Esme smiled."That was not my intention."
"I know," Alexandra said."That's what makes it effective.Come, let me show you your seat."
She led them down the aisle.Esme felt Harrison tense as he scanned for suitors.
"Here we are," Alexandra said, tapping a card on the second row."Lady Esme, Miss Moreland, Lady Oakford."
Lady Oakford gave Esme a warm smile."We shall do our best to behave."
"And Lord Watford?"Harrison asked.
"Ah," Alexandra said, her expression innocent."There."
She indicated a seat several places away.
"And who is between?"Mother inquired.
"Mr.Dane, for one," Alexandra said, "and Lady Honoria."
Esme's gaze drifted to the empty seat beside hers.
The card read: Viscount Redford.
Her pulse jumped.
Mother followed her gaze and stiffened."Lady Langley..."
"Oh, do not worry," Alexandra said smoothly."I am far too fond of your daughter to place her in danger.You see?"She gestured at the surrounding seats."Genny, Lady Oakford, half a dozen witnesses.Redford cannot cause trouble with so many people listening.He will be as tamed as a lapdog."
Genny snorted softly."You have clearly never met a lapdog."
Mother hesitated.The room hummed around them and people were watching.To object now would be to admit fear.
"At least," she said tightly, "everyone will see that nothing untoward occurs."
"Exactly," Alexandra said."What safer chaperone than the entire ton?"
Harrison said nothing, but Esme could feel his disapproval.
She sat.
Genny sat beside her at once, fanning herself with the program."Excellent," she whispered."We can whisper rude remarks during the recitatives."
Esme's lips curved."We must not."
"We absolutely must."Genny peered at the card on Esme's other side."Lady Oakford will assist.She has given up on propriety entirely."
Lady Oakford smiled serenely."My dears, I do not whisper.I provide commentary."
Esme laughed under her breath.
Then Redford took his seat.
He slid into the place beside Esme with ease, the faintest hint of sandalwood clinging to his coat.He bowed his head, first to Mother in the row behind, then to Esme.
"Lady Esme.Minister of Chaos," he murmured, nodding to Genny.
"Lord Redford," Esme said."I begin to suspect you enjoy sitting near me."
