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* * *
The journeyto the theatre district included the two Johns, the coachman, and a footman. Richard informed her that the additional two guardsmen, the men she had not yet met, stayed to guard the nursery, so it was clear he was not relenting regarding security. She shrugged it off. At some point this would pass, and in the meantime, she was happy to help give him peace of mind by cooperating with the measures he was taking.
They watched the first half of the show from a private box that he maintained, and she recognized many of the chattering patrons sitting in the opposite balconies who appeared to be using their lorgnettes to observe the comings and goings of other patrons under the recently installed gaslights. On either side of where they sat, she could hear the gossip spilling from noble lips in the adjacent boxes.
Sophia always found the theatre most enjoyable. She had never understood the inclination of thetonto use such events to tattle because the performance always riveted her.
Consequently, when the intermission arrived, she found herself quite bemused, taking a moment to realize that Richard was waiting for her to join him for refreshments. He stepped out into the corridor ahead of her, likely to ensure her safety on the short walk to where the two Johns stood waiting, when she heard a commotion. Sophia exited the box in consternation to find Richard embroiled in an argument with another patron, a young lord who was vaguely familiar.
Her senses reeled with confusion when she noted that a crowd of society’s most important members was forming to observe the scene. Turning to Richard, she gasped when she saw he was holding a handkerchief to his face, spotted with crimson drops. She raised her hand to his face, only to drop it when the tempestuous young man lunged forward, startling her into retreating a step back at the same moment Richard angled forward to shield her with his body.
“You stay away from Lady Partridge, you hear me?” The two Johns had grabbed hold of the man’s flailing arms, preventing him from attacking Richard once more.
“Stanford, I do not know what you are referring to! I have not spoken to Lady Partridge since before my betrothal to Miss Ridley. It must be at least two years since I even spoke to the widow!”
That was it—the young man is Lord Stanford!
“Your friend informed me he saw you visiting her home in January of this year, while I was in Paris on family matters. I know your reputation, Saunton!”
“In January I was in Somerset, hosting a house party with several witnesses! I could not possibly have been seen in London because I was nowhere near! What friend told you that?”
Sophia could tell Richard was keeping a tight leash on his temper, rage glinting in his narrowed eyes and his chiseled jaw set in an angry line. Stanford, who must be Lady Partridge’s current paramour, refused to be placated, nor would he betray the confidence of the friend who had informed him. He finally stalked off in outrage, while Richard held his head back to stop the blood.
“We should leave. Your nose might be broken, and we need to summon a doctor.”
Richard’s eyes found hers, his face still tilted back and his white handkerchief spotted with red.
“Sophia, I swear I have not spoken to that woman in at least two years.”
She watched him for a moment, noting the sincerity and concern in his eyes while he waited for her response. She believed him, but would he finally be honest about the threat that plagued them? “Do you think that the friend he mentioned caused this trouble on purpose? Used the facts of your past to cast aspersions about the present?”
Richard looked away, staring at the ornate ceiling. “I am sure it was a case of mistaken identity.”
Sophia found herself grinding her teeth once more. Her vexatious husband must think her a cretin. It had long since become obvious that there was an imminent threat, but he continued to pretend that they were suffering from a string of coincidences. What would it take for the infuriating lummox to admit there was a problem?
* * *
By the timethey boarded their carriage, the bleeding had stopped, so Richard stuffed the ruined handkerchief in his pocket. He could see the ire in Sophia’s eyes and the way her jaw firmed after he brushed her concerns aside. He realized it was not working to try to fool her, but he would not reveal the note. Perhaps he could admit that he had concerns the events might be connected, which was why he was taking precautions while the matter was investigated.
He looked up to find her staring out the carriage window, but like once before, he sensed she did not see the roadway or buildings but instead was fuming about his behavior.
“Sophia, I admit I had the same thought. That the recent problems plaguing me might be related.”
She swung her gaze to meet his.
“I will ask my man of business to investigate.”
Her eyes fell. She looked disappointed in him.
“Sophia?”
“That is all? There is no other information? Do you suspect someone is doing this deliberately?” She would not look at him. Richard’s chest tightened. His wife was an intelligent woman, but it was his responsibility to protect her. He brought this into their lives, and he would solve it without burdening her with unnecessary fear.
“I do not know, but I will have it investigated. The guardsmen will continue to protect you and Ethan until I am certain there is no further threat.” He reached out a hand to cover her fingers. “Please, Sophia. I apologize you are being exposed to these situations. Know that I had a very different idea of how we would begin this marriage, and I have every intention of setting this right, so you and Ethan are safe.”
What a confusing muddle of ideas. He knew he was alluding to a threat, but then pretending there was no cause for alarm in the same breath. The evening had begun as a smashing success and collapsed into disaster. His nose was throbbing, he had the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, and his temper still ran hot because he had wanted to pound Stanford into the theatre carpeting after the man surprised him with a sudden punch to the face.
He wished to take a hot bath and make love to his wife. It was yet another hellish day—and night—at Balfour Terrace, and the constant fear for his family with no specific target to attack was keeping his nerves on edge. Not to mention, he was lying awake at night trying to work out the most likely source of the menace in their lives.
