Lexie could hardly containher excitement as she walked through the front doors of the Theatre Royale at Drury Lane that evening. It had long been her desire to attend a London play and the fact thatThe Tempestby Shakespeare would be performed made her anticipate the evening that much more.
The only downfall was that she was attended by her Aunt Bonnie and the Earl of Lindley. Just once, she would like to go somewhere without either her aunt or a maid acting as a constant chaperone. It gave ladies little chance to get into trouble or flirt properly when they were constantly being supervised, but she supposed that was the point. Her aunt would surely make her wear a chastity belt otherwise, regardless if the practice of protecting one’s virginity for modesty reasons had gone out of fashion some years prior.
Making their way to the private box the earl had secured for their use, Lexie was about to walk through the private curtain when a flash of movement at the edge of her vision caught her attention. The towering figure could not be mistaken. As her suspicions became correct when the duke turned his head andpinned her with an intense stare and then disappeared down the hall opposite, she found she could not ignore the summons.
“If you would excuse me,” Lexie said to her escort. “I think I should like to visit the retiring room before the performance begins.”
Without waiting for her aunt to say that she would join her, Lexie hastily made her way out of the box and toward the hallway where she had last seen the duke. Her heart was pounding in time to her footsteps as she turned a corner and expected to see him standing there, ready to pull her into his arms for another devastating kiss, but of course, that was not what happened. The hallway was nearly deserted, other than a few patrons who had not yet taken their seats to watch the show.
Disheartened, she wondered if she had mistaken the silent signal the duke had offered to her. However, she noticed the sight of his dark cloak whipping near the edge of the stage entrance.
Glancing behind her, Lexie warily moved forward, grateful that there was a barrier to keep her from being seen heading down to the lower level of the theatre. Her hand was shaking as she lifted it to hold on to the wood to peer behind the stage. Suddenly, her waist was grabbed from behind as a hand moved to clasp over her mouth.
“Don’t scream,” came the husky command.
She nodded, and he jerked her into a secret alcove beneath the stairs that led backstage. It took Lexie a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. She blinked a few times, striving to get the duke’s face into better focus, but it was still a menacing shadow, the hard lines of his face looking more pronounced than before. But as he removed his hand from her mouth, she thrilled when the one about her waist remained.
She wondered if he would kiss her now, and lifted her chin slightly in the hope that he would understand her invitation. “How do you always know where I’m going to be?”
His dark eyes glittered for a moment, but then he spoke andhis tone was far from seductive. “I need to speak with you about an urgent matter.”
That was a bit disappointing, and she had the impression that what he was going to say wasn’t something she would care to hear. “What is it?”
The hand on her waist moved to encompass her upper arm. His other hand gripped the opposite side. “There could be danger to your reputation.” He paused, as if waiting for a shocked gasp. When she did nothing, he continued, “Someone has discovered us and has threatened to reveal us.”
Lexie waited for more, but when he fell silent, she asked, “Is that all?”
He frowned. “Isn’t that enough?”
Her lips twisted. “If I cared that much for my reputation, do you think I would have allowed your attentions in the first place?” He seemed to consider that, so she moved a bit closer to him. “The truth is, Your Grace, that I don’t care one whit about scandal. I actually encourage it if it will get me what I want.”
She could tell that her bold words had surprised him. “Every woman has a care for their reputation. It is the one thing that will secure them a prominent match.”
She shrugged. “I’m not most women. I don’t care about marriage, but I do want to enjoy all the pleasures that life has to offer.”
He stared at her. “How does one so innocent know of such things? Or is it too much to presume that youarean innocent?”
“To that end, I am, but I don’t intend to return to my boring life in the country without experiencing passion and all those things I’ve heard whispered about in the servants’ quarters when no one thought I was around.” She closed her eyes momentarily. “When I heard the maids talk, I felt… something burst to life inside of me. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.” She glanced back at the duke and found him looking at her oddly now. “I do apologize for speaking so boldly. But while every other lady in society prefers to remain proper and perfectly staid, I am not afraid to speak plainly.”
He shook his head slowly. “You are unlike anyone I have ever met. The most practiced courtesans aren’t as bold with their words as you are.”
“Does that turn your head aside?” she asked softly.
“On the contrary,” he returned with a whisper. His hand lifted and he slid it along her smooth cheek. “I am held quite fascinated. It has kept me from trying to find this villain that dares to threaten me. Instead, I am continuously drawn to where you might be.”
“Are you?” Lexie could not believe her good fortune. To hear that her desires might be reciprocated by this man was infinitely more pleasing than the finest gowns or jewels that she might acquire.
“Yes.”
Her breath left her lungs in a rush at his freely given response. “Then perhaps we should make a plan to meet in a more… quiet setting.”
At that moment, the opening instruments began to ring out, as well as the muffled voices of the actors and actresses who had taken their place on stage. Although it had promised to be one of Lexie’s favorite performances, she was willing to forgo one dream for the passions of another.
His focus dropped to her parted lips. “Indeed.” When Lexie thought he was going to kiss her, he stepped back and released his hold. “But not yet.”
Disappointment shot through her, but she tamped it down and focused on the promised interlude to come. Patience had never been her strong suit, but she felt the duke would be worth the wait. The way her body responded to him with a simple caress told her that it would be aflame with more.
“Do you have so many enemies that you must walk with such caution?”
