my lord.” His grin widened. “If you was moved to give me a cheer at the end, I wouldn’t say no.”
The earl laughed. “Certainly.”
“I should get back to work,” said Teresa, rising.
“You’ll be coming to see me as well, won’t you, señora?” asked Tom.
She hadn’t considered the matter, but she realized that she’d like to.
“I reckon his lordship will be hiring a box at the theater,” the lad added.
Lord Macklin gave him a sidelong glance—surprised or amused, Teresa couldn’t tell. “I’ve engaged one for the first night of the play, in fact,” the earl replied.
“There you are then.” Tom looked pleased. “You should join him, señora. You wouldn’t want to go alone. And you can’t mill about with the rabble in the pit.” He said this as if the idea was a rare joke. “It’s all elbows and spitting down there.”
And indignities for any woman who dared the space, Teresa thought, but she couldn’t insert herself into the earl’s party. “I can stand backstage and watch,” she said. She was known at the theater. Surely this would be allowed.
“You’d see my back, mostly, from there,” Tom objected. “You won’t get the full effect.”
“I’d be pleased if you’d join us,” said the earl.
“That’s the ticket,” said Tom.
They looked at her. Teresa began to feel that she was the target of some sort of conspiracy, even though it was clear that the two hadn’t discussed this idea in advance. Who was the us Lord Macklin had referred to?
“I’ve arranged an unexceptionable party,” he said, as if reading her thoughts.
Teresa gazed at him. He must know, from the place where he found her, that she was not unexceptionable. Who was this group that could include her? How did he intend to explain her presence?
“The young ladies we met in the autumn will be there,” the earl told Tom.
“Oh, good.” The lad turned back to Teresa. “You’ll like them,” he added. “And they’ll take to you, I wager.” Tom turned back. “Miss Julia Grandison too? Chaperoning, like?”
The earl nodded.
“Ah. Well.”
Teresa couldn’t interpret Tom’s expression. Was this Miss Julia a hazard? Was she important to the earl?
They exchanged a smile that explained nothing to Teresa and then went on to discuss details as if all was settled. They spoke as if her preferences mattered, as if she was the one to be considered when making arrangements. It was a novel, and admittedly pleasant, experience.
And so, although she’d intended to refuse the invitation, somehow, by the end, she’d promised to attend the theater as part of the Earl of Macklin’s party. She told herself she could send regrets later, when he wasn’t right here before her, compelling and persuasive, with Tom egging him on, but she knew she wasn’t going to do that. Her mind had already turned to the gown she might wear and the ornaments that best set it off.
Four
It had felt as complicated as marshaling a small army, Arthur thought, but he had managed the thing. Señora Alvarez was at the play in his company. Though that was mostly due to Tom, he acknowledged. The lad had pushed the scheme before Arthur could open his mouth. An unexpected but welcome boost.
His party filled the large box he’d engaged for the performance nearly to overflowing. He’d placed the four young ladies across the front with the young Duke of Compton. Newcomers to town, they were all eager to see their first play. Their chaperone, Miss Julia Grandison, was behind them at the far end. And he and Señora Alvarez occupied the dimmest corner at the back of the box, close together, publicly private.
She wore a soberly elegant gown of dark blue, as if to fade into the shadows. A lace mantilla held in place by an ornate comb hid her face when she bent her head. She could hardly have done more to obscure her beauty. Arthur knew it was there, however, and he rather liked the idea that it was a secret they shared. At last he had a bit of time to become better acquainted with her. Some people said he possessed charm. He hoped Señora Alvarez might agree by the end of this night.
The young ladies did occasionally shoot inquiring looks in their direction, obviously curious about the foreign lady in their midst. Arthur felt a flash of uneasiness, as if he was awaiting an examination in a subject he barely understood.
Which was ridiculous. He pushed the idea aside. He knew how to make light conversation and pay a graceful compliment.