Her friend? Is that what they were?He supposed she was correct. They enjoyed a temporary friendship secured by Prinny until Aberavon arrived to claim her, or James left.
At last, Dodd’s attention took him in. “You were there at the beach, too, weren’t you?”
James rolled his eyes. The man very well knew he’d been there. What’s more, he could tell Dodd was sizing him up as a rival. Letting him think James was interested in her might provide Miss Talbot with a measure of safety from other bucks. On the other hand, when her fiancé turned up and people assumed she had been free with her favors, her reputation might suffer. Thus, he decided to warn the man off.
“In the absence of Miss Talbot’sfiancé, I am happy to provide her with my protection, be it at the beach or here at the theatre.”
Dodd blinked, taking in James’s meaning.
“I see. How magnanimous of you to look after another man’s lady,” Dodd said.
“Lord Hargrove has been most helpful,” Miss Talbot agreed, making James feel like a spinster chaperone.
“Where is the fortunate fiancé?” Dodd asked, and James wished he would take himself off somewhere, like into a deep well. He’d been enjoying his private time with her more than he cared to admit.
“Lord Aberavon shall reach Brighton sometime soon, I am sure,” she said, sounding unconcerned. “Are you enjoying the performance?”
“Very much so. And you?”
“It is delightful,” she said enthusiastically. “Are you here alone? Where are you seated?”
To James’s horror, when Miss Talbot found out Lord Dodd was by himself, she invited him to join them for the remainder of the play.
“After all, there are empty seats in our box. I don’t think anyone would mind if you switched your location.”
James most certainly minded!After the past couple of days, he had thought she held him in a higher regard than merely any old nob. Yet it seemed she didn’t mind the company of mangy, too-smooth Dodd.
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Talbot,” Dodd said, as James knew he would. The theatre manager rang a bell, and people began to shuffle back into the auditorium.
To James’s surprise, the interloper offered her his arm.
To his greater surprise, she took it.
“Let’s go,” she said, looking absolutely cheerful, even when Dodd shot James a vexing grin over his shoulder.
Suddenly, James wished theywereseeingHamlet. Then when the lights went down, if he timed it correctly, when he strangled Dodd no one would hear his cries blended with those of the actors.Pity!
***
GLYNNIS COULDN’T BELIEVEher good fortune. First, she was escorted by Hargrove, making for a tingly and pleasant evening, and then Lord Dodd, a potential suitor, joined them.
Moreover, his presence seemed to bother Hargrove, making her wonder if that avenue to marriage was still open to her. Brighton was suddenly treating her well.
The remaining two acts were as good as the first, and she hadn’t laughed so much in a long time. Terror over one’s future tended to make one less inclined to frivolity and laughter. And having a handsome man on either side of her only increased her pleasure.
“Gentlemen, that was wonderful,” she said, rising to her feet after the actors last bow and the applause was dying out. “I wish it hadn’t ended so soon.”
“The evening doesn’t have to come to an end,” Lord Dodd said. “There must be some place we can go.”
“I wish you’d go to...”
Glynnis was certain Hargrove was muttering something rude.
“Lord Hargrove and I were going to take a late supper.”
“Where could you possibly go?” Lord Dodd asked, looking perplexed. “With the fairer sex involved, options are limited to the hotel dining rooms or the public houses. None of the other restaurants will allow you entrance.”
Glynnis looked at Hargrove.What was his intent?
