Scandal of Love (8 page)

She appreciated that. She liked knowing that she could speak her mind and that he wouldn’t reprimand her for doing so. It gave her a feeling of freedom to be able to speak her mind to him, even if it was only in private.

He wanted to escort her to the opera tomorrow night? It was thoughtful of him to include Aubrey and her father.

Picking up the letter, she went in search of her father to extend the invitation.

Finding him in his study, she entered after knocking. “I am sorry to disrupt you, but I have just received a letter from Lord Devericks. He wishes to escort me to the opera tomorrow and has included you and Lady Aubrey in the invitation as well.”

Her father let out a short laugh. “It was thoughtful of him indeed, but when was the last time you saw me at the opera?”

A smile cracked her face. “Never, but I still wanted to pass the invitation along.”

“It is much appreciated, but I will not be going with you. Whom will you have as your chaperone? Lady Aubrey’s mother perhaps?”

 
Sera shook her head. “Both of her parents have returned to the country for two weeks. She is staying with her aunt for the next few weeks and I thought she could accompany us. I seem to recall her liking opera.”

Taking her father’s nod as an agreement, she left him alone to his work. She had a letter to write to Quinton.

The time seemed to fly by from when she received the letter to when she needed to get ready.
 

“Lydia, what do you think? The rose or the teal for this evening?” Sera asked, holding up both dresses in front of her.

“The teal, miss. It compliments your eyes. I could also fetch a matching ribbon and weave it in your hair with pink rosebuds,” her maid offered.

A smile spread on Sera’s lips. “Perfect! What would I do without you?”

Lydia smiled at her mistress’ praise. “I’ll go fetch those things.”

Sera stepped into the smooth, cool material, raising it up her arms. While she couldn’t secure all the buttons up her back, she made quick work of what she could.

She was a bit pale from the strain of the last few days, but the teal only made her skin look creamy. The white tea lace around the neckline and sleeves made the dress look more dreamy, more romantic. The rosebuds would help with that image.

She heard Lydia enter the room again. “Would you mind buttoning me up, Lydia? I can’t reach the top few buttons.”

Rich, feminine laughter flowed into the room. “While I may not be your lady’s maid, I’m more than happy to help you.”

“Aubrey! Please tell me you’re early and that I’m not late. Lydia still needs to dress my hair.”

“Don’t worry. I got ready a bit early so that we could spend time together before Lord Devericks arrives.”

“Where’s your aunt?”

“In the library reading. Although, I’m sure she’s poking around your father’s beverages. She has an affinity for brandy and seems to drink it at all hours of the day,” Aubrey said, securing the last few buttons on Sera’s dress with a laugh.

Sera chuckled at that. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had snuck a drink or two from her father’s stash.

“Are you nervous about tonight?”

Sera shook her head. “Not really.” Pausing, she considered telling Aubrey about her confrontation with Quinton, but decided against it. There really wasn’t a point.

“Do you still think he was the one that started the rumor?” Aubrey pushed.

“I’m not certain. I don’t know what to think. He doesn’t seem like he would do something so underhanded, but I don’t really know him. And he had the most to gain. If it was not him, I’m not sure who else it would be,” she answered honestly.

Aubrey’s eyebrows narrowed, concentrating on the problem. “There has to be someone else. I don’t want to believe that Lord Devericks is capable of something so despicable.”

“Well, if you come up with an alternative, please share. I would like to be able to think my future husband a good man.”

 
“I think he is, Sera.”

Sera nodded. “Well, hopefully we will find out soon, and not have to wonder the rest of our lives.”

Lydia came in, bringing the roses and ribbon to Sera for inspection before arranging her golden curls on top of her head. Twenty minutes later she was dressed, ready to see Quinton.

“Lord Devericks’ carriage just arrived,” Aubrey said, still looking out the window.

Tugging on her left glove, Sera smiled. “Perfect timing. Let’s go meet him downstairs.”

Nodding, Aubrey smoothing the wrinkles in her lavender silk dress. Her dark gold hair had been plaited, secured by tiny pearl pins that seemed to glow in the candlelight.

A knock sounded at the front door as they entered the main parlor. Quinton’s deep voice filtered into the room as he announced himself to the butler.

Butterflies began to dance in her stomach. Their last meeting hadn’t been the most friendly, and she wasn’t certain how he would behave after their confrontation. Things had ended friendly, but she didn’t know if he would hold her opinions against her, be offended that she couldn’t trust him completely.

Quinton walked into the room in evening attire, causing her heart to thud loudly. He looked every inch an earl in his inky evening coat and snowy white neckcloth. The smell of his heavily starched cravat mixed with his spicy soap caused her to take a deep breath of the masculine scent once it reached her.

It wasn’t anything different from what she had smelled from her father her whole life, but with Quinton’s unique scent mingled in the mix it was a powerful combination.

