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“It is most romantic,” said Jane looking up at her husband. “Your love, risking all to save you.”
“But he doesn’t save her,” said Charlotte with a sniff. “You do know how this story ends don’t you, Jane?”
Jane did not reply to Charlotte’s question, her attention on the performance.
As the curtain closed for the beginning of the intermission, Charlotte reflected that, only a few short days ago, she would not have been able to feel the pathos of the love story so completely.
It had been difficult for her to admit, but her experience with Lord Marley had deeply shaken her belief in love. Only days ago, she feared she would have watched the opera with a far more jaded eye and guarded heart. Now, after a few brief encounters with Sir John Ashbrooke, she found she was eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the performance. She hoped whole-heartedly for the lovers portrayed to overcome their seemingly insurmountable odds and find completion in each other’s arms. Of course, that was the point of the story. Death was final, and yet, did true love live on, she wondered?
“I suppose I had best make my visit,” Lord Keegain said, rising with a sigh. He was obviously reluctant to leave his wife’s side, having enjoyed watching her sensitive spirit respond to the emotion of the opera. Jane gripped his hand appreciatively for a brief moment, and smiled at him, dabbing at her own tears with her handkerchief, as he exited.
* * *
From his vantagepoint in Lord Blakely’s box, Sir John Ashbrooke noted Lord Keegain’s movement with some satisfaction. He had assumed that the man would approach him soon, in light of the fact that the Keening family had all appeared to notice and discuss his presence before the opera commenced. He had spent the majority of the first act watching Lady Charlotte. She had been moved nearly to tears by the performance and, in spite of himself, John wished he had been at her side to comfort her. He was ruminating on the possibility of attending a future performance with her at his side, her head resting delicately upon his shoulder, when there was a quick knock on the door to the box. Sir John had to take a moment to smother what was undoubtedly an improper expression before inviting Lord Keegain inside.
“Good evening, sir. I hope you will pardon the intrusion,” Keegain said briskly.
“Certainly,” Sir John replied. “I do not know if you recall making my acquaintance last year, Lord Keegain, but I have been hoping to renew it.”
“I do recall, and my mother tells me that my father once had some favorable business dealings with Sir Richard, although that was before our time.”
“I remember seeing some correspondence relating to that when I sorted my father’s affairs, yes. As a matter of fact, I am quite pleased to speak to you in particular. I attended the ball at Almack’s on Wednesday last, and then bumped into a number of your relatives at Hyde Park only yesterday.”
“And then we are all here tonight at the opera,” Lord Keegain murmured, with one brow arched quizzically. “Marvelous coincidences, but then, theToncan be a rather small place if someone wishes it to be so.”
“I do not know about coincidence,” Sir John said, looking a little shamefaced. “I admit, I came tonight in the hopes that I might see your family. I do not particularly care for the opera in and of itself, if you must know.”
“It certainly seems to strike a chord with my female relations more than with myself.” Lord Keegain laughed easily. “But I must say I enjoy that aspect of it enough to compensate for my attendance. Was there a particular member of my family that you were hoping to see, Sir John?”
“I will not pretend otherwise. I had the great fortune of making Lady Charlotte’s acquaintance at the ball at Almack’s and I find myself quite taken with her. I hope you do not take objection to my saying so, but I rather fervently wish to further my acquaintance with her.”
“I should take more offense if you had attempted to prevaricate,” Lord Keegain said, whilst eyeing Ashbrooke critically. He was clearly attempting to size him up and John stood a bit straighter under the man’s scrutiny. “I have nopresentobjection to your furthering your acquaintance with my sister, Sir John.” Lord Keegain let the sentence hang for a moment and Sir John was aware that tacit acceptance could change in a moment’s notice. He did not want to get on the wrong side of this man. He wondered if it was true the man had shot a French spy. It was not something he could ask.
“Would you care to join my family in our box for the remainder of the intermission?” Keegain asked, and Sir John smiled.
“I should be honored,” Sir John said sincerely. “I do not believe my current host will miss my presence. I came as a guest of Lord Blakely, and he has abandoned me in pursuit of a lady who has caught his fancy.”
“That does sound very like Lord Blakely,” laughed Lord Keegain.
The two men made their way to the Keening family’s box, and Lord Keegain introduced Ashbrooke to his mother.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir,” the dowager said graciously, all the while giving him a thorough once-over. “My late husband spoke quite well of your father.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Sir John said with a low and deferential bow. “I always looked up to my father,” he admitted. “But one never knows how others may perceive their childhood idols. It always pleases me to hear a contemporary who confirms my high opinion of him.”
“A charming sentiment,” the dowager remarked casually, looking as though she were weighing the sincerity of his words.
Sir John caught her expression and smiled rather weakly. It was best to show courtesy, but he was beginning to feel like a horse at sale, with all the apprising glances in his direction. It was making him decidedly uncomfortable.
“That is very kind of you to say. I find myself tripping over my own tongue half the time, particularly when I am in any kind of nervous state.”
“Are you in a nervous state just now, Sir John Ashbrooke?” the dowager demanded merciless in her questioning.
“Ah – well, that is to say...” he blundered, looking helplessly from one to another member of the family.
“Oh, good heavens, Mama, there is no need to needle Sir John so cruelly upon your first acquaintance.” Charlotte explained, feeling that Ashbrooke needed some rescue.
“I suppose you think I ought to save my needling for when the gentleman and I are on more familiar terms? But then he would be taken by surprise, and I should hate to have deceived the poor man.” The dowager smiled. “Do not mind me, Sir John, I shall not trouble you further.”
