"I enjoy survival," he said."Seating charts that keep me out of range of Lady Honoria's elbows are rare treasures."
Genny sniffed."You are not out of range.She can strike across three chairs if provoked."
"Then we must avoid provocation," he said."At least for the first aria."
The musicians took their places.Conversation quieted as fans stilled.Alexandra offered a few welcoming words and a warning about encores.The first singer, a respectable baritone, stepped forward.
Music swelled.
For a time, Esme relaxed.
She enjoyed music, when allowed to.The baritone had a pleasant voice, and the piece—some Italian thing about unrequited love—was at least more interesting than ink.
Still, her attention wandered.
"And this?"Redford murmured as the music swelled."Does it meet with your approval?"
"The music?"she whispered back."Or the spectacle?"
"Both."
She considered."The music is very fine.The spectacle lacks mischief."
He bit back a laugh."You are becoming exacting in your entertainments."
"When one is watched as if one might start dancing on tables," she said, "one must be precise."
His gaze flicked to Harrison, then back."You are being watched now."
"I know," she said, without turning.
He paused."Then let us give them nothing worth whispering about," he said lightly, "at least, nothing they can prove."
Genny leaned around Esme."Are we plotting already?"
"Always," Esme whispered.
As the baritone gave way to a soprano with unfortunate ambitions, their Society came quietly to life.
Nothing dramatic.Just...alterations.
A slight delay in passing the program to a young gentleman aiming for Esme's attention, forcing him to speak to Lady Honoria instead.A deliberate misreading of the song list that sent a pompous colonel to the wrong seat, depositing him beside a bluestocking who promptly engaged him in a lecture on Roman law.A well-timed cough from Genny that masked Esme's snort when the soprano rhymed "heart" with "art" for the third time.
Small, harmless things.Breathing room.
During the interval, guests rose to stretch their legs and replenish their glasses.
Mother swooped down upon Esme almost at once."Well?You are comporting yourself?"she demanded in an undertone.
"Yes, Mama," Esme said."I have not eloped with the violinist."
Mother did not appreciate the humor."Lord Redford, I trust you have been sufficiently...entertained by the music?"
"Entirely, Lady Woodmere," he said, bowing."And by the company.Your daughter is a model of decorum.I have hardly had to restrain her from any outrageous acts at all."
Mother eyed him."See that you do not encourage any."
"I am far too cowardly," he said.
