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Graeme briefly covered his eyes. “Did I say daft? Deranged, more like.”
Thankfully, she was spared the destruction of her fan by their arrival at her house. “On that happy note, I will bid you good night, Mr. Kendrick.”
“Och, we’re not finished, lass,” he growled.
She threw open the door, almost clocking the poor groom who’d come around to set the carriage step. “We aremorethan finished, sir. Good night.”
As she took the groom’s hand, Sabrina ignored the brogue-heavy oath that followed her into the night.
Chapter Six
From their elegant box, Sabrina’s father peered with concern around the theater. “I have never been to the Pan, nor has the king. Why would we? Those persons in the pit look quite dangerous to me.”
The patrons were a perfectly normal mix of aristocrats, shopkeepers and their families, and boisterous but good-humored young men. But since Sabrina’s father rarely went to public performances, fearing exposure to both infection and thelower orders, as he called them, his attitude wasn’t surprising.
“You are perfectly safe, Lord Musgrave,” said Chloe, Lady Hunter, who was seated behind them in the box. “My husband would never put any of us in harm’s way.”
“Indeed,” said Sir Dominic Hunter. “Bow Street Runners are on the premises, providing security. There is also a decided lack of riffraff tonight, due to the cost of the tickets.”
Tonight’s gala performance was a charitable affair for an orphanage in St. Giles, as well as a home for unwed mothers and their babies. Lady Hunter ran the latter establishment herself.
Sabrina’s father had known Sir Dominic for years, since the dignified magistrate had a close relationship with the king. But since the Hunters spent much of their time at their manor house just outside London, Sabrina knew them only as nodding acquaintances. Their invitation, although flattering, had certainly been unexpected.
“Father and I were very happy to make a contribution to your charity,” Sabrina said, smiling at their hostess.
“Thank you, my dear. You were most generous.”
Father looked vaguely alarmed. “We were? Did you—”
“I’ve never attended a theatrical event at the Pan,” Sabrina brightly interjected. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Lady Hunter’s gaze twinkled with understanding. “It’s usually a great deal of fun. Dominic and I always enjoy ourselves here.”
“Yes,greatfun,” her husband replied with sardonic emphasis.
“I do hope there will be no bawdy or ridiculous romps,” Father said fretfully. “The Pan is known for that sort of thing.”
“I picked the program myself,” her ladyship assured him. “Everything will be in the best of taste.”
Drat. Sabrina could use a bit of fun after the debacle at Lady Peregrim’s ball last week, followed by that humiliating scene in the carriage with Graeme Kendrick. She’d not seen him since, and was absolutely burning to apologize for her rude behavior. Not that Graeme had covered himself in glory either, but he’d had a very trying night, so she couldn’t truly fault him.
“Icertainlyhope we will not be troubled by those dreadful thieves,” her father added. “I asked Sabrina to wear her simplest jewelry, but she paid me no heed.”
“Father, no self-respecting thief would look twice at these pearls. They’re as plain as plain can be.”
He flapped his handkerchief with agitation. “There is no such thing as a self-respecting thief, Sabrina. Goodness, me.”
“It’s a figure of speech, dearest. Of course, I’m dreadfully concerned, too.”
Especially since her lamentable conduct at the Peregrims’ ball had been responsible for allowing at least one of the thieves to escape.
“Bow Street will provide ample protection, Lord Musgrave,” Sir Dominic said. “You have nothing to fear.”
A subtle note in the magistrate’s voice prompted Sabrina to turn and catch his eye. She’d always found Sir Dominic’s craggy, impassive features difficult to read. Now, he met her perusal with a bland smile.
“Oh, look. The orchestra is coming out to start the performance,” said Lady Hunter.
“How splendid,” Sir Dominic said dryly.
