Page 59 of In a Rake's Embrace
Elizabeth’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Yes, Mr. Brandon Armstrong.”
Agatha blinked, surprised. “Oh,” she murmured, smiling. “You share the same beautiful smile and eyes.”
“Ah, I am easily won by flattery,” Elizabeth drawled, her smile widening. “Now, won’t you join us in our box? Please call me Bette!”
Agatha hesitated for a moment. “You do know I am fromAphrodite?”
Basil let out a chuckle. “Not everyone in thetonis inclined to sit with a stick up their arse.”
Elizabeth gasped, swatting him lightly, and Agatha laughed, pressing her gloved hand to her mouth to muffle the sound.
“It would be our honor to have you with us,” Elizabeth insisted, her warmth unwavering.
“Thank you.” Agatha flushed and glanced at Thomas, her emerald gaze gleaming with pleasure.
They ascended the grand staircase and entered the opulent interior.
“It is magnificent,” Agatha said.
The theatre was indeed breathtaking, almost palatial in its grandeur. Gilded chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crimson velvet seats and curtains, the drapes tied back with luxurious gold tassels. Marble columns supported a soaring ceiling painted with scenes of myth and legend, where cherubs seemed to float dreamily across a field of stars. The faint strains of the orchestra tuning their instruments floated in the air, mingling with the scent of polished wood and perfume.
As they entered the duke’s private box, Agatha gasped softly. The box was a sanctuary of elegance, draped in rich crimson fabric, with plush seating that afforded a perfect view of the stage. Below them, the audience filled in, a swirl of gentry and socialites glittering under the chandeliers.
Whispers trailed after them, fans snapped open to hide curious glances, and lorgnettes discreetly focused on Agatha and Thomas.
“Why is everyone staring?” Agatha asked quietly, turning to Thomas.
Thomas’s gaze lingered on her. “Because you are the most beautiful woman here. They cannot look away.”
Elizabeth leaned over with a mischievous grin. “It’s true, Agatha. But they are just as intrigued by Radbourne’s presence here with you. Thetonis not used to him being so … visible in society. They are more than curious.”
Just then, a whisper reached their ears from a nearby box.
“Isn’t that the lady he danced with at Lady Rafferty’s ball? The hair might appear different, but I could never forget such a face or that smile.”
“She must be his mistress,” came another murmur. “And this is the third time he’s been seen with her in public.”
Agatha’s brows drew together, though a glimmer of humor shone in her eyes. “Why do they care who I am? What business is it of theirs?”
Elizabeth leaned closer with a knowing smile. “Ignore them. Mystery suits you beautifully.”
Thomas remained unbothered by the attention, exchanging glances with Basil, who shared an amused smirk. A hush settled over the crowd as the orchestra struck its opening notes, the curtains sweeping back to reveal the stage. Agatha leaned forward, her eyes filled with wonder, captivated by the spectacle before her. Yet Thomas’s gaze lingered on her, absorbing every flicker of excitement that crossed her face. He should have been watching the performance, but his lover commanded his attention.
She is not my lover, he reminded himself, the thought leaving a strange ache within him. But as he watched her, hecouldn’t shake the feeling that she was becomingmore than a fleeting fascination.What am I to do with you, Agatha?
CHAPTER 21
Agatha lay awake, stretching languidly, a delicate yawn escaping her lips. Thomas had only just delivered her home after a midnight stroll in Hyde Park that had somehow stretched into hours. They’d climbed a tree together, laughing at the sheer silliness of their actions, perched on a sturdy branch, sharing stories. The nights had been enchanting, and the days were filled with sights and sounds she’d only imagined in far-off dreams, and a part of her dearly wished it would never end.
Exhausted yet exhilarated, she found herself returning toAphroditeat dawn each day, glowing from the adventures she’d shared with Thomas around town. Just last night, they strolled the sprawling pathways of Vauxhall Gardens. They watched acrobats swing with breathtaking precision across the tightropes, and men balanced on horseback, performing daring feats that had her gasping. The night sky erupted in a cascade of fireworks, casting radiant colors that mirrored the flutter of excitement in her chest. Beside her, Thomas seemed at ease, the sharp edges of his usual reserve softened as he watched her.
This had bemused Agatha. He didn’t seem to find Vauxhall Gardens as diverting and delightful as she did, instead watchingher reactions intently as though he could only feel pleasure through hers. The night before, he’d taken her to yet another society ball, and she danced the waltz with him twice. Many guests’ gazes lingered on her with curiosity and envy. Agatha noticed the whispers intensifying each time she was seen on Thomas’s armand the curious stares and raised brows as people tried to piece together her story.
How appalled they would be if they knew the truth—that her hands had once milked cows, scrubbed pots, and carried baskets of freshly baked bread through town. Agatha and Thomas had also shared a picnic at Hampstead Heath, where the fresh scent of earth and grass mingled with the sweet taste of fresh strawberries and honey cakes. The Royal Museum tour captivated her as she gawked at marble statues and ancient relics, absorbing the knowledge Thomas shared. She felt a pang in her chest, realizing how naturally she could fit into this world if it weren’t for her circumstances.
Even Bea had joined in her amusement, rushing to her chamber yesterday to gleefully present the latest scandal sheet. It hinted that Agatha must be of some noble birth or even royalty, connected as she was to a duke, a marquess, and an earl, though her identity remained shrouded in mystery. Agatha had laughed at the notion, finding it comical that society could elevate her status so easily based on appearances alone, while they’d likely recoil in horror at her true origins.
Yet amid the laughter and delight, a heavy ache settled in her heart. She longed for this life—to live within Thomas’s world. Some of her felt she could belong there, yet she knew it was impossible. It was evident Thomas only saw her as a momentary spark in his otherwise jaded existence. She would eventually fade into the background in his life of luxury and privilege, a novelty that wore thin once her allure was unraveled.
