“Do let me see the invitation for this evening,” Viola said, “so I may picture where your name would go on it, in place of Lady Marie.”
Miss Mayton handed over the sheet.
In this exciting new idea of Much Ado About Nothing, things proceed as expected, until the final question must be answered. After all the trials poor Hero has been put through, will she still consent to marry Claudio? Or, will she turn to someone else? If so, who? What does her father think of the goings-on? (Heads are spinning as Hero finally sets forth the path to her own destiny!) All will become known in the most dramatic terms in a final revealing moment.
Cast: Hero played by the incomparable Lady Margaret Rawley
Claudio played by the indomitable Mrs. Jemima Robinson
Hero’s father Leonato, played by the indubitable Lady Agatha Montfried
Beatrice played by the indispensable Lady Marie Hedwedder
Viola laid the paper in her lap. “Lady Marie was to be indispensable. Now it is you who have become indispensable, Aunt.”
Miss Mayton nodded contentedly.
Viola was thrilled for her, naturally. Of course, the play would be interesting. But the really interesting thing about the evening would be Lord Baderston.
Would he sit near her? Would he instantly perceive that she was, for all intents and purposes, unchaperoned, as her aunt was preparing to take the stage?
Perhaps the chairs would be situated very close together and he might accidentally brush her hand.
What a delicious thing to wonder about.
*
Roland’s valet, Markson,had been more than a little surprised to discover that Lady Rawley’s invitation to a theatrical evening had been accepted.
Roland supposed most earls never knew if their valet was surprised by any matter, as the fellows would keep that sort of thing under wraps and only mention it at the servants’ table.
Markson, however, had been a boyhood friend. They had run through the woods and fished and wrestled throughout childhood. Markson was meant to be a tenant farmer, just like his father, but he’d never taken to it.
Markson had been observant and clever, though, and it had seemed to him that nobody did less work than a valet. He’d slipped his way into the house as a footman and then made the very astute move of ensuring that Roland’s mother was the recipient of a constant stream of compliments.
He and Markson used to laugh about it. Markson would get himself in the countess’ presence somehow and then shake his head and say softly, “A shame it ain’t my place to speak of it.”
The countess would naturally press him on this thing that could not be spoken. Then Markson would say something along the lines of, “My lady, it’s just that I was in the village on my day off and everybody was talkin’ of when you went by in the carriage last Wednesday and how there was not a more regal looking lady anywhere. They’d dare any county to claim there was.”
The countess became very fond of Markson and he was promoted to Roland’s valet when he was of an age to have one.
“I remember you did complain, though,” Markson said now, “that Lady Rawley’s theatricals were a torture. The last time you went, Romeo and Juliet both lived on very happily and had several children.”
“Romeo named his eldest son Romiet, as a combination ofRomeo and Julietso, yes, I did complain. Rather bitterly, if I recall,” Roland said. “This evening, Lady Rawley is set to massacreMuch Ado About Nothing. My guess is, it will be much ado about something entirely ridiculous.”
“Shakespeare won’t like it. You won’t like it. Why go?”
“Because a certain Viola Bennington is going.”
Markson laid his forefinger along the side of his nose. “I understand you now. A bit of fun, is she?”
“A bit of fun!” Roland said. “Do not ever refer to Lady Viola as a bit of fun. She is nothing of the sort.”
“Ah well, if she’s a lady and she ain’t fun, I reckon the dowager is all in for her.”
“Actually, the dowager is anythingbutall in. And anyway, Lady Viola is fun, she is just not a bit of fun. At least, not in the way you mean it.”
“Does that mean Lady Clara is off, then?”
