The Bittersweet Bride by Vanessa Riley

Author:Vanessa Riley
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Entangled, Amara, Regency, romance, historical, historical romance, regency romance, interracial romance, wealthy widow, returned from dead lover, advertising for husband, secret baby, rival families, black, black heroine, woc, mixed, Chinese, multicultural
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Night at the Theater

Theodosia shifted in her seat. The actor’s voice couldn’t drown out the thunder or the memories. She’d paid attention to the horrible story, wondering why Ewan could think this Shakespeare so fine. Fighting, complaining, tricks, and starvation—that felt a little too familiar, too Fitzwilliam.

A boom moaned above. The storm sounded as if it were gaining force, coming for her again. She shivered and pulled her wrap tighter about her arms.

The world around her rumbled. It sounded ghostly, as if it whispered her name. She pivoted in time with the next crash and caught the dark curtains swaying. The storm had to be atop her. Her gaze became glued to the velvet. It shrouded this box as it did the space she had hidden inside at the brothel. Mama told her to be quiet, but how could she, trapped by the storm?

A hand grabbed hers and she almost screamed, but she was too scared. And Mama would be angry.

“Theodosia, are you well?”

The voice wasn’t Mama’s, so Theodosia didn’t move. She wasn’t supposed to, not till she heard the signal. She hated the coal scuttle within the brothel wall and how it made every violent pound of thunder echo.

A gloved hand slipped onto hers, but she couldn’t say anything; she hadn’t heard Mama’s knock. “Theodosia. You don’t look well. Dear?”

The tones, the concern… It sounded like Ester, but why would she be here? Good girls like Ester wouldn’t be in a brothel.

“Theodosia.”

Something shook her by the shoulders, and she tensed. Blinking heavily made the world right. Frederica’s arms were about her.

Disgusted by her fears, she shook free, not wanting to be touched, even by a friend. “I’m not feeling well. I need to go home.”

Ester frowned deeply with her lips pressed tightly. “No. The new actor, the one who’s all the rage. He hasn’t come back out yet.”

Frederica’s fun face seemed blank, but she nodded. “This isn’t any fun for you. I’ll signal a groom, and we’ll get you to your carriage.”

She’d ruined her friend’s evening out. Theodosia’s insides hurt. “Stay. I’ve done enough to disrupt what should be a fun occasion. I’m ashamed…to do this to you two. I wish to make myself invisible.”

Wrinkling her gown, Ester crouched down, pried off a glove, and applied the back of her hand to Theodosia’s forehead. “You don’t have a fever. Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with being frightened.”

“Yes, nothing at all.” The man’s voice, the one that haunted her soul, introduced himself. “I’m Mrs. Cecil’s cousin. I’ll see her home.”

A little damp, with a dark curl plastered to his forehead beneath his beaver-skinned hat, Ewan stepped fully inside. “I’m here for you Th— Mrs. Cecil. I’ll get you safely to your carriage.”

Why? Why was Ewan haunting her outside of Tradenwood and on a stormy night? Theodosia stood up and stared at him. “Not you.”

Gripping her hand and not letting go, Frederica stepped toward Ewan. “This is a private box. You have no business here.”

The grin on his face looked triumphant.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.