Beautiful.
The thought arrived swiftly and inconveniently. Victor immediately pushed it aside. Dangerous direction.
“You need not look so horrified,” he said lightly.
Charlotte stared at him. “Half of London believes I am engaged to you, and I am not, of course; I am horrified.”
Victor offered his arm once more as the orchestra bell rang faintly through the foyer, announcing the performance would begin shortly.
“Come along then,” he said smoothly. “Since society insists we are desperately in love, we may as well attend the opera properly.”
Charlotte groaned softly but accepted his arm anyway.
And despite every instinct warning him otherwise, Victor found he did not mind that nearly enough.
* * *
Charlotte had never been so thoroughly irritated by an entire room full of people in her life.
Every single member of society they encountered had smiled knowingly at her and the duke as though they were sharing some wonderfully romantic secret. No matter how many times she clarified that she was merely employed as a companion to the dowager duchess, the ton simply nodded indulgently and behaved as though she and Victor were playacting for amusement.
It is maddening.
Even now, as they followed an usher toward the grand private box overlooking the stage, Charlotte could still hear Lady Pembroke’s delighted voice ringing in her ears.
Men always pretend reluctance at first.
“You appear nervous,” he observed lightly.
Charlotte huffed softly. “I am considering falsely fainting.”
Victor glanced sideways at her. “That may only strengthen the engagement rumors.”
Charlotte frowned at him before stepping inside after Elizabeth. The private box was lavishly decorated with crimson velvet seating and gold trim gleaming beneath candlelight. The stage below stretched magnificently across the opera house while the orchestra tuned their instruments beneath the rising murmur of the audience.
Elizabeth sighed happily as she settled into her chair. “Oh, how lovely.”
Charlotte smiled warmly despite her lingering frustration. “It is beautiful, Your Grace.”
Victor stepped closer behind her. “Allow me.”
Before she realized his intention, he reached gently for her hand as she moved toward her seat. Then, with infuriating smoothness, he lowered his mouth to her gloved knuckles in full view of his grandmother and lightly kissed them.
Charlotte nearly forgot how breathing worked. Victor’s lips lingered just long enough to feel deliberate.
Elizabeth beamed instantly. “Such a devoted couple.”
Charlotte shot Victor a look. The rogue had the audacity to appear innocent.
“You are enjoying this entirely too much,” she muttered under her breath as she sat.
Victor lowered himself into the seat beside her. “Smile, darling.”
Charlotte stiffened immediately. “Do not call me darling.”
His mouth twitched faintly. “Grandmother enjoys it.”
“But I do not,” she whispered.
