“Thank you, Your Grace.” The words were a mere whisper, and I barely heard them over the ever-increasing din of the theater patrons. Everyone attending was there to see and be seen. Cameron was no exception. He waved at a passing gentleman and stood near the rail to speak to the newcomer.
My mother looked from me to Lady Lillian, and unease triggered frown lines between her eyes. Lady Lillian’s shyness was painful to behold. With a gentle smile, my mother said, “Lady Vivian, would you and your daughter like to join us?”
“Oh, my dearest Lady Helen, what a kind offer, but my son and daughter-in-law are in our box waiting for us to join them. I just wanted to stop by and tell you we reached our fundraising goal. We can thank Alton for his generosity.” Lady Vivian beamed at me.
I tried not to flinch at the use of my title. In my mind, Alton was my father. “The foundling house will benefit from your hard work,” I said.
Colt had made a sizable donation on my behalf.
“Alton is all that is good,” Miss Cameron said, speaking up for the first time. She gazed adoringly up at me, and my unease grew. It was hard enough to contemplate courting such a young woman, but having her fall in love with me was beyond the pale. When I got married, it wouldn’t be a love match. A marriage based on mutual respect and admiration sounded just the thing for me. I would have that with Lady Lillian.
“Yes, very kind,” Lady Lillian said, lifting her head and meeting my gaze. She offered a strained smile, a flush enhancing the apple of her cheeks.
Despite our rough beginning, we had developed a truce since she had been using my library. Another mark in her favor. Coupled with the fact that she not only encouraged me to take a male lover but wished to take part, it was an added boon.
A warning bell rang, signaling for people to take their seats.
“I believe the curtain is about to go up.” Miss Cameron placed her hand on my arm and gave Lady Lillian a tight smile bordering on a sneer. “I suggest you run along and find your box.”
I stiffened at her rude manner. The color drained from Lady Lillian’s face, and her expression fell. She seemed to draw into herself. My hands curled into fists. I wanted to scold Miss Cameron and comfort Lady Lillian simultaneously. Once again, her fragility was on display, and it pricked my temper to see her bullied. “Lady Lillian is my friend, and she is welcome to stay as long as she wishes.”
Miss Cameron's pinched mouth spoke of her displeasure over my rebuke. I didn’t care.
“Oh dear, we’d best hurry. I’m sure we will see you all at intermission,” Lady Vivian said, slipping her arm through her daughter’s and leading her from the box.
My mother seated herself in the second row. Cameron said goodbye to his friend, and with a sly smile in my direction, he took the seat next to my mother. They left me to sit beside Miss Cameron in the front row.
After a tense moment, she adjusted the skirts of her modest white gown over her knees. She laid a hand on my sleeve, chin lifted before she withdrew it. Miss Cameron might look innocent, but a calculating gleam lit her eyes. “I wanted to thank you for your kind invitation tonight. All of my friendsare envious of my good fortune to attend the theater with the handsome Duke of Alton and his benevolent mother.”
I disliked toadies with a passion, and it required all of my skills at subterfuge to remain civil. Arms crossed, I leaned back in my chair. Best to focus on the mundane and keep a cool head. “I enjoy the theater. Tonight’s production of Hamlet is said to be outstanding.” Gavin played the part exceptionally well.
“I will defer to your opinion on such matters.” She brought out her fan and waved it before her face. “If you say it is exceptional, then it must be.”
The last thing I wanted was a wife with no curiosity or thoughts of her own. “Why don’t you wait until after you see the play before you offer an opinion?”
“My father says that as a woman, my opinion is secondary to my future husband’s. He says my place is to make him happy, see to his every need, and keep his household under a stern thumb.” She moved the fan faster, the breeze ruffling her hair. “I can assure you, none of the staff will steal under my watch.”
The lights faded, and the music swelled, cutting off the conversation. I was grateful for it. Beneath Miss Cameron’s innocent façade lay the heart of a lady bent on cruelty to those less fortunate. If I had a single hope about a potential union with her, it was dashed. Her behavior toward Lady Lillian was unacceptable. No matter how many roads I went down, they all seemed to lead to one lady.
Lady Lillian Tapper.
Chapter Eleven
Lady Lillian Tapper