“Good evening to you both,” Quinton bowed slightly in greeting.

Sera and Aubrey both curtsied in return, smiling.

“Thank you for including me in your invitation, my lord,” Aubrey said.

Quinton smiled at her. “The pleasure is all mine. I am happy that you and your aunt will be accompanying us. I must say, I am surprised you are both so prompt. It has been my belief that all ladies are to keep gentlemen waiting at least fifteen minutes.”

Sera smiled while Aubrey chuckled. “I see no reason why we should keep you waiting. It is a game most women play to make the men feel like they need to work for the lady’s attention,” Sera said. “Since we are already engaged, I felt there was little reason for the impoliteness.”

He grinned. “I appreciate it. Shall we collect Lady Aubrey’s aunt and be on our way then?”

“Yes, I will go fetch her,” Aubrey offered, leaving the room to retrieve her aunt.

It was silent for a moment as the two looked at each other. Tension seemed to radiate between them. Was he feeling awkward from their previous conversation?

“You look very well this evening,” he said, a glint of appreciation in his eye as he took in her attire.

His compliment threw her off a bit. “Thank you. You look handsome as well.”

“So, I shall not embarrass you then?” he asked, teasing her.

Another smile crept to her lips. “Not at all. In fact, I fear many ladies will have a hard time looking away from you.” And it was true. She herself was having a hard time pulling her eyes away from him. His black hair had been combed back loosely, leaving a slight wave. His green eyes twinkled against his white shirt, looking like the clearest emeralds she had ever seen. His pants were tight, tucked into shiny black boots that reflected the candlelight.

“A compliment?” he asked in mock surprise. “And here I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”

“Of course not. If that were the case, we would not be getting married.”

“True.” His voice had dimmed as Aubrey’s and her aunt’s steps filled the hallway. “Looks like it’s time to go. Shall we?” He offered his arm.

Sera nodded, gearing up for the next show they would be putting on for society. She wondered how long she would need to pretend to be in love with him before she could relax. She slid her arm through his before he led her out to meet the other two women.

It wasn’t the first time they had touched, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. But there was something that happened when she touched him. Her skin seemed to heat up, her temperature rose. There was no rhyme or reason to it, it just happened.

“Is everything all right?” he whispered.

She shivered as his breath caressed her ear. “Yes. Just thinking.”

“Anything you would like to share?”

She shook her head. She didn’t want to tell him what she had been thinking. He would think her a silly female, and she didn’t want to be thought of as silly. How he made her feel, the effect he seemed to have on her when they touched, would fade soon. It had to be a side effect of their engagement. He was going to be her husband. Of course he would affect her.

It wouldn’t last though. It couldn’t. They weren’t in love and everything else faded in time.

The carriage ride to the opera house was swift all things considered. The roads were surprisingly clear for this time of night, allowing them to make it there in good time.

As their carriage rolled to a stop, they noticed a crowd gathered in the theatre’s entrance. Everyone must have experienced the same lack of traffic, because while they were early, they had still arrived after everyone else.

“Are we ready?” he asked the three women in the carriage.

Sera and Aubrey both nodded as they looked to their chaperone, then began laughing. Lady Trumbridge had fallen asleep during the ride, her mouth lolling open.

“You’d best wake her,” Quinton said, trying to hide his grin. “It wouldn’t do to have your chaperone sleeping.”

They all chuckled while Aubrey poked her aunt to wake her.

“What? Are we there?” Lady Trumbridge asked, looking between the other three passengers. “I wasn’t asleep. I was just resting my eyes.”

“Of course, Aunt.” Aubrey smiled. “Yes, we’ve arrived.”

“Excellent.” The older woman paused, looking at Quinton. “Well are we going to sit here all evening or are we going to go see the opera?”

“My apologies, my lady.” He dipped his head in a bow, effectively hiding his grin from Lady Trumbridge but not from Sera or Aubrey. “Let us be off.”

CHAPTER 5

Quinton exited the carriage first, extending his hand to help each lady out of the carriage. Offering his arm to Sera again, he smiled when she hesitated taking it.

Could she possibly feel the same connection between them that he did? He couldn’t describe it, but it was a stronger bond than he had ever felt with anyone else. She may not like him, may not trust him, but she couldn’t deny the connection between them.

He escorted them to their box, a private balcony off stage right that gave them a perfect view of the stage as well as the rest of the theatre. In turn, it would also give everyone a good view of them.

Quinton knew they were still on display, and that they had to prove that they were in love to completely stamp out any further gossip. He didn’t care. He wanted to cement it in everyone’s minds that Lady Sera was his.

He may not have wanted to take a bride based on her dowry, but he couldn’t be upset by the turn of events. Sera was more than he could have ever hoped for.

Ushers snuffed out some of the lamps, signaling the audience to take their seats. At once, the sound in the auditorium quieted, the spectators lowering into the cushioned chairs.