AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you don’t, I’m coming in.”
Mayhew had finally left. Her mother and Lady Fletcher would gossip and play cards through the opera, stopping only to scrutinize the prima donna as she sang her arias.
Viola reentered the box and sat beside Beatrice. “I discovered two things,” she whispered. “The first is that your mother has been spreading the rumor that Mayhew will propose to you at the costume ball at your house—and that you will accept.”
Beatrice’s temperature rose. “She’s delusional if she thinks I’ll accept a proposal from that bombastic braggart.”
“The second is that there is a highly volatile and possessive rogue waiting for you in the empty box down the hall.”
“Wright?” she whispered urgently, her heartbeat starting to gallop.
Viola nodded. “He says he has something urgent to tell you.”
Beatrice’s first thought was Foxton. He’d been back to the bookshop and made more threats. It must be dire if Ford had come here to talk to her.
Beatrice looked at her mother. She was absorbed in her game of cards. Mayhew had already visited and been promised the first dance at the costumeball, so her mother’s goal for the evening had been achieved.
“Mama?”
“Yes?” Her mother didn’t even glance up from her hand of cards.
“May Viola and I take a brief turn down the hallway and back? I’m feeling somewhat faint and would like a little exercise.”
“Handsome earls do tend to make ladies feel dizzy,” said Lady Fletcher with an insinuating smile.
“Yes, dear,” her mother said distractedly. “Don’t be gone too long.”
Chapter Fifteen
“What is it, Ford? What’s so urgent?” Beatrice asked. He was a hulking shadow in the unlit and unoccupied box.
“Shh.” Ford pulled her inside and drew the curtains, enclosing them in darkness and red velvet. “We can’t let anyone see us.”
“I know that. I’m taking quite a risk coming here. I only have until the end of this aria. Viola is keeping watch outside. Is it Foxton? Did he return to the shop?”
“It’s not Foxton.”
“It’s not? Then it must be Mrs. Kettle or Mr. Coggins. Has something happened to one of the servants?”
“It’s not the servants.” He grasped her shoulders. “It’s Mayhew. I don’t want you talking to him.”
“Mayhew?” She laughed softly. “Is that all? He’s harmless.”
“No, he’s really not. I don’t want you talking to him, laughing at his jokes, gazing up at him, or allowing him to stare down your bodice. And you definitely can’t marry the man.” He let go of her shoulders. “That is all. You may go back now.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously? And here I thoughtyou had something truly important to say. You came all the way here . . .” She sniffed the air. “From the pub, if I’m not mistaken, to tell me what I can and can’t do.” She tossed her head. “I get quite enough of that from my mother, thank you very much.”
“You don’t understand. I’ve just heard a story about Mayhew that would make your blood run cold. He’s dangerous.”
“What story?”
“I was in a pub by the docks and a barmaid told me that Mayhew had... violated her sister. He lured her with promises and then cast her away like a soiled glove.”
Her stomach dropped. “He can’t get away with that.”
“He already has. Happens all the time. Wealthy men treat the dockside taverns as their hunting grounds. Promise me you won’t marry him. Promise me.”
“Or...?”
