Page 13 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
“It is,” Dominic said without a single doubt in his mind.
Tim smiled. “I’ll let you know when I come back from my business trip tomorrow, and you can tell me all about it.”
“Alright,” Dominic shook his hand, then Timothy saw himself out, closing the door behind him.
He really was in no mood for crowds and loud noises. But perhaps there was a possibility of stumbling on to Lady Catherine by accident. That would give him a good opportunity to set Timothy’s plan into motion and start proving to her what he had already told her. And if he managed to catch her brother there, he would try speaking to him as well. The man had to see sense and realize that Dominic was good husband material.
Yes,he mused as he headed back to his chair.Everything is going exactly according to plan.
***
The evening of the play had arrived fast. Too fast, in Dominic’s opinion. But he got ready quickly, choosing his finest attire, as he wanted to leave the best of impressions. Once he was satisfied with his reflection in the looking glass, he headed towards the theatre.
As soon as he got there, he regretted it. The lobby buzzed with anticipation as elegantly dressed lords and ladies mingled beneath the soft glow of chandeliers. The air was filled with the mingling of different perfumes, and Dominic could barely breathe. It was all too much. For a moment, he considered going back home, but at that moment, he spotted Lord Stanhope.
There he was, entering the opulent auditorium, looking for his assigned seat. Dominic rushed after him in search of his own. Lord Stanhope sat down on a plush velvet chair adorned with golden accents. Dominic’s would be the same, only with a different number. Only, he still didn’t find it. He was too focused on Lord Stanhope in an effort to see if his sister would be joining him.
People kept passing him by, as Dominic finally decided to take his seat, fortunate enough to have a clear view of Lord Stanhope. The theatre was a spectacle in itself, with richly adorned walls, intricate moldings and the warmth of polished wood. Aroundhim, the murmurs of the audience heightened, creating a symphony of excitement.
Only, his excitement had little to do with the people around him. Slowly but surely, he was starting to realize that the only person he was interested in was not in attendance. Silently, Dominic decided to wait for the end of the performance, catching up to Lord Stanhope and speaking to him about his sister, explaining the situation. He was certain that they would see eye to eye.
The curtain rose, and a hush fell over the audience. The scene unfolded in a quaint drawing room, and the characters spilled out onto the stage, bringing their characters to life with a depth of emotion and skillful delivery. The dialogue resonated with wit, charm, and the poignant nuances of human relationships.
If Dominic had not been fully invested in his plan of courting Lady Catherine, he might have actually enjoyed it, just like the rest of the theatregoers did. As the plot thickened, the reactions of the audience around him became palpable. There were collective gasps, hearty laughter and even the occasional sigh echoing throughout the theatre.
As the final act reached its crescendo and the curtain fell, Dominic couldn’t wait to speak to Lady Catherine’s brother. He believed that, like everyone else, he would leave through the lobby and head outside, perhaps on his way to White’s or some other establishment of the sort.
Dominic would, seemingly by accident, stumble onto him and suggest sharing a drink together. It being considered impolite to refuse, Lord Stanhope would spend at least an hour in Dominic’s company, which would be more than enough time for him to present his case and win over an ally. It all sounded perfect.
However, much to his surprise, Lord Stanhope did not head towards the lobby, but rather in the exact opposite direction. Dominic watched curiously as his target discreetly slipped into the dimly lit corridor leading backstage. Without a second thought, Dominic followed.
The backstage area, usually bustling with activity during the play, was now devoid of any presence, illuminated by the soft glow of overhead lights. Dominic made sure not to lose Lord Stanhope from sight as he maneuvered through the labyrinth of hallways. With every twist and turn, Lord Stanhope seemed to elude him, completely oblivious that someone was following him.
Dominic wondered where on earth the man was going. His confusion only deepened as Lord Stanhope slipped into the shadows, obviously in a rush to get to his destination. Fueled by concern as well as curiosity, Dominic knew that he would not stop now. He couldn’t. He had a relentless desire to unearth the mystery of Lord Stanhope’s final destination.
The journey through the backstage was seemingly endless, as he kept going through narrow passageways and concealed doorways, until finally Lord Stanhope stopped in front of a door.
Dominic could not see the name plate on it clearly, as he was too far away, but he continued to follow the man’s steps. Lord Stanhope looked around, then neared the door and knocked three times, then once again a moment later. Without waiting to be invited in, he opened the door and closed it behind him.
In shock, Dominic stood in the darkness for a while, choosing then to come closer, risking being seen. He read the name plate on the door.Annabel Thompson.
Dominic didn’t recognize the name. However, logic still served him well. If her name was on the door of a theatre, that could mean only one thing. She was an actress. And seeing how casually Lord Stanhope let himself in, it was safe to assume that he was familiar with the lady in question. Very familiar.
Dominic pondered going back to where he came from, but curiosity won over. Why was Lord Stanhope there? Who was Annabel Thompson? Dominic had to know.
Chapter 7
Still hiding in the shadows of the corridor by the door that held the answer to his questions, Dominic listened attentively. He realized that he could only overhear murmurs, so he inhaled deeply, walking all the way up to the door itself. He looked behind him. He was alone, but that did not mean that someone wouldn’t be walking by at any moment.
What are you doing?A little voice inside of him warned.What if you are seen?
This could ruin his reputation. Just the mere thought that he was lingering by the door of an actress, him a duke nonetheless, but he was actually pressing his ear to the door, in an effort to listen in to the conversation taking place inside.
The risks were huge and the repercussions devastating. There would be no way for him to explain himself in the judgmental eyes of the ton. But nothing could tear Dominic away from those doors, not even a hurricane of repercussions leaving him destitute and a pariah.
The soft murmurs reached his ears once again, more audibly this time, drawing him closer to the unfolding intrigue. He could hear a woman’s voice, who he presumed was Annabel Thompson. Her voice was tinged with a surprising blend of tenderness and anticipation. The man’s voice belonged to LordStanhope, of course. Dominic could easily recognize it. His voice also seemed eager, too eager, almost.
“Reggie!” Dominic heard her exclaim, and from the affection that oozed from her voice, he knew that something was happening between them. That much was obvious.
