“Why am I meeting this earl then? I thought tonight’s introduction was the first step to find me a suitor.”
“Absolutely not.” Mama’s cheeks flushed under the rouge. “What I want for you is Lord Havisham’s connections.”
Connections? What did that mean? Connections for what? Anyway. She was at the theatre and would enjoy herself. Yes, sir, she would.
Footmen and theatre hosts ushered ladies and gentlemen to their boxes. The air was thick with the scent of different expensive perfumes. Mama stopped in front of box number twelve, where a quite imposing man stood as if guarding it.
Goodness. If the man was a footman, he worked in the wrong trade. With his massive body and brooding gaze, he should be a highwayman or a pugilist. Footmen, in her mind, were supposed to be elegant. The man looked like a war machine ready totramp everything in his path. His dress livery was impeccable and freshly pressed, but the hard hazel eyes were those of a murderer.
Mama stepped back from the imposing footman. “Good evening. I believe Lord Havisham is waiting for us.”
The footman cast a long, assessing glance over them as if pondering how long it’d take him to wrestle both of them to the ground. Not much, judging by how quickly he dismissed them. Angeline felt that stare patting her down. She glared back, hoping he noticed her disapproval.
“Who are you, madam?” Even the voice sounded dangerous, as sharp as a knife.
“Mrs. Haywood and my daughter, Angeline.” Mama pointed her fan at the door. “His Lordship is waiting for us, and the play is about to start. So please move aside, fella.”
Without a word, the footman slid inside the box and shut the door.
“How insolent,” Angeline said. “Leaving us here without a word, and he demanded we introduce ourselves” She’d learnt something from that etiquette book, after all.
“Patience.” Mama patted her perfect chignon. “The first rule to gain a man’s favour is to let him believe he has the upper hand.”
“Do you want to gain that footman’s favour?”
“You never know whom you might need one day. It’s better to keep friends with everyone, just in case.”
“Isn’t that manipulation?”
“No, it’s survival.”
The footman came out only to shut the door behind him. “His Lordship will welcome you now.” He held the door open for Mama, but after she entered the box, he blocked Angeline. “His Lordship specifically required only Mrs. Haywood’s presence.”
“Excuse me?” Mama said.
Angeline didn’t step back this time. “But we’re together. Mama?”
“Wait a moment, darling. I’ll have a word with Lord Havisham.” Mama closed the door, leaving her alone with the highwayman.
“I’m sure the earl wants to see me as well,” she said.
He didn’t grace her with a comment.
“I don’t understand why I have to wait here.”
He didn’t say anything.
“You could say something.”
“Is ‘please wait here’ enough?”
She scoffed. “How rude.”
“I said please,” he pointed out.
Never mind. She waited for the longest minute in her life. When Mama came out of the box, she was flustered and tense.
She shot a glare at the footman. “I’m sorry, darling, but the earl and I must discuss some business.”
“In the opera box?”
Mama tapped her fan against her palm. “It’s a long story. The earl wants you to wait here. Perhaps at the end of the first act, he’ll allow you in.”
“I won’t be able to follow the play.”
“You already know the plot, don’t you?” Mama patted Angeline’s cheek. “I’ll see you later, darling.”
“What about the play?” Angeline craned her neck to talk with her mother, but the rudest footman in history shut the door. “I’m sorry!”
He gave her a quick nod. “Consider your apology accepted, miss.”
