“I must confess,” Nash began after a few awkward moments of silence, “I recognize you from the opera.”
Maxey nearly choked on her drink. “You do?”
“Indeed. It surprised me to see the same face night after night in the balcony box. Usually, one performance is enough for most people.”
Maxey laughed, remembering to uphold her aristocratic character. “I am not like most people, Mr. Nash. If there is something I enjoy, I strive to maintain the pleasure for as long as I can.”
“As do I.” He smiled. “But please, just call me Nash. As long as I may call you Maxey?”
Her belly fluttered, and she silently scolded his weakness over her. “Of course.”
He sipped his wine before lowering the glass. “May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“In all the times I saw you sitting in the balcony box, not once did a man escort you. Do you not have a beau or husband?”
“No, I am not married or have a beau.”
His dark brows rose. “But how can that be? Because of your beauty, men should be lined up at your door.”
Her face heated as she silently cursed her innocence. Pretending to be an investigator, she should have more experience. Why hadn’t Carolyn thought of that before sending Maxey out into the real world? But now, she must learn to control her blush. Although she was very innocent, she didn’t want Nash to think she had just come from a convent. She’d had nobody to teach her how to be a woman and flirt with men, so she must make rules up as she went along.
Thankfully, she’d convinced Sally they should take on these roles. After all, Ignatius might not share himself or his feelings with servants.
Ignatius was clever, but Maxey viewed herself as a perfect adversary. Nobody disappeared without leaving some clue behind, and he had taken more than just his brother’s ruby ring this time. Ignatius Burke was a ladies’ man who stole women’s hearts, which made it easier to find his trail.
Maxey smiled. “Men are not lined up at my door, especially when I refuse to encourage them. If a man does not interest me, I let him know immediately.” She sipped her drink. “I would rather not waste his time if I can help it.”
He relaxed in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. The material stretched indecently across his muscles. It was highly unprofessional to be this attracted to him. It didn’t matter if he looked like Greek gods had sculpted him. She must get over this infatuation with him fast. That would be the only way to concentrate on her goal.
She glanced at her companion, whose eyelids drooped. Maxey dared not elbow Sally in the arm and make a scene, but it disappointed Maxey to think the maid could not be more conscientious. True, they hadn’t slept much these past two weeks, but now that they had found their man, both of them should be alert.
Maxey tried to give Nash a relaxed smile, even though the soured mood didn’t call for it. She would certainly reprimand Sally after this was over.
“Nash? What made you decide to perform in an operetta group?”
“My love of singing leads my heart right now.”
“I think you have the most fascinating voice. I also enjoy watching you perform. Your acting abilities are better than I have ever seen. You delve into your character, and your deep emotion captures the audience.”
It wasn’t difficult to flatter the man, only because she truly felt this way. Nash Burke, the opera singer, was magnificent.
“What a kind thing to say.” He smiled and sipped his drink. “I led a boring life before I joined, so when the opportunity presented itself, I climbed aboard and rode off into the sunset.”
“Was your family not upset with your decision?”
He shrugged. “They were, but alas, I followed my heart.”
“Not many men do that, you know.” She took another drink of her wine.
“I’m very much aware, and I have lost some family members because of it. But it was what I had to do.”
“How old were you when you left home?” she asked.
“I had not yet reached my eighteenth year.”
Her breathing quickened. So far, his life fit well with what Carolyn had told Maxey, since William’s younger brother was disinherited when he was eighteen.
