“Yes, it will. I’m looking forward to spending the evening with you.”
“I imagine the theater will be packed. She’s quite popular,” Harriet said.
He glanced down at her. He couldn’t believe how lucky he’d been to meet her. She was so easy to talk to. She never put on airs and could hold her own in some of the various discussions they’d had recently.
“The theater is sold out for every performance.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. When she was here a few years ago, the same thing happened. Every performance sold out. This is going to be a very special evening,” she replied.
Out of the blue the words flew out of his mouth. “What do you want out of life?”
Her brow arched as she gazed up at him. “What an odd question,” she replied.
“You think so? Unlike you, my life has been planned for me since the day I was born. I have no choice but to make the best of the cards I’ve been dealt.”
“It sounds as though you’re feeling sorry for yourself. To answer your question, I want a husband who loves me, children, a nice home. As women, we don’t have the liberties men have.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked.
“There are places I’m not allowed and wouldn’t be even if I were married. I don’t like the fact that women are looked upon as second-class citizens. I would like to see that change, even if it’s small.”
He gazed down at her. Her answer surprised him. “Women do have businesses they run and most successfully,” he said. “Is there something you have in mind?”
She shook her head. “Not at this time. I’m just now getting a taste of life outside my mother’s reach.”
“True, and you should enjoy it.”
“I am and I will. Everything is so much more relaxed this time around,” she replied.
He glanced up at the sky. It was darkening like a storm was approaching from the west. To the east the sun was still out, poking in and out of clouds.
“I hate to say it, but I think it’s time for us to find the carriage. The sky is beginning to look rather ominous,” he said.
“True. Shall we?”
Lucien spotted his carriage near one of the entrances. He hurried Harriet along. As they climbed inside, the rain descended on them. He noticed a smile on her face. “That was close.”
“Yes, it was,” she replied. “I really have enjoyed this afternoon, Lucien.”
“As have I even if our walk was interrupted.”
“Yes, but it was fun trying to outrace the storm,” she replied.
He nodded. “We made it just in time.”
Unfortunately, the sudden change in the weather put a knot into his afternoon plans. He had wanted to kiss her, but her maid had ended up sitting across from them because of the rain. Any other time she’d have been up top with the driver. Tomorrow evening might bring another opportunity.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Harriet asked.
“How much I enjoy spending time with you,” he replied.
He watched her closely as she reacted to the compliment. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson, and she looked away from him for a moment. He had no intention of embarrassing her, but he felt she needed to know how he felt. He did enjoy spending time with her and would love to spend more with Harriet.
When she looked back at him, her face wasn’t as flushed as a moment ago. “As do I,” she said. Lucien knew what she meant and she was trying not to be too personal with her maid within hearing distance.
Lucien’s carriage stopped in front of Jameson House. A footman came running from the front door with a large umbrella in hand. He took the umbrella from the young man and stepped down from the carriage. Helping Harriet down with one hand, his other holding the umbrella, Lucien quickly walked her to the front door. Another footman had come with an umbrella for the maid.
“Thank you for such a lovely afternoon, Harriet. I look forward to the theater tomorrow evening.” Without thinking Lucien bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. It was a quick kiss as this was not the place for anything deeper. He just wanted her to know how he felt without words. At least for right now.
