“I have grown used to it,” Trem said, easily, that smile the world loved returning, and employing a voice that, Leith was sure, had never met rebuff.“Come, Leith, brother, do not quarrel with my wife.You know you never win.”
Yes, Leith thought, these days getting any of his friends to side with him, especially when their wives were on the other end of the disagreement, was nigh impossible.
When Trem had angered John to the point that the men came to fisticuffs,Leithhad been the one to help him.And what gratitude was he shown in return now?None, it seemed.
Leith once more looked at Beatrice.Her expression remained as placid as it had in the drawing room at Carrington Place yesterday morning.Although now she looked more amused than she had then.
“Good evening, Trem, Lady Trem,” his mother said, moving on Gresham’s arm to exit his box.“It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Salisbury.And, Thomas, if you aren’t going to be reasonable, stay at St.James’s, won’t you?I don’t want to see that glower haunting my drawing room.”
She swept out and Leith stifled the impulse to kick the chair in front of him.
“Your mother is acting differently,” Trem said, with a laugh.“I am Trem, by the way.”He was addressing Beatrice.“I understand you are a relation of Monty’s.”
“Oh, yes,” Beatrice said, haltingly.“Very distantly.”
“We are very pleased to meet you,” Henrietta said.“I don’t think we’ve met a paramour of Leith’s since…when was it Trem, do you think?Would we count Mrs.Matthews as a meeting?”
Leith could throttle Henrietta.Mrs.Matthews had been his mistress six months ago.He had chanced to see Henrietta and Trem coming out of the park with her.Leith had barely stopped to greet them.
“I would not say so, my love,” Trem said, his eyes sparkling.
“I am honored, in that case,” Beatrice said.
“The show will be starting again soon,” Leith grumbled.
“Ah, well, that doesn’t concern us, does it?”Trem said, staring into his wife’s eyes.“No, no, we were just going home ourselves.We think we will find…better diversions there.”
Leith cast a gaze up to the heavens, wondering what sin he had committed to be thus punished.He seemed condemned to witness the love-struck ardor of every living being around himself.
A moment of silence filled the box as Trem and Henrietta gazed at one another.They were standing so close—well, it was indecent.And they had a child!
They had been married for over a year and yet they still were as they had been during their notorious engagement.Disgustingly engrossed with one another.Heedless of common decency.So in love that anyone could see it.No, worse.That in looking at them, one couldfeelwhat being in love was supposed to be like.
It was one of the many reasons Leith knew he had never experienced that emotion.
“Very well,” Leith said, praying that his friends received the hint that he was very much giving.“Good evening.”
“Farewell,” Trem said, a look of rakish gloating dancing across his features.“Enjoy the second act.”
Finally, he was alone again with Miss Salisbury.He never thought he would feel relieved to find himself with only her, but he found that was, indeed, how he felt.
Their eyes met.A little smile twitched on her face.That gap between her front teeth was briefly visible.
“Don’t,” he said.
Chapter Ten
Lord Leith wasa strange man.
If that hadn’t been clear before, it was clear now.
He had been outright rude to his mother, her fiancé, and his two friends.
“I think I now understand your sour mood,” she said, as the strains of the music picked up again.
“Don’t,” he repeated.
“I don’t blame you for being upset,” she said, experiencing actual sympathy for his distress.“If my mother remarried, I’d be overset.Especially since her choice the first time was so dreadful.I could never trust her in such a matter.”
