Page 79 of A Stranger’s Kiss

“Thanks to you.” Olivia squeezed her cousin’s hands and added in a low voice, “Do not fret.”

“I am trying,” Deborah confessed with a nervous laugh. She lifted her reticule. “I have the package.”

The package she was to leave in the opera box during intermission.

“It will all be over soon,” Olivia promised.

The sounds of the musicians tuning their instruments rolled over the crowd.

“Come, my dear,” Lord Deveraux held out his arm. “We must away to our seats.”

“It is time,” Nicholas said.

It was time. At so very long last. Strangely misty-eyed, Olivia allowed him to guide her forward, toward the stairs leading to their seats. From the corner of her eye, she spied Lord Randall approaching the stairs with Lady Kendrick on his arm. They were a strange couple, but she was glad to spare the man no further thought. She had far more pressing matters to attend.

It was slow going to their seats. It seemed as if every man and woman in Glasgow wished to speak with her in person, from offers of congratulations to inquires after her father’s health. Over the heads of the crowd and on the stairs ahead of her, she spied the banker that had refused her funding. Catching her eye upon him, he paused and offered the deepest bow of respect.

Then, finally, Nicholas led her into the box. Deborah and Lord Deveraux had already taken their seats. Olivia had barely seated herself than the red velvet stage curtains began to open. A wave of applause circled the audience as Florinda stepped onto the stage to stand in a snow-white gown with three magnificent candelabras behind her.

She lifted one finger.

Silence fell. Utter. Complete.

Then, the first notes began to play.

Tears flooded Olivia’s eyes. At last, her father’s music played. She bowed her head and for a time, lost herself in her father’s world.

The minutes passed, but Olivia scarcely noticed. The music flowed through her, pulling her back to her younger years, when her father worked the press and her mother tended their home. Laughter and love abounded. She could hear it all, in every note. She listened, caught up in a dream.

Then, the music ended.

The ushers brought candles into the audience below. Light filled the room. The audience clapped. Men and women shouted brava, brava, just as they had in her dream.

The bells announced the intermission.

Olivia drew a startled breath. How had time passed so quickly? She noticed Deborah fidgeting at her side.

“All will be well, Deborah,” Olivia reassured as they exited the box.

“A message, for Lady Deborah,” one of the ushers approached with a folded letter.

Deborah tensed. Lord Deveraux and Nicholas exchanged looks. With shaking hands, Deborah broke the seal.

“It’s from him,” she squeaked.

“What is it?” Nicholas demanded.

“I am to bring my reticule to the lobby,” she whispered. “That is all.”

“And?” Lord Deveraux prompted.

“He’s to find me there.”

“What the devil?” her fiancé spat.

“We will catch him,” Nicholas assured. “I have more than one man lurking around Lady Kendrick. We’ll be watchful of Mr. Pitt or any other who approaches her.”

“Then, shall we?” Lord Deveraux stepped forward.