tea shop. When she’d discreetly asked for a moment of his time, he’d happily follow her out of the shop and around the corner to a small park. He’d listened intently as she'd explained her situation, her parents' ultimatum, and readily agreed to pretend to court her for as long as she'd like. She'd said it was only until the first of the year and not to get carried away. Today, Theo steeled his nerves as he set his glass down and crossed the ballroom to her. He knew that, for once, she'd be receptive to his attention or pretend to be anyway. Per her request yesterday, he would make a show of courting her where her parents and the most gossiping members of the ton would be. Despite her earlier assertion not to get carried away, Theo was a man of grand gestures and deep passion. He wouldn't waste an opportunity to win her heart when presented with it.