Page 66 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

“Thank you for enlightening me. Perhaps you have a brilliant idea to share with the group?”

Templeton leaned forward. “In fact, I do.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“I am escorting Miss Blake to the theater tonight. She tells me Her Grace is attending with us. The injury to her face is apparently healed and she now feels as though she can be seen in public.”

Alex’s heart sped up. “I will wait outside Montfort’s place and sweep her away in my carriage.”

“No!” all three men answered at once.

Cam ran his fingers through his hair “Whatever is wrong with you, Bedford? This entire fiasco has turned you into an addlepated fool.” He shook his head.

“What?” He thought the plan a fine one. Pick her up in his arms and carry her to his carriage where she would remain until he had his say. He saw nothing wrong with that.

Hawk pointed at him. “The last time I saw Her Grace she was calling you a monster and a bully. Do you really think forcing her into your carriage and taking her prisoner would change her mind? Think about it, man.”

Alex slumped back into the chair. “You’re right.”

Templeton counted off on his fingers. “First, you will present yourself at the theater tonight and go to Montfort’s box. Make sure it is after the show starts. Second, I will see that there is an empty seat next to Her Grace of which you can make use. She is well mannered enough that she will not leave the box. Third, if you make a scene and embarrass Her Grace, or Miss Blake, I will personally drag you out of the theater and pummel you.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “I will not embarrass anyone.” He paused. “Why is it you will be attending the theater with Miss Blake?”

Templeton waved him off, a slight flush to his face. “I invited her, and she suggested we use her cousin’s box.”

“You and Miss Blake? Patience told me her cousin was holding out for a title.”

He glared at him. “We are discussing your relationship and how you have managed to muddle it up, and how we—your friends—are trying to salvage the mess you have made.”

“Nicely done, Templeton. A good deflection,” Cam murmured from behind his newspaper.

Hawk snorted.

“Is there something going on with you and Patience’s cousin of which I am unaware?”

Templeton sighed. “Do you want my help or not?”

“Yes.”

“Then do as I say. If this doesn’t work, I am afraid all is lost. From what Miss Blake has confided in me—” He raised his finger at Alex. “Do not venture off into that avenue. Her Grace is still adamant that you are the worst of the worst.”

That’s what he was afraid of. Two weeks of separation and he felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest. This time it was even worse than when she’d been swept away from him by their fathers. This time she was his wife.

Truly his love.

Alex stood in the lobby of the theater and carried on an inane conversation with Lady Talbot about her dogs. To his credit, he hadn’t thrown his hands up in frustration and stalked off at the woman’s meandering, since he was only wasting time until the play began.

He’d only been in the theater a few minutes when Templeton, Miss Blake, and Patience arrived. He thought for a minute she’d seen him, but she bent her head toward Miss Blake to say something to her, and he turned his back, hoping she would not storm across the lobby and chastise him, or worse, call for her carriage.

When he glanced over his shoulder the group was gone, and he let out a deep breath. He continued to nod at Lady Talbot, wondering what the devil she was blathering on about now. Something about Lady Clarendon, the Earl of Clarendon’s countess, performing surgery on animals. He shook his head. Poor Lady Talbot was obviously delusional and in dire need of a guardian of some sort.

An announcement came from a footman that the play was about to start. Alex offered to escort Lady Talbot to her theater box just when her son showed up, looking a bit in his cups. Thanking his lucky stars at not being the woman’s escort for the evening, he wished them both an enjoyable time, and walked toward the staircase leading to the theater boxes.

He gave himself about fifteen minutes to be assured the play had started. He climbed the stairs, his heart beating so loudly surely the actors on the stage would be drowned out. This was the first time he would see Patience since that gruesome night when his world had shattered. After receiving directions from a footman, he found his way to the Montfort’s box and stopped outside, taking a deep breath.

He stepped inside to see Templeton, Miss Blake alongside him, and Patience next to her. The chair alongside her stood empty, just as Templeton had promised. They were all caught up in the play. He moved quietly to the seat next to Patience, and sat.

“Good evening, my love.”