The duke certainly knew what he was about. The stares and whispers were noticeable.
She was seated next to her father and Miss Mayton, with Conbatten, Rosalind, and Darden behind her. Amidst all the stares, there was one that did not weigh upon her—Lord Baderston was in his box and had just very publicly bowed to her.
Viola nodded in acknowledgement. From the distance, she could perceive that his eye did not seem much improved. She was both thrilled at the idea that he’d boxed Chelderberry on her behalf, and worried that it looked even worse than it had when he’d visited the house.
Rosalind leaned forward and said, “It seems Lord Baderston only has eyes for you, Viola. He is using his one good eye very forcefully.”
Viola turned her head and said, “I do think he will ask the momentous question—I only hope it will be soon.”
“We all hope it will be soon,” the duke said drily.
“Ah, look at that,” Darden said from Rosalind’s other side. “The YBC has turned up in force in the pit.”
Viola gazed down upon the pit and one gentleman after another made a very obvious bow in her direction.
She smiled to indicate her appreciation and then looked away to indicate her modesty.
In the looking away, her eyes fell upon a box she’d rather not have noticed. Lady Clara sat with her parents, staring in her direction.
“I find her very bold,” Rosalind said.
“No, my darling,” the duke said to his wife. “Youare bold, she is simply an annoyance.”
The acrobats finished to applause, though Viola had hardly been cognizant that they were there. The play they were to see was calledHear both Sides, which Viola thought was ironic, since thetonnever did pause to hear both sides. Lady Clara had spread a false story and it had been devoured unquestioned.
Viola had felt a bit shaken in the carriage, as the day had brought more letters from matrons who no longer wished to know her. What had once been a very full calendar had significantly dwindled. As well, her aunt had speculated that there might be hostesses who did not write, but just hoped she would not turn up.
She had wondered what she would walk into when she entered the theater. Would anybody make their disdain for her publicly known?
As the acrobats left the stage and it was prepared for the play, the theater was filled with the general chatter of people talking.
Then, one lone voice shouted from the pit.
“Has anybody seen where the tinker’s boy got off to?”
Conbatten and Darden both leapt to their feet. The earl, in a calm and controlled voice, said, “Sit down, if you please.”
They did both reluctantly sit down. The earl was right, there was no point in leaping into any sort of action. The members of the YBC were already down there and looking everywhere about themselves.
It was impossible to tell where the shout had come from.
Movement caught Viola’s eye and she saw that Lord Baderston had leapt up and pointed.
What was he doing?
“He’s seen the culprit,” Darden said. “Good, he will tell me on the morrow and the entire club will snub the villain.”
“I believe the young lord has more in mind than a snub, if I know him sufficiently,” Conbatten said with a disgusted sigh.
The duke was right. Lord Baderston had just raced out of his box.
“Good for Lord Baderston,” Rosalind said approvingly.
The earl said quietly, “It would be better to leave it ignored.”
“He cannot help it, Papa,” Rosalind said. “He is a young man in love, what else can he do?”
“That is very true,” Miss Mayton said. “Goodness, I suppose Count Tulerstein would have fought anybody for my love. If anybody had turned up that needed fighting.”
