Page 56 of Duke of Bronze
When the appointed hour arrived, Anna was met with yet another surprise. Colin himself stood waiting beside the carriage, a rare sight indeed. More striking, however, was his attire, for it was simple and unassuming.
"I was not expecting you to collect me yourself," she remarked, allowing him to assist her into the carriage.
"Did you not request to be surprised, my lady?" he challenged with a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
"I did. Though I begin to suspect I shall regret it." She chuckled and settled into her seat.He smirked, and as the carriage set into motion, she turned to him, her curiosity unabated. "Where are we going?"
"Are you certain you understand the meaning ofsurprise, Anna?"
She scoffed and gave him a playful shove.
When they arrived at their destination, Anna's eyes widened in astonishment. Before them stood a theatre—not one graced by the aristocracy but a far humbler establishment, its weathered façade alive with bustling energy. This was a place for the common folk, the working class.
She turned to Colin, her heart pounding with anticipation.
He offered her an encouraging nod, leading her inside. The moment she took her seat, excitement coursed through her. She did not know what to expect.
The performance began, and within minutes, laughter bubbled from her lips, unbidden and unstoppable. It was a satire, utterly immersive, its wit sharp enough to cut through any decorum. Anna found herself so lost in the merriment that she barely noticed Colin watching her. When she finally turned to sharesome jest, she found his gaze fixed upon her. A satisfied smile played upon his lips, and there was something else in his expression—something warm, unreadable. The sight sent a flutter through her stomach, heat rising to her cheeks.
She was about to look away when, suddenly, a boot soared through the air, landing upon the stage with an unceremoniousthud.
Then a hat.
Another shoe followed, all accompanied by raucous cheers.
Anna startled, glancing around in confusion.
"My, I would throw two hats if I had another! Jolly good show, jolly good show!" a man nearby bellowed, clapping enthusiastically.
Colin leaned in, whispering near her ear, "They throw objects onto the stage as a sign of approval. The greater the performance, the more hats and boots it receives."
Anna burst into laughter at the oddity of it all, only to be met with the amused gaze of an elderly woman seated beside her.
"Are you enjoying the play, child?" the woman asked, nudging her.
Anna nodded, still laughing.
"Then here," the woman said, pressing a small, worn hair clip into Anna's palm. "Toss this. Show them your appreciation."
Anna hesitated. "Oh, I couldn't possibly?—"
"Balderdash!" the woman huffed. "Unless, of course, you arenotenjoying yourself?"
Colin's voice came from beside her, low and coaxing. "Go on, then."
With an impulsive grin, Anna took the hair clip and hurled it toward the stage. "Jolly good show!" she called.
Beside her, Colin removed his hat and threw it after hers. "Jolly good show!"
Anna gasped at his audacity before dissolving into more laughter.
The audience erupted, the revelry surging around them like a living thing. In this moment, there were no ranks, no rules, no obligations. Just laughter, joy, and a shared experience unmarred by the weight of society.
She wished she could stretch the evening forever. But all good things must end.
Or so she thought.
Instead of returning her home, Colin led her to a lively tavern, where yet another adventure awaited. They abandoned all pretense of refinement, drinking to their hearts' content as they cheered on an animated game of whist.
