My Lady Nightingale by Evelyn Richardson

Author:Evelyn Richardson [Richardson, Evelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1999-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Entering the Barford’s box at the opera the next evening, Isobel was grateful that Marthe’s sharp eyes were not there to observe her scanning the other boxes. She told herself that she was looking to see if the Duke and Duchess of Warminster were there or if Lord Christian Hatherleigh was as much a connoisseur of the musical world as he claimed to be, but deep in her heart she knew that she just wanted to see him again. Catching a glint of candlelight on rich auburn hair, she hastily pulled into the sheltering darkness of the Barfords’ box before he could look in her direction.

Although she hated herself for caring at all, Isobel was pleased to see that Lord Christian was quite alone. Then he truly did come to the opera for the music. He had not been deceiving her with false claims. It was not until the wave of relief washed over her at this discovery that Isobel realized how important it was to her to have him be honest with her about such a thing.

However, even as she was observing Lord Christian, a rather military-looking gentleman with a woman on each arm entered the box and claimed his attention.

“There, see, I told you that all the women were mad for Lord Christian Hatherleigh,” Emily hissed at her elbow. “Look at them, both of them flirting with him outrageously. Why the gentleman escorting them might just as well not exist for all the attention they are paying him.”

Christian, however, was more delighted to see the gentleman than the ladies. “Solly, you old dog, when did you get back in town? And how is old Douro now that Boney’s beaten?” He greeted one of Wellington’s former aides-de-camp enthusiastically.

“Now, now,” the pert little brunette on Major Lord Solverton’s right arm wagged a coquettish finger at Christian. “The war is over, there is to be none of that talk. It is time you military gentlemen began to pay attention to the ladies again.”

“Yes,” her companion, a statuesque blonde agreed in a throaty voice. “But after making war against men you may need a great deal of practice learning how to make love to women.” She eyed him hungrily as she licked her full lower lip. “Do let us sit down, Solly. The opera will be so much more interesting from here.” She smiled suggestively at Christian as she sank down on the chair next to him and leaned toward him in such a way as to reveal her décolletage to its fullest extent. “Solverton tells me that all he did during the war was run errands for the generals. What did you do? I am sure it was much more interesting.”

“Though he was better known for his reckless courage and fine horsemanship than for his mental abilities, Lord Solverton was clever enough to perceive that Christian’s eyes kept straying to the stage and the orchestra that was tuning up in the pit. He winked conspiratorially at his friend as he held out his arms to lead his two companions out of the box.

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