Page 51 of A Rake's Redemption
“Or your title or money,” Alex replied.
Brice studied him again. “Youarein a foul mood this evening.”
Alex sighed and put down his glass. “I did not mean to take it out on you. I just get tired of the duplicity of theton.”
“Ah. Does this have something to do with that Irish groom of yours? Is she not learning to be a lady quite as quickly as you hoped?”
“Her name is Inis,” Alex muttered and then sighed again. “Actually, she is quite a quick learner. Caroline was impressed with her today.”
“Then what is the problem? Inis acts the proper lady at the ball, your pompous-ass brother is properly humiliated and embarrassed at having a peasant in attendance and the girl gets free passage to America where she never has to worry about thetonagain.Fait accompli.”
Brice made it sound so easy. And, in a way, he was right. Alex would have accomplished what he set out to do and Inis would not be harmed because she would be far away from the sharp talons and even sharper tongues of theton. She would not feel the stings or arrows of the gossips.
But Inis would also be gone.
The thought did not set well. He didn’t want to lose her, and that realization terrified him.
Chapter Sixteen
By the middle of the following week, Inis’s ankle was strong enough for her to walk on it, and Alex had decided it was time for her first social outing.
Inis had tried stalling, saying she didn’t feel ready to face Society, but Caroline had told her going to the theater was fairly non-committal. People went to see and be seen and, if they stayed in the box during intermission, she wouldn’t even have to mingle. Alex had further assured her he would stay by her side.
And, as if to stamp “done” to the idea of attending, a new gown had arrived from Madame Dubois for the occasion.
Inis looked down at it now as their carriage drew up in front of the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. The material was a beautiful watered silk that shimmered blue and green depending on the lighting. The fitted bodice was embroidered with tiny, silvery stars and not cut too low. No long ribbons flowed from below the empire waist and no frilly lace stuck out from the edges of the puffed sleeves, either. Evidently, Madame Dubois kept careful records of what her clientele preferred. Not that Inis considered herself a client. Of course, Alex was since he ordered the negligees for his paramours from the modiste.
Inis looked at him sitting across from her in the carriage. His snowy cravat contrasted with his tan face and set off his dark hair, pulled back into a queue for tonight. Beneath the formal black topcoat molded to his broad shoulders, his waistcoat was the same bluish-green color of her dress, with silver threads woven through it. He must have ordered it when he consigned the gown.
He was breathtakingly handsome, which was something she shouldn’t be thinking about. He was not escorting her because he was paying court. He simply wanted her to be seen to add more mystery for the gossips. She wondered how many of his lovers would be in attendance tonight, and if any of them would notice the matching waistcoat. She frowned at the thought.
He must have taken the frown as trepidation. “Don’t worry. You will do fine. All you have to do is sit in your chair and look composed. There’s no reason to be nervous.”
There was, but not for the reasons he thought. The Irish loved a good storytelling, and the wealthier visited the theatre. If one of her uncle’s friends was here tonight… Inis took a deep breath. The box would be fairly dim inside, and she’d had Elsie help arrange her hair to top of her head and tucked under the fashionable headdress that had accompanied the gown. She should be fine. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to remind Alex of their agreement. “You did promise I won’t have to leave the box until the play is over?”
Something flickered in his eyes briefly and then was gone. “Yes. I will not allow you to be humiliated. Trust me.”
It wasn’t humiliation she feared, but perhaps it was better that he think that. “Thank ye. I doona wish to speak to people I doona ken.”
He nodded as the carriage rolled to a stop and the footman hopped off the rumble seat of the carriage to open the door and put down the step. Alex stepped out and turned, offering his hand to her. Even though they were both wearing gloves, she could feel the warmth of his hand. Once her feet touched the ground, he tucked her hand inside the crook of his elbow and gave her fingers a slight squeeze. It was a more intimate gesture than simply offering his arm, although she doubted he meant anything more than to be reassuring with the gesture. It felt oddly protective, too, as he led her into the crowded lobby.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Smile and look straight ahead. We will be at our box in no time.”
She produced a wavering smile and lifted her chin as they moved through the throng. Alex greeted a few of the men and nodded to some of the ladies, but he kept moving as he’d said he would. Inis could feel the stares of the women as she passed them. Most were openly curious, a few more speculative, but one woman seemed more interested than the others, even though she stood a distance away. She had slanted, cat-like eyes that studied Inis as though she were prey about to be pounced on. She felt a little shiver slip down her spine and instinctively moved a bit closer to Alex.
He looked down and offered a reassuring smile. “We are almost there. Just up the stairs.”
Inis nodded and smiled back at him, forcing herself not to look sideways at the woman. She felt like a rabbit burrowing into a safe hole by the time they reached their box.
The inside was dimly lit with a single oil lamp sconce, its light shimmering off the green and gold satin brocade of the walls. Four large chairs upholstered in dark red velvet and two small black walnut tables filled the box. Alex must have seen her looking at the extra chairs, because he spoke quickly.
“I reserved the entire box. No one will be joining us.”
Her first reaction was relief that she would not have to share space with another couple, followed by the querulous thought that maybe Alex did this whenever he brought one of his lovers to the theatre. She frowned. Sweet Mary and all the saints. What was wrong with her? Thinking about what he did with his lovers would only cause pain.
Alex gave her a concerned look. “What is it? You look…troubled.”
“’Tis nothing,” Inis replied. Telling him what had actually been on her mind was out of the question. “I…um… Is it proper to have this much privacy?”
