Page 65 of The Scoundrel of Drury Lane
“Better. His leg is healing. We’re having to remind him to rest.”
Jude laughed. “That sounds like the lad. And you? Flory said you married that man who came here. Lord Kentwell?”
“Yes...” This time her answering smile was softer, sweeter. “Oh, Jude, you were right. He has been so wonderful. He is so close to banishing that darkness inside him.”
“Because he loves you,” Jude said.
“Yes, and because I love him.” She couldn’t hide her blush this time, but she didn’t care. She was too happy to care whether she looked silly for loving him.
“And what about him?” Jude pointed to Darius. “He always has someone watching you?”
“Kit has enemies, and he worries they might come after me. He worked with me all morning but had to leave, so he had Darius take his place.”
Jude watched Darius lounging near the changing screens where the actresses were. But the man’s eyes were on Suzannah, not on the pretty women preening nearby.
“I never thought I would see the day where a duke played watchdog.”
“You know him?” Suzannah asked Jude, quite surprised.
“Not personally. But I’ve seen him around the city. He assists the Bow Street Runners from time to time. That is something I would like to do, but they will not hire a man like me. Tiverton seems to be a good man. He’s been in some rather dangerous situations from what I’ve heard. Your husband chooses his friends well.”
“Yes, he does.”
When they’d returned to London, Kit had learned that their plan for Ashton Lennox to buy Walsh’s shipping company interest had been successful. And since Lennox hadn’t pay Walsh enough to satisfy all of his debts, so Walsh disappeared shortly after to hide from the remaining creditors who were actively hunting him. Balfour was quiet too, which Suzannah knew worried Kit. He’d been notified that his cases were under review by a chief magistrate, and Suzannah feared that the two men were planning to find a way to avenge themselves upon Kit.
“Well, I finished what I needed to do.” Suzannah squeezed Jude’s hand. “I should go home.”
“You’re missing opening night?” he asked.
“Only this one. I’m simply too tired. But I was thinking of inviting Kit and his friends to come to the next performance.” She always loved opening night, but repainting everything in such a short time had exhausted her.
“I shall see you later,” Jude said.
“Good night,” she called after him before she collected her bag of paint supplies and carried it over her shoulder to Darius. He made polite excuses to the three actresses who were giggling and batting their lashes.
“My deepest apologies, my beautiful ladies, but I must escort Lady Kentwell home to her husband.”
The actresses all swooned as if Darius had broken their hearts.
“Do you suppose Kit and Vincent will be home in time for dinner?” she asked.
He took the bag from her and slung it over his shoulder. “I believe so. They should be back by now. I can’t imagine it would take more than three hours for Mr. Murray to provide his account of events to the magistrate.”
Suzannah and Darius exited the theater. He helped her into the coach and hit his fist on the roof to signal they were ready to leave.
“Kit said you would be willing to come to one of the performances?” she asked hopefully.
Darius chuckled. “Yes, we are all coming. He’s rather proud of your work, you know.”
“Is he?” She knew she was fishing for compliments, but she couldn’t help it.
“Most proud,” Darius assured her. “He’s thinking about asking the king to commission you for a portrait.”
“What?” she gasped. “Theking?”
“Yes.” Darius grinned. “Theking.”
“Oh heavens... oh Lord...” She closed her eyes, suddenly dizzy at the thought of even being in the same room as the king.
