She selected a simple diamond heart necklace and diamond studs for her ears. Instead of a tiara, she chose diamond star clips for her hair.
“Your choices are rather understated tonight,” Harriet remarked.
Berry shrugged. “I know, but I am not of a mind to be dripping in glitter this evening.”
“Well, you look beautiful as always.”
Berry heard voices in the entry hall, so she grabbed her lemon silk wrap and hurried downstairs to greet Lord Berwick, her father’s best friend who had been appointed trustee of the fund established for her under her father’s testament. The dear man had been like a father to her these past twenty years.
“Berry,” he said with a beaming smile as she walked forward to greet him, “don’t you look lovely. Come along, my dear. Lady Berwick awaits us in the carriage.”
They arrived at the Covent Garden theater and settled in the Berwicks’ box shortly before the curtain went up.
She and Lady Berwick enjoyed looking at all the ladies and commenting on what they were wearing. They often made a game of it, tossing snide remarks at times, although arroganceand pettiness were not really in their nature. But what was the point of a night out at the theater if one could not people watch and opine on the garish tastes of others?
Lady Winslow, for example, and that ostrich feather she wore on her head.
“I think she put the entire ostrich on herself,” Lady Berwick remarked. “It is in danger of laying an egg.”
Berry laughed. “Oh, she is looking back at us, and now leaning over to whisper to her friend, Lady Gorse. I’m sure they are remarking on my gown, declaring I look like a canary, for I am all in yellow.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Lady Berwick said, always one to come to her defense. “It is the lightest shade of yellow and quite elegant. Perfectly suits your complexion. You look quite lovely tonight. Lady Gorse is overdone, as usual. Rings on every finger and bracelets running up her arm. I’m surprised she can lift her arms.”
“Lady Mosby is going to blind someone with all those diamonds she is wearing,” Berry said, taking her turn. “They’ll need to toss a blanket over her once the play starts to keep her from distracting the actors.”
Lady Berwick laughed. “I fear they will think the same of me. I am too done up.”
“No,” Berry insisted. “You are perfect, as always. I am the one who is subdued and felt like dressing myself down this evening.”
“Why, my dear?”
She let out a breath. “I don’t know. I have been feeling out of sorts lately. Mrs. Garland has not been well.”
“Yes, I know,” Lady Berwick said with sincere concern.
“And here I am enjoying a pleasant night out. But it isn’t only Mrs. Garland that has me sad. It is all this.” Berry waved her hand across the theater. “Here we all are in our diamonds and sapphires while others are struggling to fill their bellies.”
“Oh, my dear.” Lady Berwick patted her hand. “You do more than your share to help those in need. You cannot take on all the burden of it.”
Berry did her best to shrug off her malaise because she did not want to ruin Lady Berwick’s evening out.
Perhaps it was that kiss she’d received today. She was still tingling over it.
“Oh heavens. Oh my,” Lady Berwick said, suddenly grabbing Berry’s arm. “Will you look at those beautiful ladies? Have you ever seen two more stunning creatures?”
“Where?” Berry followed the direction of Lady Berwick’s gaze to a box on the opposite side of the theater where a tall, slender blonde and an equally tall and slender brunette, both of them dressed in the height of fashion, were now taking their seats.
She gasped.
It was not the ladies she was staring at but the man now taking a seat beside them.
Gideon.Mr. Knight’s construction man.
“How on earth?”
“What is it, my dear?”
No, it simply was not possible. She had to be mistaken.
