Noblesse Oblige by Lynne Connolly

Author:Lynne Connolly
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3
Tags: Historical
Published: 2011-03-05T13:00:00+00:00

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After dinner—perfumed, coiffured, and tricked out in a honey-coloured gown embroidered with tiny posies—the Duchess of Rydale made her first public appearance.

Jerome had hired a box close to the stage, and before the performance began, he exchanged nods with one or two people in the audience. At the first interval, cool white wine was served to them and a flurry of visitors, admirably controlled by the footman called Foster who was stationed at the door to the box. Everybody, it seemed, wished to meet the new duchess.

Jerome was determined to keep the evening quiet and peaceful for her. He'd planned this visit as a way for Marianne to be seen but not forced to socialise relentlessly. Now York at least knew about the new Duchess of Rydale, so London would know too in a couple of days. He could tell Marianne was trying to be nothing but herself, and she succeeded in winning a warm smile when the performance recommenced.

"I told you you'd make a wonderful duchess,” he commented.

She reached for his hand under the cover of the edge of the box, warming his heart. Did she know how much she meant to him? Jerome rather doubted it.

The play was a comedy, light and frothy. Regardless of what Marianne had said, Jerome knew how much the events of the afternoon had shaken her. During the second interval, they walked outside and exchanged brief pleasantries with the people who had been unable to pay their compliments at the first interval. Jerome wouldn't allow anyone to get to close to her and depressed pretension with an icy stare.

After the theatre, he took his wife back to the hotel and made love to her thoroughly, leaving no room for any discussion.

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