“No, not really. He maybe bruised my arms but I’m fine.” She could not meet either of their eyes. Now everyone would know that she had an affair with him. Shame flooded through her replacing the spike of fear.
“What happened?” Mrs. Maddox demanded.
Giorgio’s expression was dark as a thundercloud. “Kinrade attacked her as she was leaving. Julia saw him pull her down the hall by the arm and came to get me and Hamish. I think he has become quite obsessed. I don’t like the way he looks at her when she joins us for dinners.”
Mrs. Maddox nodded. “I have noticed this as well. Don’t worry, he will be dealt with. My husband does not tolerate any aggression against women in his theater. Is there someone we can summon to escort you home? What about Lord Hawksridge?”
“No,” Susanna cried out. Then she took on a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. “I mean no, thank you. I must get back upstairs to my parents’ box. I don’t wish for them to know about this.” Her voice trembled. “I wasn’t supposed to be down here.”
Mrs. Maddox nodded. “Yes, my dear, go back upstairs to where you belong.” She tugged on Giorgio’s arm and his arm slipped from her shoulders.
Susanna turned and fled up one flight of stairs. She emerged into the grand front entrance hall to the theater. She slowed her pace, forcing herself to walk calmly across the thick red pile carpeting to a door she knew led to the back stairway to the upper boxes. Once through, she hiked her skirts and raced up the stairs. At the top, she cracked the door and peeked out into another hallway. This one was brightly lit with a sconce every few feet along papered walls with gold painted moldings. Paintings depicting famous performers in the theater hung in neat rows down the corridor. The hallway was empty as she slipped out of the stairway.
She smoothed her skirts with shaky hands and began walking toward the box her father had rented for the evening. Hopefully, she would reach their seats before her parents. But if she didn’t, she would simply say she had been in the retiring room. Unfortunately, the lady’s retiring room was at the other end of the corridor.
She grimaced as the smell of smoke filled her nostrils. This end of the corridor held the men’s sitting rooms where they could have drinks and smokes during the intermission. Drat. She hoped she wouldn’t see her father. She was definitely not supposed to be down at this end of the hallway.
Susanna picked up her pace. If she could just make it to the top of the main staircase, she would be back on the proper side of the corridor. As she approached an open door, loud male laughter spilled out. Freezing, she listened carefully—that was her father’s voice.
“Time to get back. Lady Dearborn will be looking for me.”
Susanna glanced around desperately. A dark blue curtain hung in front of a small alcove to her left. She darted behind it with a small prayer that the alcove was not occupied. She slid the curtain in front her with asnickof the metal rings along the curtain rod. Then, taking a deep breath to help control her racing heart, she peered through the crack between the curtain and the wall. Her father’s broad back came into view as he walked down the hallway toward their box.
She pulled the curtain back enough to stick her head out and peer down the hallway. Across from her was the open doorway to the room her father had just exited. And right in her line of vision was Hawksridge, deep in conversation with two white-haired older gentlemen. His gaze flicked up and met hers, eyes widening slightly in surprise. Susanna flicked the curtain shut. Drat.
How did she end up in situations like this? Stuart’s behavior downstairs had been appalling but she didn’t think he would actually do her harm. His words echoed in her head,You’re mine, you belong to me. She shut her eyes and leaned back against the wall. He just needed time and space away from her. She shouldn’t have gone downstairs. She shouldn’t have encouraged his flirtations; she shouldn’t have spent the night with him…the list of her mistakes seemed endless.
She felt so adrift. She didn’t even recognize herself anymore. Susanna stared at the wall opposite her, what she needed was some purpose. She would go to find James Marlow this summer. Whatever it took, she would help the two lovers reunite. She was always at her best when she was helping others, and maybe along the way she could find herself again.
Chapter Seven
“Gentlemen, if youwould excuse me.” Miles rose and gave the two men across from him a polite smile.
“Of course. Think on our proposal. It would be good to be allies in this venture.”
Miles nodded.Good for them.He was not convinced being allied with these two codgers would have any benefit to him. It was typical. Nobody could just sit around and have a friendly drink. No there always must be some pitch for political alliances or investing in business ventures.
He exited the room, closing the door behind him, and crossed the hallway to where the brat was hiding. Miles leaned one shoulder against the wall next to the curtain. “Is there a reason you are hiding in an alcove by the gentlemen’s lounge? Do you lead a secret life in espionage? Are you following me around?”
A disgruntled huff came from behind the curtain. “Hardly. But the espionage sounds interesting. How does one get into that line of work I wonder?” The curtain slid back a few inches and a pair of eyes the color of rich honey peered out. “Go away. You’ll cause too much attention standing there talking to the curtain.”
“What in the hell are you doing in there, Susanna?” Was she alone? Or was her bravado hiding a tryst? He yanked the curtain and stepped into the alcove.
Susanna yelped and took a hasty step back. “Hawksridge, there is not enough room in here for you.”
Save for several wooden crates, she was alone in the small space. The alcove obviously being used as a holding area for supplies. He snapped the curtain shut. “Susanna, I repeat my question. What are you doing in here?”
She sighed. “I was returning to my box when I heard my father in the lounge. I slipped in to avoid him. I am meant to be waiting patiently in my seat.”
“But you were wandering around the theater on your own without a chaperone.” He shifted, taking a small step forward. There truly wasn’t enough room for him in here. He let out a frustrated breath. What the hell was he doing sandwiched in a tiny alcove with Susanna Ashby? He should have just ignored her. He looked own at her upturned face, the perfect slope of her nose inches from his Adam’s apple. Her pert breasts rose and fell as she took in a startled breath. He froze. Her proximity was delicious.
No matter what he told himself about the unsuitability of his feelings. This was the reason he hadn’t ignored her. The opportunity to be near her, to feel the zing of arousal that no other woman elicited, was worth the utter frustration of dealing with this woman. Not that he would ever act on the feeling. Susanna was a dangerous creature, and he had no intention of letting his libido or his heart lead him into trouble.
Her nose scrunched. “Your breath smells like alcohol.”
He chuckled. “Yes, well, the result of a very nice brandy consumed with your father.”
“You are far too close, otherwise I would not be able to smell your breath at all. Would you kindly get out of here?”
