Lost in his realization of how much he admired Adelia, Owen all but missed Miss Spencer’s first words.
“I did not think you cared for the ballet, my lord. You never wanted to bring me to one. Lord Whitely was perfectly happy to escort me.”
Miss Spencer gestured to her side where she expected Whitely to be. For his part, after shaking hands with Owen, Whitely skirted around the back of Miss Spencer’s bustle and bowed deeply to Adelia, restoring civility to the situation.
“How are you faring, my lady?” George asked.
Owen was certain he saw Adelia sigh with resignation. Unhurriedly, she turned to Whitely, and Owen ignored the insipid Miss Spencer to focus on whether Adelia would respond.
After a hesitation that was slightly longer than normal, causing Whitely’s gaze to flash to Owen’s in alarm, Adelia finally dipped ever so slightly in greeting and simply nodded.
Owen hoped his friend would accept that to mean she fared well and leave her alone. However, George asked, “Are you a ballet devotee?”
Adelia paled, her fear plain upon her face. Owen wanted to strike him down for causing her even a twinkling of consternation. He watched her draw a long, steadying breath.
“I love it,” she said slowly, annunciating each word.
Owen was silently cheering her on, knowing—without understanding why—that interacting was difficult for her, almost painful, it seemed. He saw the instant she nearly turned to the wall again but stopped herself.
Bravo!
Miss Spencer’s face twisted into a superior smirk, perhaps because talking was a skill at which she excelled.
Owen glanced between the two women. “Lady Adelia, may I introduce you to Miss…uh…Caroline, isn’t it?” he asked with an exaggerated frown, feigning a memory lapse as to her identity.
Before he could stop himself, Whitely chuckled at the veiled insult, which probably cost him any chance of partaking in a tryst against the young woman’s favorite brick wall.
Miss Spencer reddened, finally sparing a curtsey for Adelia–not quite deep enough for Owen’s liking.
Adelia bobbed her head in return.
“I don’t mind the ballet,” George said. “The ladies on stage have pretty figures, to be sure.”
By her frown, Miss Spencer didn’t care for that remark, either.
Adelia appeared to consider his statement, shallow as it was. In response, she said, “The dancers seem to…to embody the music and p…p…perfectly interpret it at the same time.”
Owen realized his mouth had opened slightly as she spoke.The dancers literally embodied the music—he’d never thought of it that way. When he glanced at his friend, who’d been firmly of the opinion Adelia contributed nothing, he saw Whitely nodding in agreement.
“I understand what you mean,” Owen said. “While the ballet isnotmy favorite entertainment, I can appreciate the skill of the dancers representing the orchestra’s notes as if telling a story. Without the music, the ballet would be infinitely diminished and vice versa.”
Adelia nodded her head. Then, to his surprise, she added, “Indeed. The…the blend of the graceful dancers with the skill of the musicians is s…sublime.”
Miss Spencer looked as if she were about to launch into her own opinion of the ballet. Luckily, the gas lamps dimmed, and with a quick exchange of goodbyes, they parted.
“I am so very glad you are enjoying yourself,” Owen said, taking her arm.
Without hesitation or stuttering, she replied, “And I am sorry to learn you do not truly like the ballet.”
“That is not actually the case,” he said. “I did not take Miss Spencer to the ballet because of Miss Spencer, not the ballet.”
He was glad to elicit a smile from Adelia, despite how she fell silent again and said little else for the rest of the night.
Surprising himself, Owen thought the performance came to an end too soon. Lady Adelia’s company had been as entertaining as anything on stage. After securing her mantle from the coat check, they strolled toward his carriage, which had drawn up out front. Behind them was her vigilant maid.
After helping Lady Adelia inside, he turned to the girl, and as he’d been planning, he placed a coin in her hand.
“Will you sit up top?” he asked.
