“That is what makes it entertaining,” he whispered back.
Charlotte turned sharply toward the stage before she said something deeply improper. The orchestra began playing moments later as the curtains slowly rose to reveal the performers beneath brilliant stage lights. Around them, the opera house quieted into attentive silence while music swept richly through the air.
Besides Charlotte, Elizabeth remained delighted for approximately ten minutes. Then she fell asleep entirely. Charlotte noticed the soft snore first. She looked over carefully. The dowager duchess sat comfortably nestled into her chair with her head tilted slightly to one side, entirely unconscious before the first act properly unfolded.
Charlotte could not help smiling.
“She lasted longer than expected,” Victor murmured quietly beside her.
Charlotte lowered her voice. “Should we wake her?”
Victor glanced once toward his grandmother. “Absolutely not.”
Charlotte laughed softly before turning back toward the stage.
Unfortunately, this left her sitting far too aware of the duke beside her.
The darkness of the private box only worsened matters. Candlelight flickered across Victor’s sharp features while shadows deepened the green of his eyes whenever he glanced toward the stage. His broad shoulders nearly brushed hers with every slight movement.
Charlotte found herself noticing entirely too much. The roughness in his voice. The elegant strength of his hands. The way he lounged so carelessly while still somehow appearing dangerous. Quite without meaning to, she stole another glance toward him.
Then another. Then, unfortunately, a third.
Victor spoke without looking at her. “You may continue staring if you wish.”
Charlotte nearly choked. “I was not staring.”
“You were,” he said quietly.
“I was merely looking in your direction,” she said.
“How fortunate for me that my face occupied that direction,” he said.
Charlotte flushed hotly. “You are insufferably vain.”
Victor finally turned his head toward her slowly. “You keep proving me correct.”
“I do not,” she said.
“You looked three times in under a minute.” he smiled.
Charlotte stared forward rigidly. “I was observing the audience.”
Victor leaned slightly closer. “You may keep looking if you like. There is no harm in it.”
Charlotte refused to acknowledge the warmth curling low in her stomach. “Is this what you do with your women?”
Victor’s brow lifted slightly. “My women?”
“You know perfectly well what I mean. Like the one I caught you with that day in your forbidden room.”
She folded her arms defensively before continuing. “Do you bring them to the opera merely to seduce them in your private box?”
Victor became very still beside her. Then slowly, dangerously, he leaned closer. Charlotte’s pulse immediately quickened.
“Are you curious?” he murmured near her ear.
Her breath caught traitorously. “No.”
