He cleared his throat.
“I mean to marry the woman I love — if she will have me — and any opinion which arrogantly or ignorantly pits itself against our happiness, will be regarded as mere fecal matter.”
Several people gasped, and one young lady in the back whispered, “What isfecal matter?”
Her companion shushed her as Mr Alwyn went on.
“And now…”
As if in a dream, Lindy watched him turn towards the Hartleys’ opera box, and get down on one knee.
In a more tender voice, he said, “Miss Belinda Everson, in the presence of all of these witnesses, I will say that you have captured my heart completely. And I will humbly ask for the second time this evening — will you please make me the happiest man in all the world and say you will marry me?”
There was the subtle rustling of the audience turning in their seats to look to where the young lover had directed his address. Then the theatre fell utterly silent.
“Miss Everson?” Mr Alwyn shielded his eyes against the lights.
“She is not here, my lord!” Mrs Hartley called down, her gold-garbed arms flashing as she gestured widely to her box. “She ran off just before you began your pretty speech!”
Snickering rippled through the house, and Belinda saw Mr Alwyn’s shoulders sag.
I must…this is my chance…
“I am here!” she cried, though it sounded like a peeping chick to her own ears. All heads nearby, swiveled her way.
“Where? Where are you?” someone far off hollered.
Still holding onto the doorway, Belinda lifted her hand and fluttered it faintly.
“Well, step forward so everyone can see you!” chided a woman who then muttered to those around her, “This is less practiced than the juggling and acrobatics were.”
Lindy stepped into the aisle, her pulse pounding furiously in her ears.
Mr Alwyn stood and moved to the very edge of the stage, squinting in her direction.
Taking bolder steps, she drew nearer until she saw that his eyes had settled on her, and felt warmed by their familiar caress.
“I am here,” she said, steadily this time.
“Up, ma’am?” asked a quiet, gruff voice right at her ear.
It was the brawny fellow who had posted himself at the foot of the stage moments earlier. He looked a bit teary-eyed. At her nod, he led her by the hand and helped her up a little set of stairs.
With her heart in her throat, Lindy walked to the middle of the stage where Mr Alwyn was kneeling down again.
Looking up at her, his eyes were aflame with all that Belinda had ever longed and hoped to see within them. He took her hand, then turned it over with delicate deliberation, and dipped his head to lightly kiss her wrist.
The entire Adelphi breathed a sigh, and the two regarded one another intently, intimately, for a long moment.
Everyone present looked to him. Then to her. Back again, until shouts arose from every corner.
“Have you forgotten your lines?”
“Speak up, m’lady!”
“Go on and give an answer!”
Quelling them all with a lift of her hand, Belinda opened her mouth to speak.
