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‘You don’t know?’ she asked. ‘But you specifically asked me to arrange for us to see it.’
He covered a yawn with his hand. Apparently late nights and long days weren’t compatible with theatre visits. ‘Sylvia said it was the biggest show opening this week. Although I think she just told me that so I’d get her a ticket, too.’
She stared at him. ‘You’re going to sleep through the whole thing, aren’t you? The lights will go down, the theatre will be warm, the seats will be cosy, and I’ll spend the entire evening trying to pretend you’re not snoring.’
Actually, that didn’t sound all that bad. ‘I’m sure I’ll wake up for the interval drinks.’
Faith rolled her eyes, but then he felt her body tense beside his.
‘Lord Beresford? Perhaps I could get that shot of you with your friend now?’
Photographers. Knowing his luck, they’d get one of him fast asleep halfway through the first act. And now worrying about that was going to keep him awake.
‘Faith? Is that okay?’ He turned to where she’d been standing just moments ago, but the space was empty.
Where the hell had she gone now? And why?
‘Sorry,’ he told the photographer unapologetically. ‘She’s camera shy.’
And then he set about finding Faith, and some answers.
CHAPTER TEN
FAITH HAD FIGURED that the tiny alcove on the back stairs leading up to the Upper Circle was a decent enough place to hide. Plenty of people passing by, none of them likely to recognise a used-to-be-notorious girl in a boring navy dress.
She hadn’t counted on Lord Dominic Beresford’s tenacity, though.
‘What the hell are you hiding from?’ He planted himself outside her hiding place, hands on his hips.
‘I’m not hiding,’ Faith lied. ‘I just got a bit claustrophobic. You know, with all the crowds up there. Thought I’d get some air.’
A group of theatre-goers trying to reach their seats forced Dominic off the staircase and into her alcove, and suddenly Faith really couldn’t breathe. He was too solid, too attractive—and too close! How was she supposed to keep her story straight when she was surrounded by the scent of his aftershave, when she could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt?
‘Claustrophobic.’ Disbelief coloured Dominic’s words. ‘So you hid here. In a ridiculously small alcove with hundreds of people walking past.’
‘I was trying to get outside,’ Faith said, knowing he didn’t believe her. ‘I just got a little turned around.’
‘Then let’s go.’ Grabbing her hand, Dominic led her down the staircase and out through a side door. Faith sucked in the cool evening air, letting it fill her lungs and calm her.
That had been close. Too close. If that photographer had got her photo and run it with a caption about Lord Beresford...it wouldn’t matter where she went next, Dominic would still have to deal with the fallout when someone realised who she was.
He’d still end up hating her.
‘Feeling any better?’ Dominic asked as the side door slammed shut behind them.
Faith nodded. ‘But I don’t think we’re getting back in that way,’ she said, motioning at the handleless door. ‘And I left our tickets in my bag, upstairs in the bar.’
‘I’m fairly sure they’ll let us back in.’ Dominic leant back against the brick wall of the theatre, arms folded over his chest. ‘If I ask them to.’
He was watching her too carefully and his words from the night before flooded her brain.
I just wish you’d stop lying to me and let me see the real you.
How did he know? And how much did he suspect?
‘Are you going to?’ she asked.
‘That depends,’ Dominic said.
‘On what?’
‘On if you’re going to tell me the truth.’
Fear crawled through her middle. ‘I told you. I just needed some air—’
‘Not about tonight. Well, not just about tonight,’ he amended. ‘You’ve been lying to me since the moment we met, and I want to know why.’
Faith stilled, and looked up into his dark eyes.
‘No,’ she said. ‘You really don’t.’
* * *
Her words hit him in the gut. That was it then. Whatever her secret was, it was too big for them to move past. Too huge for her to even trust him with.
It was over, before it ever really started.
He should walk away now. Head back into the theatre and his clients and his sister. Let Faith work out the rest of the trip, without letting her any closer to his heart. Then he should put her on a plane and resign himself to never seeing her again.
He knew exactly what he should do.
