“Are we not all acting tonight? Perhaps you shouldn’t look so grim.” Merely being close to him sent a tingle along her skin.
“We’re not at the theater yet, but I shall remain grim. It is my appointed role to be vengeful.”
“I’m not allowed to be angry?”
“Please, scowl along at my side.”
That brought a laugh. “So tempting, but then people will think us together under duress and come to all sorts of conclusions.” He was showing no particular sensitivity to her presence, so pride kept Ariana cool. “InsteadI shall be bored by the whole thing, which in part is true. Have you discovered anything from Inching?”
“He’s turned tail and run. I was tempted to pursue him up the Great North Road, but I’m needed here. For now.”
Sir Norman Ffoulks arrived along with Reverend Corby, a dean of Westminster Abbey. Big guns indeed! Corby was to partner Ariana’s mother, while Lady Cawle enjoyed the company of her favorite attendant.
Lady Cawle joined them and they all went to dine. Conversation flowed, but no observer would have imagined them at ease. It was a relief to leave for the theater and get the ordeal over with. Ariana reminded herself of the many times she’d seen lovers try to conceal their feelings, but give themselves away with every look and word. She’d not make that mistake, but that added an extra layer of performance to the evening.
Tonight they were to visit the Drury Lane theater. When Ariana stepped into Lady Cawle’s box and went to a seat at the front, a sea of faces turned toward her. If this was how it felt to be onstage, she’d never be an actor. She maintained a calm smile, and turned at the last moment to make a casual comment to Kynaston. He responded, but kept his grim face on.
She prayed Churston wasn’t here or she might let her feelings show. If Kynaston noticed—disaster! She realized she was probably looking grim now and put on a slight, relaxed smile. Acting was a great deal more difficult than she’d thought.
Once the curtain rose, she focused on the play. It was a comic opera calledThe Haunted Tower, with exactly the sort of twisted plot that was diverting. The play was set in France, where the Baron of Oakland, anEnglishman, was a false usurper and the true baron was in disguise as a French peasant, but in love with a grand French lady who was pledged to marry the Baron of Oakland, but in love with the true one without knowing who he was. To escape, she was impersonating her maid, who was in love with a plowman....
When the curtain fell for the first intermission, Ariana could naturally turn to Kynaston to say, “My head is aching with the attempt to follow that.”
“I suggest you don’t try. It doesn’t bear close inspection.”
“But it’s relaxed you,” she said, “and it’s very well performed. I particularly enjoy the maid, Cicely.”
“A lovely singing voice and spirited charm.”
Was he attracted to her?
Oh, no. Not that fatal trap for the besotted—irrational jealousy.
Fortunately Dean Corby joined in the conversation then. “The play’s translated from the French, Lady Ariana, and was originally set before the Revolution there. That gives the conflict between the peasants and the baron a different reading.”
“It would, Dean. Did he end up under the guillotine in that version?”
“I believe so. And of course the English were all villains and the French the heroes.”
“Whereas in this one, that’s reversed.”
Despite the scandal, Lady Cawle’s power held, and the usual number of people came to visit her box. The visitors must also talk to her guests, including Ariana and Kynaston. If eyes were sometimes sharply curious, no one mentioned the scandal. Until one lady—a Mrs. Overstall—said archly to Ariana, “It would seem we can expect an interesting announcement, Lady Ariana.”
“Can we?” Ariana asked, sincerely confused. But then she wondered with alarm if the woman thought she was with child.
“You and Kynaston,” the lady said with a chuckle. Ariana was grateful that Kynaston had left her side to speak to a one-armed gentleman, a Major Beaumont.
“Such a fine couple you make,” Mrs. Overstall said. “And after all that’s happened...”
“Happened?” Ariana queried. “I hardly know Kynaston, ma’am. Oh, you refer to that ridiculous bit of gossip! Lady Cawle suggested that we appear together tonight to put it to rest.”
“Oh, I see. Probably wise, but such a shame.”
The lady left, but Ariana felt the power of her words. It was a shame that she and Kynaston couldn’t make a match of it.
“Has Lizzie Overstall upset you?”
Ariana turned to Major Beaumont. On introduction, she’d noted by instinct that he was tall and seemed intelligent and decent. His war injury wouldn’t deter her at all. What a terrible husband hunter she’d become.
