Miss Chaumonde’s blatant bid for his favors both amused and exasperated him. She refreshingly lacked the poised artifice and scheming machinations of the London beauties who had set their caps for him in the past. But her schoolgirl transparency made him feel the aged roué. Needless to say, that was not a feeling that sat comfortably. He decided he much preferred Vanessa Mannion’s reserve, though he perversely delighted in upsetting her equilibrium. Also, it was quite evident she did not consider him a potential husband. That knowledge did much to raise her credit in his eyes. He was not in the market for matrimonial leg-shackles, especially to any hoydenish American miss.
He was, however, strangely concerned that she should view Mr. Wilmot as a possible mate. She had allowed herself to be kept close to his side and made no demur at the carriage seating arrangements Miss Chaumonde took upon herself to dictate. If anything, she was amused, for he was quick to note the slight tightening and curving of her lips at Paulette’s suggestions. For all her seriousness, there was a streak of humor in Miss Mannion that he desired to see released. It was an adjunct of a hidden passion she possessed, bubbling just below the surface. Was Mr. Wilmot cognizant of that wellspring? Somehow, Hugh hoped he was not.
Miss Chaumonde clasped him tightly as the carriage drew up before the theater. “I shall have to speak to Monsieur Mannion about this coachman.Mon Dieu,but I swear I shall be black and blue come morning from this wild ride,” she babbled earnestly, looking up at Hugh with soulful dark eyes. “And this last, one would think the man would know how to rein in his team in a less hectic fashion. I would have landed on the floor if it hadn’t been for you, Mr. Talverton.”
“Somehow, I doubt that Miss Chaumonde,” he drawled. “But I thought you were to converse only in English.”
“Bah! English is such a tiresome language.” She paused at Adeline’s and Mr. Danielson’s sudden burst of laughter, furrowing her brow in exasperation, for she detected nothing humorous in her words. She cast them a resentful little look and shrugged her dissatisfaction before turning her attention back to Mr. Talverton.
“But don’t you consider my French lapsescharmante?"she asked prettily.
“Truthfully, Miss Chaumonde, no,” he said, as he descended from the carriage and turned to extend his hand to her.
Momentarily subdued, she meekly accepted his aid. She sighed loudly as they stood to the side awaiting Trevor and Adeline, and for an instant, Hugh regretted his caustic words. Then he felt her hand tuck itself into his arm. He looked down to meet her twinkling eyes.
“I have it now, Monsieur Talverton. You are roasting me most unkindly.” She edged shockingly closer to him as Trevor and Adeline joined them.
A chuckle welled up in his chest. Miss Chaumonde was irrepressible. Trevor shook his head in silent commiseration while Adeline frowned warningly at Paulette.
Ignoring Adeline, Paulette batted her lashes and preened. She was proud of herself for making Mr. Talverton laugh. Soon she would have him eating quite contentedly out of her hand. Giggling at her success, she skipped forward to meet the other Mannion carriage, pulling Mr. Talverton along in her wake.
“These streets, they are horrible, are they not, Vanessa?” Paulette inquired when the other party had descended.
Vanessa was nonplussed but smiling. “I’m sorry, have I missed something?”
Trevor laughed. “Only Miss Chaumonde’s complaints.” The group started toward the theater steps.
“Now it is you who are horrible,” complained Paulette petulantly while clinging to Hugh’s arm.
Trevor professed astonishment and innocence.
“I know I shall be bruised tomorrow, and if I am not, it will be only because Mr. Talverton was kind enough to protect me from being completely tossed about like a child’s ball.”
“Yes,” Adeline said, her soft gray eyes gleaming mischievously in the lantern light. “It was quite amazing how she was jostled about.”
“I can well imagine,” Vanessa said dryly, though she looked at her younger sister intently. There appeared a bloom in her fair cheeks and a rare gaiety in her spirit. It was unlike her quiet sibling to enter into conversation in company, much less to tease. It appeared Mr. Danielson was a fortuitous choice for an escort. Perhaps now that she is comfortable with him, she will learn to be comfortable with other gentlemen.
Mr. Mannion did not let the party dally on the steps but quickly ushered them into the building. Hugh Talverton followed amiably along with the group, though his attention was diverted by the variety of people entering the theater. One aspect that particularly struck him was the preponderance of French spoken.
“Trevor,” he saidsotto voceas the women were divested of their wraps and seated by the box railing, “where are we?”
“What?”
He waved his hand out before him to indicate their sumptuous surroundings and all the elegantly-attired theater patrons. “Is this Paris?”
Trevor softly laughed and sat down in his seat behind Adeline and Paulette. Hugh sat next to him, behind Paulette and Vanessa. He crossed his legs and leaned toward Trevor.
“This mimicry is comical.”
“It’s not mimicry. Most of these people are of French or Spanish antecedents and are fiercely proud of their heritage. They don’t care for us Americans much. The Chaumondes are among the few exceptions.”
The hand Hugh had rested on his knee received a stinging little tap. He turned in surprise to see Vanessa frowning at him and waving her closed fan above his hand, prepared to deliver another tap.
“I beg your pardon?” he said with chilling politeness.
Paulette turned her head to look back at him. “Chut!The play, it is about to begin!”
Vanessa nodded and turned her attention toward the stage.
