A Match of Hearts: A Regency Romance by Gilman Hilary

Author:Gilman, Hilary [Gilman, Hilary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pleasant Street Publications
Published: 2014-12-09T08:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Zanthe’s first sight of the celebrated Mr Kemble was not encouraging. He was still a fine-looking man but, in spite of the heavy greasepaint he wore, it was obvious that he was considerably older than the actress portraying his mother, while his self-conscious and studied delivery had the effect of rendering her extremely sleepy. Her attention wandered, and she amused herself with studying the other members of the audience.

The play was very well attended. She soon picked out many of her acquaintance: Mrs Weatherspoon and her three daughters sat in a box with Lord and Lady Kilmarnock, Mrs Preston, and Miss Tarleton, all of whom were gazing rapt upon the stage, with the exception of Lord Kilmarnock, who was enjoying a comfortable nap. She stifled a giggle as a loud snore escaped him during one of the great actor’s interminable pauses.

In another box, there sat an elegant party comprising Mr Fallowfield and a middle-aged couple unknown to Zanthe. The lady was not handsome but extremely graceful and exquisitely dressed. The other gentleman seemed vaguely familiar to Zanthe, but she could not tell why until he leaned across the box to speak to Mr Fallowfield and she was struck by the resemblance between the two men. Was this another member of the Fallowfield family? Even as the thought crossed her mind, the unknown gentleman cast a keen glance in the direction of the Brookenby box. He stared for a moment at Susanna, who was sitting between Margery and Miss Cholmondeley, stifling a yawn with one mitten-covered palm, and then he bent to murmur in the lady’s ear. She lifted her lorgnette and seemed to study the girl for a moment before letting it fall, with a sigh, as though it were too heavy for her.

It came, therefore, as no surprise to Zanthe when, as soon as the curtain closed upon the first part of the performance, the three rose as one from their seats and left their box. Presently, a knock fell upon the door of Mr Cholmondeley’s box, and Mr Fallowfield and his friends entered.

‘I beg you will forgive this intrusion.’ Mr Fallowfield bowed over Zanthe’s hand. ‘May I present my cousins Lord and Lady Fallowfield, who are most anxious to make the acquaintance of your young charge?’

Mr Cholmondeley stood and held out a hand to assist Margery to rise. ‘You will wish to be alone. Come, Miss Brookenby, let us go in search of refreshment and leave these good people to talk in comfort.’

There was a silence for a moment after their departure. Then Lord Fallowfield, who had not taken his eyes from Susanna’s face, said, ‘I came prepared to denounce an imposter, yet now I find myself looking into my brother’s eyes.’ He cleared his throat and dashed a hand across his eyes. ‘My dear, dear child.’

His lady laid a hand upon his arm. ‘Very true, my dear Sir, a pronounced resemblance. Remember, however, that it is perfectly possible that this young person is indeed Richard’s daughter and yet still not entitled to style herself a Fallowfield of Trenton Hall.

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