Page 34 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
A sudden bang behind her made her flinch. Her hand flew to her chest, and her heart galloped madly.
“It’s all right.” A warm palm settled on her thigh and gripped it tight enough to reassure her. “Probably just a chair falling over or someone who had too much to drink tripping over their own feet.”
Kate’s gaze locked on the masculine hand that rested over her skirt. Blackwell stiffened, as if only just realizing what an intimate gesture it was. He snatched his hand away, but it was too late. Kate had already realized a stunning truth: She’d liked his touch.
Even through the layers of her skirt, the heat from his hand had reached her, and it settled something inside her. It felt like being wrapped in a hug from a friend, but more. There was a spark there that she’d never experienced with any friend.
By the time the performance ended, she’d completely lost track of the plot. They waited for most of the audience to disperse before venturing out of the box.
Blackwell linked his arm with hers and was the perfect gentleman as he walked her down the stairs, past the stragglers, and handed her into his carriage. Yet despite his good behavior, something hot and exciting fizzed low in her gut.
That must mean he wasn’t responsible for his wife’s death, mustn’t it? Her instincts had somehow decided that it was safe to be attracted to him, and surely that wouldn’t have happened if he were evil.
Unless, of course, she was one of those foolish young ladies who believed they could reform someone unredeemable.
A sobering thought.
Blackwell drove them back to Longley House and escorted them to the door.
“May I call on you tomorrow?” he asked.
She squinted at him in the dark, unable to tell whether he genuinely wanted to spend more time with her or if this was simply part of his restitution efforts.
“There’s a musicale at the Harrods’ residence tomorrow afternoon,” Lady Drake said, thankfully taking the lead because Kate wasn’t certain how to respond. “Perhaps you could attend with us?”
Blackwell bowed. “It would be my honor. Good evening, my ladies.”
As he turned and stalked away, Kate watched him go, her emotions conflicted. He was an intriguing man, but even as she spent more time with him, she became no surer of his character.
He would want an answer soon, and she didn’t have one for him.
CHAPTER 11
Nicholas handedTheo two small wads of cotton. “Use these to stuff in your ears.”
Theo frowned, confused. “For what purpose?”
Nicholas looked at him as if he were stupid. “To protect them. Some young ladies play their instruments like a dream, but others wield them more like torture devices. They like to see how loudly they can make them scream. Trust me, you need to be prepared.”
Theo put the cotton in his pocket and patted it to make sure they weren’t visible. “It can’t be polite to stuff your ears.”
“The things they do to those instruments aren’t polite,” Nicholas muttered. “You can choose whether to be polite or to have an aching head. It’s entirely up to you.”
Considering himself duly warned, Theo thanked him and made his way slowly down the front steps to his carriage. Part of him was amazed that he and Lady Katherine were still going through this strange courtship, but another part of him, one that he’d prefer to keep buried, rather liked her company.
That wasn’t the positive thing it might seem because while he didn’t want to condemn any woman to a life of misery at hisside, he especially wanted more for the women he admired and respected.
Never mind. Until Lady Katherine decided one way or another, he was at her beck and call. He had no intention of ruining her—unless she decided that was the preferred course of action.
He collected Lady Katherine and Lady Drake from Longley House and instructed the driver to take them to the Harrods’ residence.
“I understand this is an informal musicale in which anyone may participate,” he said as they bumped along the street. “Will you play, Lady Katherine?”
Lady Katherine smiled, showing a glimpse of the straight white teeth that were usually hidden by delicate pink lips. “I’ve been practicing a piano piece for the event.”
“Do you enjoy music?” It had seemed as if she had enjoyed the opera, but listening and playing were two very different things.
She waggled her hand back and forward. “I find music beautiful, and I enjoy listening to those who are more talented than myself. I am a passable musician, which means Mother volunteers me for events such as this, but I’m more adept at art than music.”
