"I've enjoyed all of them that I've been to see," he says. "But the comedies are my favourite."
I let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. I'm sorry, I should have considered this better. Veronica just suggested that we do something away from the kitchens, and then I remembered your letters. I should have asked."
Nate reaches over and touches the back of my hand. "It's fine, Evie. I'm looking forward to tonight. But mostly because I enjoy spending time with you."
"Me too. I mean, spending time with you."
He chuckles. "I know what you meant."
The carriage comes to a halt, and I move the curtain back to see the playhouse in front of us. The door opens, and Nate gets down first, offering his hand to me just like he did when we got into the carriage.
I take it, while manoeuvring my dress with my other hand as I climb down from the carriage. There are people chattering all around the entrance, but none of them gives us a second look. I suppose without any of my family here, I'm just a person, and that means I get to enjoy my evening with Nate.
"Shall we?" he asks, offering me his arm.
I slip mine through it and rest my hand on the sleeve of his coat. "Can you believe that I've never been here with only one person before?"
"Yes."
"It's a new experience. Hopefully, no one recognises me. I could put up my hood, but Veronica said that would draw more attention to me." We climb up the stairs
"She does have experience sneaking into the theatre," he says.
"She does?" I look at him, a little surprised to hear he knows what my sister is doing better than I do.
"The servants gossip," he says. "And your sister is known for her paramours."
"I suppose that is true." We get to the top of the steps and enter the ornate theatre. Statues of poets and playwrights adorn the walls, along with masks and other motifs of the art.
A man in a formal suit is directing people to their seats. Without meaning to, I move closer to Nate, not ever having done this part before.
He gives me a reassuring smile and then nods to the man. "Nathaniel Matthews, I have a box."
"Of course, sir, right this way." He gestures for us to follow him without giving me a second look. It's strange not to have him bow to me and address me in the way Mama would consider proper, but it's freeing at the same time. I could certainly get used to it.
The man leads us up the stairs and reaches a door.
I grip tighter onto Nate's arm, resisting the urge to look behind me to find out what my guards are doing. If Veronica has done this before, then there's likely no reason to worry about them, they'll know what to do.
"This is your box," the man says as he opens the door. "If you wish to be brought any refreshments, all you need to do is pull the cord inside."
"Thank you," Nate says. "Are you ready?"
I nod and let him lead me through into a box. There are several chairs placed with a good view of the stage and a rack for us to hang our outerwear on. I pull my arm free of Nate's, regretting the loss of contact more than I expected. He shrugs off his coat and hangs it on one of the pegs, while I undo my cloak. I swing it from around my shoulders and put it on one of the others.
I turn to face Nate to find him staring at me. "What is it?" I ask. "Is my dress wrong?" I smooth down the deep pink fabric.
"No, it's just that I've not seen you like this before."
"You've seen me in formal dresses before."
"Not in a long time," he whispers.
It's only as he says it that I realise it's true. "Fashions have changed a bit."
"I never thought I'd see you wearing anything off the shoulder."
"There's less chance of a collar tickling my neck when that's the case," I respond. "Mama would never let me wear a dress with bare shoulders for a ball, but for a night at the theatre, it's perfectly acceptable."
