They reached the landing, and Chidding guided them into a corridor rather than turning for the next flight of stairs. Her heart gave a little lurch because she was familiar with this hallway. She’d walked it half a dozen times with Knightly. Could the man not leave her in peace for even a moment? Did everything have to always remind her of the dratted scoundrel? Until recently, she hadn’t realized how she longed to be completely free of him. With no memories, no encounters, no sightings.
Then Chidding stopped beside drawn curtains, slipped a hand between the part, and drew the thick velvet aside.
Oh, God, she knew this box. Intimately. She knew it was mostly shadows and the casual grazing of a hand over her arm could not be seen. She knew the view she would have of the stage. How the actors’ voices carried so clearly the performers could be standing right before her, on the same level.
Because people were striving to edge past them, to get to their own boxes, she stepped inside, grateful to see no other occupants. She hadn’t wanted him here, hadn’t wanted him interfering. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from saying, “This is Knightly’s box.”
“It was,” Chidding said. “He lost it to me in a card game. Shall we make ourselves comfortable?”
He indicated the two rows of tufted chairs. Shemade her way to the front row, purposely sitting in a chair she’d never before occupied. He settled beside her. Lady Finsbury gave a little groan as she lowered herself into a chair behind them.
Regina shifted to face Chidding more squarely. As far as she knew he had no gambling debts. He was frugal, careful with what little money he had. “I didn’t think you were one for making wagers.”
“I’m not. But I do enjoy going to the club. I like the atmosphere of the Dragons’ library, and it provides an opportunity to visit with the gentlemen I know, to keep up on matters of import, to discuss new ways to manage our estates. I’m not the only one to experience a decrease in the income they provide. But, as a general rule, the gaming doesn’t appeal to me.”
“Yet, you won the box.”
“Odd thing that. After our encounter at the park, that evening I was at the club, in the library, when Knightly approached and invited me to a game in a private room. Only the two of us. I confessed to having no coins with which to wager, but he wasn’t interested in coins. Rather he wanted my horse, of all things.”
She couldn’t imagine it. Knightly wasn’t going to give up Shakespeare. What need of he for another horse? What game was he playing?
“Mentioned you fancied the theater,” Chidding continued, “and was willing to put up this box. One hand. That’s all we were dealt. And I won. So here we are.”
Before she could respond, the lights dimmed, and the curtains were drawn aside.
“You are pleased to be here, aren’t you?” he asked, and she heard the doubt in his voice.
She smiled reassuringly. “I do love the theater.”
Turning her attention to the stage, she fought to concentrate on the performance rather than all the memories bombarding her. Sitting here with Knightly, her chaperone behind her. The way he managed to skim his finger secretively along her arm. His knee touching hers. Later, when Mrs. Dorsett had begun snoring, he’d pressed his mouth to Regina’s ear and whispered, “I want you, Reggie.”
With the urgency reflected in his voice, she’d been able to do little more than nod.
“After I return you home, sneak out of your residence. I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the drive.”
At the Wolfford ball, he’d kissed her as he’d promised, in the garden, and several times since. She’d known what he wanted, had known what would happen if she met him.
The first time she’d sat in this box had been her last night as a virgin.
Chapter 15
May 1870
Trepidation and excitement coursed through Regina as her maid prepared her for bed. As much as she trusted Millie, she couldn’t confess that as soon as the residence grew quiet, she was going to slip out into the night. Her plans were a secret, a delicious secret, and no one else knowing added to the wonder of them.
Knightly wanted her; she wanted him. She rather imagined her mother had felt the same about her earl. What was a bit of misbehavior when the want was so great it became a need, one that required an answering, a satisfaction?
Once she was beneath the covers, she said good night to Millie and snuggled down as though preparing to sleep, while her maid closed the door in her wake. Then Regina waited. Quiet as a mouse. Holding her breath. Perfectly still. Listening. Until no sounds of movement were to be heard.
Gingerly, determined the bed would not squeak, she eased out from beneath the covers, her feet hitting the floor, snatched up her night wrap, and slid it on. Quickly she tugged on her slippers. Taking nothingelse, she crept out of the room and down the stairs. She crossed the entryway to the door. It had already been bolted for the night, but she would need it unbolted when she returned so she had no qualms about unlocking it now.
Her heart was thundering. Other than kissing Knightly, she’d never done anything so risqué before, anything that might upset her father if he was to learn of it. She’d always been such a good girl, hoping to retain his love for her. But she knew tonight she was going to be very, very bad. And she absolutely didn’t care what it might cost her. Because she was in love. Madly, irrevocably, determinedly in love.
And she was loved in return. Unconditionally. He didn’t care about her lack of pedigree. Within his eyes, she was perfection. She was not left to feel wanting.
Once outside, she dashed down the drive, her legs moving at a frantic pace before her courage deserted her. She wasn’t very far from the residence, however, when Knightly was suddenly beside her taking her hand and slowing her movements.
“What’s the rush, princess?” he asked.
