“Is there something wrong?” she asked.
“Wrong?”
“Yes, you seem distracted. Are you ill?”
He turned towards her then and regarded her. “Do I look ill? Not that illness has anything to do with being distracted—which I am not.”
Lisbeth raised a brow. “It is only that you have not smiled once since we got here. Nor have you even attempted to tease me.” She sipped her champagne and watched him.
“It is also very unlike you to be concerned about my welfare. That you even noticed is very flattering, I suppose.”
He saw her wince, for she knew he was right.
“The truth is that there are many people here tonight who do not like you. I am being cautious.”
“Cautious. I see. Is itverypainful?”
A smile cracked at the side of his mouth. “More than you will ever know,” he said. “Which side did your grandmother say her box was?”
“The eastern side. What are you looking for?” she whispered in his ear.
He wished she hadn’t done that, as much as he wished she would do it again. “Suspicious persons.”
She looked around the assembled crowd. “Oh, and what do suspicious persons look like?”
He looked around too. “Shifty, among other things.”
“Shifty? Like your friend, Dalmere?”
He looked at her surprised. “You think Dalmere looks shifty?” He laughed.
“Actually, I think he is too handsome for his own good. However, he gives me a peculiar feeling. I know he does not like me but nor does anyone else. Have you known him long?”
Oliver was stunned by her confession. “I met him a few days before I met you. He was my brother’s friend. He befriended me when I felt I didn’t have or deserve a friend.”
“Well, I for one, am glad he did, otherwise you would not be here looking out for suspicious persons on my behalf.”
They started to ascend the stairs. “One would think that you are saying you forgive me for the other night, when I took your schedule, and may actually be starting to like me. Considering all that concern and gladness you are currently feeling towards me.”
“One would be thinking wrongly then.”
Her tone was suitably cool, but he saw her lips twitch. Oliver smiled, pulled the curtain to the box aside, and bowed her through. “I do believe you have developed a sense of humor, Lady Blackhurst.”
Lisbeth passed through and smiled to herself. Suspicious persons aside, she felt safe with Oliver around, and she was grateful for his presence. Bellamy may have distracted her for a while but sitting here in the box brought back the reason for this visit to the opera. She closed her eyes for a moment and prayed that Marie would have matured enough to hear her out.
She heard them before they entered. Marie’s voice rang sweet with excitement and Lisbeth could only hope it was becauseof her. When they were behind the curtain, she could clearly discern their words.
“And Mrs. Merryweather said that I sang like an angel with a face to match. Martin was so proud, and he bought me this gown and said that I may have whatever trimmings I pleased and—”
The curtain was pulled aside, and Bellamy rose to face the women. Lisbeth found herself shaking but could not stand.
“Oh, hello,” her sister said when she saw Bellamy.
Lady Fortesque made the introductions. “Marie, this is the Earl of Bellamy. Lord Bellamy, my granddaughter, Lady Fenwick.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Fenwick,” Oliver said as he bowed. Marie smiled and did a small curtsey but it was obvious she was a little shocked at his presence.
Lady Fortesque then took control of the situation and bustled Lady Fenwick farther into the box. Lisbeth stood and turned towards them.
