Page 32 of The Rake and Lady Julia
One, two, three, Julia counted, as she passed the curtains which shielded the boxes occupants from view.
Four.
"My lady."
Lord Montague appeared, followed by a rowdy bunch of young boys, who stared at Julia with awe.
"She's not a lady, she's an angel," one lad whispered, as he stared up at Julia transfixed.
"Heaven sent," Montague agreed, as he none-too-subtly tried to push the lad and his companions back through the curtain and into the box.
"My lady," Maria, beside Julia, gave a stage-whisper, "That's Lord Montague."
"I know."
Julia felt dazed, as Montague held her gaze, his eyes searching hers for a sign.
"The son of your family's greatest enemy," Maria reminded her, as she glanced between the two in confusion.
"I know."
Montague gave a grin, and Julia gave a rather foolish one back.
"A man you shouldn't be talking to," Maria continued, as she cast both Julia and Montague aggrieved glances.
"I know."
"I think you have lost your senses, my lady," Maria wailed, as she realised that there was no talking her mistress away from Lord Montague.
"I know," Julia replied, though she spoke more to Montague than Maria.
"I need but a second of your lady's time," Montague pleaded, tearing his eyes away from Julia to focus on Maria, "As your humble servant, I beg you, just a moment."
Maria was many things, but she was immune to neither flattery, nor a handsome face. She preened with pleasure at the marquess' gallant request, before giving a nod of acquiescence.
"Just a minute," she said, her cheeks blushing rosy red, "I'll be timing you."
She sauntered off a step or two, leaving Julia and Montague alone, or as alone as was possible, with six young boys watching them from behind a twitching curtain.
"Lady Havisham called you a flying blunderbuss," Julia blurted, accidentally insulting Montague in her rush to form an apology.
"I have been called much worse."
"No—I mean, yes—I mean..." Julia never stammered, but her need to explain herself to Montague seemed to have addled her brain, "I mean, yes ,I am sure you have been called worse, but no, Lady Havisham was not insulting you. Well, not really. But she did say that you were jumping out of trees in Green Park with a Frenchman, which means that you were not lying, and that it is I who insulted you, by calling you a liar."
There, she thought breathlessly, she had apologised, which had surely been her motivation for seeking Montague out.
Surely.
"No apology is needed," Montague gave a bow, "I did promise you the world and disappear, as you so succinctly put it. It is I who should be begging your forgiveness."
"Oh, no," Julia protested, "I should be begging you."
"I insist," Montague interrupted, "It is I."
"Lud," a voice called from behind the curtains, "You're both as rich as Croesus; neither one of you needs to beg."
Julia flushed, unused to being heckled, while Montague gave an amused grin.
