He wasn’t an unattractive man, nor, she suspected, a nefarious one, but being the king’s right-hand man had given him an inflated ego. He was also older than her father and someone she could never be attracted to.
You must at least pretend.
“How kind of you to say so, Mr. Valentine. My mother and I are delighted to be here and must thank you again for our wonderful invitation.”
He tugged on her hand, thereby pulling her to his side. He then placed it on his arm, keeping her there. Beth forced a smile onto her lips.
“Shall we take our seats?” Mr. Valentine said, patting her hand.
He took the lead with her, and the others followed. She loathed it. Loathed that everyone was watching them. They were soon all in the royal box.
“If you’ll sit here, my dear Miss Carlow.” He lowered her to a chair.
“It’s so grand,” her mother said from beside her. “I never thought the day would come we’d be seated here. The view is unequalled.”
“I wish we weren’t,” Beth whispered back.
“Be brave, dear. It will be over soon.”
Dear Lord, let it be over soon.
Returning her attention to Mr. Valentine, she set about flirting and behaving in a way that told him she was interested in everything about him.
“Are you quite well, Miss Carlow?” Mr. Valentine said. “Your voice—”
“It is the excitement, you understand, Mr. Valentine. I have never been seated in such a glamorous location for the theatre,” Beth said quickly. “And in such distinguished company.”
He smiled. “Of course, I understand.” He leaned in. “I am so pleased to have you at my side, and long for us to be alone together soon.”
Stay calm; this is what you want.
“Oh yes, I would love that above all things,” Beth managed to get out.
“Excellent. Now if you will excuse me, I must not neglect my other guests any longer, even if I would rather simply sit here and talk with the most beautiful among us.”
She didn’t gag, but it was a near thing. Seeking anything to focus on, Beth searched the other boxes and found the Earl of Raine’s. His family was all there, including Nathan and the woman he’d arrived with. The brothers were there of course, and Miss Saint-Bonnard, but there was another dark-haired man. She couldn’t make out all his features from here, but thought he looked similar to the Deville brothers. The woman was standing beside Nathan still, chatting.
How can I hate a woman I do not know?
He moved slightly, and his eyes searched the theatre as hers had, found hers briefly, and then he turned away.
She may deserve his anger, but there was still a small voice inside her head that thought if he loved her, surely he should have questioned why she’d done what she had.
“Excellent, it is about to start. Now I can simply sit at your side and enjoy the performance,” Mr. Valentine said, taking the seat to her right.
Beth smiled at him, and it was then she saw the edge of something blue in his hand.
Surely not?
“I have heard you write poetry, Mr. Valentine. Are you inspired to do so now?” Beth nodded down at the book.
“No indeed, this is of far more importance than my poetry, Miss Carlow. This is, simply put, my life.” Opening his jacket, he tucked the blue book inside a pocket.
“Your life is written in that book?”
He chuckled, then patted her hand as if she were a silly brainless young girl.
“I am the king’s confidant. It is a position of great responsibility. I am the keeper of many important pieces of information, my dear.”
