The Caress of a Commander by Linda Rae Sande

Author:Linda Rae Sande [Sande, Linda Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Linda Rae Sande

Chapter 26

An Evening at the Theatre, Part Two

Stephen leaned over toward his father. “Thank you for arranging the introduction to Lord Chamberlain,” he whispered.

William regarded his son a moment. “That’s what fathers are for,” he murmured. “And when we get back to the house, I expect you’ll be required to explain how you know this young lady,” he warned with a hint of amusement.

Giving his father a nod, Stephen resettled himself in his seat behind Victoria and tried to concentrate on the play. He found it was no surprise Antonio couldn’t pay back the loan, but found Shylock’s reaction rather barbaric. Just because his daughter had married a Christian and taken most of the moneylender’s money, and probably because Antonio had been rather rash with his antisemitism, Shylock was determined to get his pound of flesh. Stephen figured that since Bassanio and Portia had married and were off to Venice to repay the loan, Shylock would be more than satisfied with twice the loan amount. Stunned that Shylock insisted on taking Antonio to court to claim his pound of flesh, Stephen rolled his eyes. Shylock had obviously never been to war, had never seen a mortal wound, or he wouldn’t be so quick to demand the pound of flesh.

Stephen’s mind wandered a bit, wondering if Will had found Barbara and then wondering if Victoria had come to the theatre with a chaperone. If she hadn’t, he would have to insist on seeing her home, although he had no idea where that might be. After what she had said at the ball, it was possible she was staying in Cheapside. Or the Seven Dials!

Damnable woman!

First she crashes a ball and then gets me in the garden for a round of kissing... He had to shake his head in an attempt to clear the memory, for his body had already reacted to his thoughts of her kisses, of how her body had been pressed against the front of his, of how her fingers clutched his shoulders as his arms held her upright. She had tasted of champagne and smelled like lemon and honeysuckle. Or maybe they had merely been standing near a honeysuckle bush. He didn’t know nor did he care just then. The entire episode had been so intense, he had barely been able to stand up for the duration of it let alone keep his wits about him.

Perhaps it would be better if he didn’t offer her an escort to wherever she was staying, he decided. What if she wished to renew what they had started in the gardens? He would deflect her advances, of course. Insist she keep her hands off of him. Deny they had shared anything more than chaste conversation during the ball. None of that had been his fault, he reasoned. Victoria had been rather fast when he gave it some more thought. A wanton. Why, he shouldn’t even be seen in her company!

When his attention was once again back on the play, he listened closely as a doctor of the law espoused the importance of mercy.

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.