My Lord, Lady, and Gentleman by Nicola Davidson

Author:Nicola Davidson [Davidson, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nicola Davidson
Published: 2018-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

The Theater Royal in Drury Lane was one of her favorite places in London. But tonight’s visit to watch the great Edmund Kean himself was even more special, for it wasn’t just Joseph that accompanied her, but Clayton as well.

Susanna paused on the staircase and allowed herself a moment to take in the elegant, spacious splendor. Impossibly high carved ceiling, an enormous stage, orchestra pit, and four levels of generous-sized boxes arranged in a semi-circle, so all had an excellent view. Each box was separated by a stone column, and from each column hung a small chandelier, ensuring the place was remarkably well lit. The less expensive seats were directly in front of the stage, and even now she could hear the raucous sounds of hundreds of men and women talking and laughing as they waited for the play to begin.

Joseph patted her gloved hand where it rested on his sleeve. “Quite a place, isn’t it?”

She grinned. “Not bad, I suppose.”

Clayton burst out laughing beside her. “So hard to please, madam! I must say, they did a fine job with the fourth rebuild back in 1812. Imagine losing a theater not once but twice to fire. Management must reach for their hartshorn every time someone lights a lantern. Where are we sitting?”

Closing her eyes briefly, Susanna forced her free hand to remain at her side and not reach up to curl around Clayton’s arm so all three of them were linked as they walked. Just because they had the most heavenly bond in the temporary painting studio, had enjoyed several meals together in the past week, and Clayton had accepted an invitation entirely unrelated to his commission, didn’t necessarily mean he wanted a shared future. She had to remember that. And accept it. No matter how much her heart broke at the thought.

No matter how shockingly natural it felt to be part of a trio rather than a couple.

“Our hired box is on the third floor,” she replied.

“We should probably take our seats,” said Joseph, and they continued up the wide staircase to the private box. It was about three-quarters of the way along the hallway, and the entrance was blocked by a heavy crimson velvet curtain. Her husband held it to one side to allow her and Clayton to pass through, then he followed them inside.

“Lady Fenton! Oh, what a treat to see you here. Come and tell me everything!”

Susanna groaned inwardly at the sight of the statuesque Countess Onslow in the box next to theirs. The lady was a fellow member of the hospital fundraising committee but had yet to contribute a single guinea to the cause. She much preferred to gossip, and was probably responsible for at least ninety percent of London’s inaccurate information flow.

“Good evening, Lady Onslow,” she replied, reluctantly moving to the side of the box so they could speak over the partition.

“Hello, dear, looking divine as usual. Is that Irish lace on your gown? Oh, I must have some. The conversation behind me is ever so dull, do distract me.

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