My heart sank as Flossy followed her brother out of the box, knowing full well why he wanted to leave me in Jonathon’s presence. Even my aunt and uncle left after seeing Jonathon put out his arm for me. My uncle looked pleased.
I took Jonathon’s arm and allowed him to escort me out of the box and down the stairs. We joined the audience exodus heading for the foyer. I’d completely lost my family.
Jonathon noticed me craning my neck. “Don’t worry, we’ll find them.” He patted my hand, resting on his arm. “And if not, I’ll walk you back to the hotel. It’s not far.”
“What about your family? Didn’t you come with them?”
“I did, but I’ll let you in on a secret.” He bent his head to mine. “I’m old enough to find my own way home.”
“Very amusing.”
“In fact, I’m even old enough to escort young ladies home.”
“People will talk.”
His eyes gleamed with humor. “Let them.”
I didn’t like the warmth in his voice. It was much too familiar, too hopeful. Our path joined with those coming out of the auditorium from the ground floor stalls. I searched the sea of heads, hoping to spot my family or even Lady Rumford.
“The layout of this theater is appalling,” Jonathon said as we shuffled forward. “Do you have a ticket for your coat?”
I handed him my cloakroom ticket and he left me standing near the refreshment counter with a cluster of other ladies, also waiting. I stood on my toes but could not see my family. I resigned myself to a walk home with Jonathon; I was going to have a word with Flossy in the morning about not abandoning me in future when Jonathon was circling.
A familiar figure in the midst suddenly looked up and scanned the faces of the crowd. Mr. Armitage was so tall that he soon spotted me. He nodded in greeting and bobbed hishead to speak to someone at his side. A moment later, he headed my way.
“Good evening, Miss Fox. Did you enjoy the show?”
“Yes, thank you. We had a good view of the stage.”
“I know. I saw you up in the box like the royal family.”
I laughed. “The tickets were free. Someone must have pulled out at the last moment and I was at the theater at the right time.”
Mr. Armitage’s parents appeared out of the crowd but remained a little distance away. I nodded and smiled at them both, and I received a smile from Detective Inspector Hobart in return and a curt nod from his wife. She still hadn’t forgiven me for costing her son his job at the hotel.
“How nice of you to come with your parents,” I said.
“It was my Christmas gift to them.” Mr. Armitage stretched his neck to get a better view of the crowd. “Are you looking for the Bainbridges? Because they just left.”
I sighed. “Tell your father there’s going to be another homicide.”
“What?”
“I’m going to kill Flossy when I see her.”
He laughed softly. “I hadn’t pegged you as being so dramatic.” He thought about it then shrugged. “Actually, I take that back. The way you stormed out of my office this morning was a performance fit for the Playhouse.”
I tilted my chin up at him. “I did not storm out. You were making fun of me so I thought it best to leave before our friendship crumbled any further.”
“I wasn’t making fun of you.” His low, melodic voice held no hint of humor. It rumbled like the sound of distant drums, vibrating through me. “And our friendship is alive and well—if you want it to be.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but it died on my lips. I didn’t want to utter a trivial quip. I wanted him to gaze at me like that all night. Like there was no one else in the room.
“Your coat, Cleo.” Jonathon’s words burst the bubble surrounding us like a pin in a balloon.
I accepted the coat and cleared my throat. Since Mr. Armitage didn’t immediately move off, I had tointroduce them. Indeed, Mr. Armitage looked somewhat taken aback by the arrival of a stranger bearing my coat.
As it turned out, they weren’t strangers to each other.
