How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,86

for a second remembering the spouted poetry between them. She couldn’t believe that he had gone through so much trouble to make such a memorable night for her.

Entering the grand foyer, Bridget’s eyes darted from one thing to the next. She had heard descriptions of the theatre and various plays performed there from her classmates at school, but never thought she would actually be so privileged to attend one.

They turned away from the small crowd that was slowly milling towards the stalls. Instead, they ascended a grand staircase where footman waited at the top to direct them to the correct box.

They had nearly made it to their designated spot when they were intercepted by a voice carrying loudly down the hall.

“Your Grace, is that not Lord John just there? I am sure I would recognise that figure and walk anywhere.”

“Of course, it is not. Who would my son have cause to go to the theatre with as he has been far too busy with that business endeavour of his,” the dowager duchess’s voice rose to a panicked squeak.

Bridget recognised the voices the instant they spoke and instead hoped that she and Lord John could just pass the curtains and take their seats without noticing the boisterous conversation. She suspected Lord John felt the same as he too hesitated for a few seconds before turning to address the two ladies behind them.

“My goodness,” his mother gasped.

A white-gloved hand flew to her slightly large and overly exposed chest as if an apparition stood before her. Quickly she began to fan herself with a black lace fan attached to her free arm’s wrist.

“Good evening, Mother, Lady Temperance. I believe you both remember Miss Thatcher?”

Bridget did her best to hold her head up high as both ladies looked her up and down. She was beginning to be annoyed that in all of London, she continuously ran into these two. She would have liked to ask them if they spent every waking moment with each other as one never seemed to be without the other.

In an instant, she began to panic. She never considered Lord John’s invitation to be so public. There was still the very real chance that her blackmailer would see her sitting high up in an exquisite box seat of the Theatre Royal next to the very man she was told to distance herself from.

She still had time left before the threats were said to be carried out in the note, but who was to say that the accuser wouldn’t play his cards in seeing that she wasn’t taking him seriously.

“John, what are you thinking?” the dowager hissed.

She darted her eyes between Lord John and Bridget as if she didn’t think a simpleton like a governess would understand what she was implying.

“I think it was a hectic and a long week for both myself and Miss Thatcher. I didn’t think it was uncommon to treat oneself to some thespian entertainment in such a situation. So, naturally, we are here to enjoy the play.”

“What a strange notion,” Lady Temperance’s stone face said coolly. “I would have never thought that a servant needs a reward for doing their job, I daresay payment would be reward enough in my eyes. But you are such a forward-thinking man, Lord John. I expect you have many fascinating opinions such as this.”

It may have been a compliment, but it also put Bridget in her place. She knew she had no reason to be at the theatre, let alone about to enter a prestigious box.

“I am sure we have room enough in the duke’s box,” Lady Temperance continued towards the duchess. “Let us not invite them to join us?”

“We already have our seats, but thank you,” Lord John replied politely.

“Yes, but the royal family alone has a view better than the duke. I am sure if your governess is fond of the theatre, it will suit her better to join us.”

“Yes, I am sure an accommodation can be made for a back row of seats for her to view it from,” the older lady finished.

“And that way, we can get better acquainted,” Lady Temperance finished. “I have seen so little of you this season, and you barely paid me any attention at your ball,” she finished fluttering her eyes.

Bridget expected such tactics had worked for her on countless occasions. In fact, she felt that there would be no way out of this trap other than agreeing with the ladies. It would make Lord John seem a rude sort of