His Lordship's Chaperone by Shirley Marks

Author:Shirley Marks [Marks, Shirley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Sitting in the theater box that night, Haverton felt the veritable fool when he finally remembered his fear regarding Mrs. Hayes watching him the night before at Dibblees’. Mrs. Hayes sat inconspicuously to his left, a row back. She was far more interested in the musical performances than she was in him, proving to Haverton that any notice she had taken in him had been imaginary.

This performance began with a violin virtuoso, Leonardo Benenati, who played to a full house. During the final interval the theater attendance grew for the much anticipated finale of the heralded Italian musician, Signore Giuseppe Genualdi, playing selected compositions of Herr Beethoven.

A footman entered the box and handed Haverton a slip of parchment. He unfolded the note.

Please come by and pay your respects. Celeste.

The Marquess looked from the note to the theater boxes across the way. Celeste was here, sitting four boxes to the left. And he would, as she had requested, pay his respects. He owed her that much. Their parting had been amicable, there was no reason to be uncivil now. He would gladly call on her as she asked.

Minutes later, Haverton stepped through the heavy drapes in Celeste’s box. “Mrs. Cummings-Albright.” He reached out to her.

Celeste closed her fingers over his hand and pulled him near. “Let’s dispense with the formalities, shall we?” A sparkle glinted in her eyes and a half-smile transformed her lovely face into a warm and inviting one. “What a dear you are to come by to see me.”

Haverton remembered just how inviting she could be. “How have you been, Celeste?”

“Not as well as if you kept my company,” she whispered, leaning forward, pressing her jasmine-scented cheek to his. “But I see you have not been alone for long. Who is she?” Celeste tilted her head, indicating his box. More to the point, the solitary female occupying his box.

“The only woman in my life at the moment is my chaperone and she shouldn’t cause anyone to be jealous.”

“I am not jealous, pet. Just concerned,” Celeste replied in a lilting coo. “You know how I worry about you.”

Haverton’s visit lasted only a few minutes. Long enough for a polite call and not long enough for him to get into trouble. Stepping into his own box, he remarked to his dutiful chaperone, “You see, I have returned quite safely.”

Mrs. Hayes had been reluctant to let him venture out of her sight alone. He could see the amused look in her eyes when she smiled and nodded in return. The lights dimmed and the Marquess took his seat.

Grandmaster Signore Genualdi stepped onto the stage to thunderous applause. Adorned in evening attire with his long, dark hair bound at the back of his neck, he took a seat at the piano and began to play.

That’s when Haverton’s mind began to wander. Losing focus on the music, he wondered why he had bothered to attend at all. He had no interest in instrumental music. Why ever did he agree to attend?

The sight of Mrs.

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