Page 10 of Wicked Is the Duke
Henry's lips curled up just as the carriage slowed to a stop. Anna tried not to stare but found it was nearly impossible. He was perfect. "I believe we've arrived."
She wondered if she misspoke in telling him about her riding skills and her thoughts on sidesaddles. If he did, he wasn't saying. Henry seemed intrigued by her confession.
Henry stepped down from the carriage and extended his hand to her. Accepting, she descended to the ground. He tucked her gloved hand in the crook of his arm, and they proceeded toward the crowd that was gathering at the theater's entrance.
Anna scanned the throng of people and saw several she knew. Married women out for a night in society, dressed in elegant gowns. Anna smiled to herself, knowing what she wore was more up to date than most of the tons. Her modiste in Paris regularly sent her fashion plates of what was all the rage.
She smiled as Henry led her up the stairs to his box. Anna noticed he would nod in recognition to curious onlookers as they passed. He had yet to introduce her to anyone, but with the crush around them, Anna quickly surmised it would be almost impossible to carry on a conversation.
A footman opened the door to the private box as they approached. Trying to allow her eyes to focus to the dimly lit room, she noted a table filled with food. Champagne and lemonade were also available. Mildred had quietly slipped into a chair in the corner as Henry led her to a chair at the front of the box. All around them people were chatting among themselves as they scanned the private boxes in hopes of catching a glimpse of the occupants.
"Champagne?" Henry asked as he stood to one side of her.
She nodded. "Yes, please."
A footman appeared with a silver tray holding two glasses. Henry handed her one before taking the other glass. Anna took a small sip, the bubbles tickling her nose and throat. She glanced up and noted Henry smiling at her from the rim of his glass.
He sat down next to her. Anna felt his warmth and the strength he possessed. He was close enough she caught a whiff of wintergreen. Usually, she didn't pick up on a man's soap or cologne, but Henry was different. There seemed to be nothing about him that didn't catch her senses.
She placed her glass on a table beside her seat and accepted a pair of opera glasses from him. They were elegant, covered in mother-of-pearl.
"In case you wish to have a better look at the stage," he said.
Anna smiled, grateful for his thoughtfulness. "Or to see who is watching us?" she mused.
"That, too. As I don't attend on a regular basis, I'm sure every glass is focused on us."
She lifted the glasses to her eyes and carefully focused her sight on the stage, peeling back to note who was watching them. The duke was right; everyone was staring.
"Oh my, how interesting," she said as she scanned the room.
He arched a brow. "What?"
"Across from us. Lady Caroline and her mother haven't taken their eyes off us." She groaned. "The earl of Carlisle is here."
"Where? He no longer keeps a box here," Henry muttered.
"He must be a guest of the Montgomery's."
"Be prepared for visitors during intermission," Henry said darkly.
"Surely they wouldn't."
Henry finished his champagne and signaled to a footman. "Oh, yes, they would. Curiosity, you know."
She giggled. "Maybe we should fool them all and leave before they arrive."
"I like the way you think, Miss Grover."
She gazed at him. "Please, Your Grace, call me Anna." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted her forwardness.
He smiled gently. "I would be honored, but only if you call me Henry. In private, of course."
"Of course. Henry."
"Your brother wasn't seriously going to match you with Carlisle, was he?"
"Robert wishes me married and sometimes feels I'm being far too difficult."
