Page 72 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
She smiled, a bit jaded by his compliments. John would have loved his use of the word resplendent. For her, it was the same as any other interaction they’d shared. He’d shower her with compliments, relate a few tales from his childhood, then find a time in the evening to sneak a kiss, which she’d only allowed to be on her cheek or hand.
The disappointment she’d witnessed at their last outing when she’d again turned her cheek to him had nearly made her rethink her stance, but she’d held firm. He’d not asked her for her hand and so she’d not give him her kisses.
It was all so… so… boring. And yet two weeks ago, before she’d known that John cared for her, she’d found great excitement in Mr. Wallace’s attentions.
Mr. Kendall led the way to the duke’s box, having received permission to use it for the evening. Three rows of chairs had been brought in, providing more seats than Susannah thought they would ever need. However, a few minutes before the curtain rose, Miss Harris joined them, accompanied by her mother and—
Susannah clamped her gaping jaw shut as John took up a seat behind her. His straight hair had been swept back with pomade, his dark coat and white cravat was accented with sapphires the color of his eyes. The man was devastatingly handsome. How was she ever to concentrate, knowing he sat within a few feet of her?
Johnathan swallowed hard. A curl rested ever so lightly on Susannah’s neck and he could not pull his gaze from it. His fingers twitched with the itch to touch its softness. To wrap it about a single digit and let the others rest on the nape of her neck so he could—
He shook his head, dislodging the heady thought.
When Melior had suggested earlier today that he join them for the evening he’d not expected to be so overcome with desire. He was like a man who’d walked a hundred miles in the desert and now found himself at an oasis. It was not safe, but he could not help but drink in the sight of Susannah, from the top of her curls down to the toes of her satin shoes.
He missed her.
She sat close enough to touch and yet she was so far away. He missed listening to her play on the Kendall House grand piano. He missed her carefree chatter. But he especially missed the way she always knew what he wanted to say, how she made speaking easier with her intuition and her insight, and how she accepted him, flaws and all, as her friend.
Then Mr. Wallace had come along.
An unholy image of him throwing the man right off the balcony played across his mind. He’d never do such a thing, violence being against his very being, but he was not immune to his very humanity. If Mr. Wallace had never entered the picture, he and Susannah might have found happiness.
Mr. Wallace leaned in to say something to Susannah and she stiffened. He tried to pat her hand, but she pulled it away.
Odd. Johnathan had expected her to welcome Mr. Wallace’s attention.
At intermission she rose, claiming a need to stretch her legs. Mr. Wallace offered to get her something and she gladly accepted. Javenia cast Johnathan a look, one that encouraged him to follow, but he would not. She obviously did not want tospend time with him. The last few weeks had made it abundantly clear who she favored.
Mr. Wallace and Susannah turned to leave, but Melior’s hand stayed her. “Might I ask your assistance, Miss Wayland?”
“Of course.”
Lady Stanford's gaze strayed to Mr. Wallace, then pinched. Was that pain?
Johnathan immediately stiffened.
Susannah must have noticed too, for she said, “Could you procure a drink for Lady Stanford, Mr. Wallace? I believe she could also use refreshment.”
The man’s easy smile faltered, but he answered in the affirmative. When he left the box, all pretense of bravery left Melior’s face.
Nate stood. “We need to leave.”
“Now?” Susannah asked. Her question, spoken a little too loud, echoed around the box.
“Steady, Miss Wayland, the people below are watching. We must keep up pretenses of calm.” Melior rose unsteadily to her feet. “Please make your excuses to Mr. Walla—” She sucked in a breath.
Javenia swept up Melior’s other arm, helping Nate hold her upright, but pretending it was the most natural thing. Dropping her voice, she said, “Mother, have our carriage called as well, please.”
Lady Upton turned to leave and the door opened. Al, with a broad smile on his face and a pair of drinks in hand, entered, apparently ready to join the party. One look at all the worried faces, and his jovial expression faded to one of concern.
“What is happening?”
“Melior is unwell,” Johnathan supplied.
Without a second thought, Al pushed the door back open and summoned a passing waiter. After relieving himself of the drinksand giving orders to have all their teams ready, he turned to escort Lady Upton to the carriages. Only it was not a simple exit as the hallways were teeming with gentlemen and ladies who wished to be noticed.
Javenia turned to him. “John, escort Miss Wayland as close behind us as you possibly can. With Mother and Algenon in front and you both behind, we will merely look like another group looking for refreshment.”
