Chapter Eight #2
There was one in particular she noted where a few young women she knew sat talking among themselves. One held on to a pair of opera glasses and was looking right at them. She recognized one of them as being one of the group who had ridiculed her early on.
Lucien must have figured out what was going on because he closed the gap between himself and Harriet, whispering in her ear. That gesture got the gaggle in the box almost across from them speaking between themselves.
“You can do better than them for friends. They’re obviously gossips and I’m sure their mothers are as well,” Lucien said.
“No need to worry about them. I find them amusing.”
Lights began to dim, and chimes played indicating the show was about to start.
People were scurrying to their seats or boxes to settle in.
All eyes were on the darkened stage as the orchestra began to play.
They started out low, gradually building until somewhere in the middle of that darkened stage a voice came out of nowhere.
As the lights began to grow brighter, the Italian soprano could be seen standing on a small platform.
She was wearing a ruby-red gown, probably silk.
It flowed for effect as she moved effortlessly around the platform and began to descend four steps to the stage floor.
Never before had Harriet seen anything so dramatic. Never had she seen such talent.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Lucien asked.
“Oh, yes. She sings so magnificently. I’ve never heard anyone who could come close.”
Lucien reached out and took her hand in his larger one as they continued to be mesmerized by the music. Time went too fast and before they knew it, the first half was coming to a close. People were moving around now that an intermission began.
Arthur and Daphne excused themselves as they left to visit friends. It left her alone with Lucien and she wasn’t sure if it was planned or not. He stood up and offered his hand. She accepted and followed him to the refreshments.
He poured her a small glass of wine, then a glass of brandy for himself. She took a sip of the deep-red liquid. It was a little stronger than any wine she’d encountered in the past. Of course, it was a rare occasion when her parents did let her have wine.
Setting her half-finished glass of wine down on a table, she noted him finishing his brandy. “I know she is extremely popular. She would have to be not to have someone else on the bill,” she said.
He was now directly in front of her, his lips just inches from hers. What did he have in mind? “I agree,” he replied.
Before she knew what was happening, his hand was cupping her face as he leaned in to kiss her. It wasn’t what she expected. It was a light touch to her lips, his tongue outlining the seam of her mouth before he stopped.
“That was nice,” he rumbled, his lips so close she could feel his hot breath on her.
“It was,” she said nervously. She gazed up into his gray eyes and saw something she hadn’t seen before. A longing.
“May I kiss you again?” he asked.
“Please,” she replied.
She closed her eyes and felt the moisture of his lips once more. This time something made her respond instinctively. She wanted more. He made her feel wanted, important, and loved, though it might be too early for that word to be used.
When the kiss ended this time, she drew back a couple of steps. “Someone might come through the door.”
“Bugger them all,” he responded.
Harriet giggled at his words. Picking up her wine glass, she walked to the balcony edge. “Why don’t we see who we know.”
“That might prove interesting since a lot of patrons came in late.”
“Yes, it might. Besides, don’t we want to be seen?” she asked innocently.
He followed her to the edge of the box and peered once again at the various boxes. As it was earlier, quite a few of them were not occupied. Being intermission, a lot of the ton went visiting to be seen by others.
Not everyone had a box so looking at the seats in front of the stage was always amusing. Lucien was beside her, leaving little room between them. He explained who people were if they weren’t familiar to her, as he had before.
Harriet found herself becoming more relaxed and comfortable alone with Lucien. There were abundant stories about how men acted once given permission to court a young lady. Luckily Lucien wasn’t like that. He’d been nothing but a gentleman. They seemed to be quite compatible.
“The royal box appears empty this evening,” she said.
“That’s a relief. If the prince were here and he saw me, I’m sure I would have been summoned.”
“You have certainly become a favorite with him.”
“Too much for my liking. It’s not that I don’t like him. I do. He uses his title and position for his own gain,” Lucien replied.
“Just remember how much business you’ll gain simply by him purchasing merchandise from you.”
They had discussed this before, but it demanded repeating. He wanted his business to grow, but frustration set in because the prince would rarely speak to anyone else.
“You are a good listener, Harriet. Otherwise, I’d forget how the man can manipulate a situation.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied.
He chuckled. “Have you noticed the number of people trying to be discreet and look up here?”
“I’ve been trying not to pay them attention.”
The chimes rang, indicating the second half of this evening’s performance would be getting underway. It was a gentle reminder for patrons to take their seats.
Suddenly, Lucien kissed her boldly on the lips before taking her free hand and guiding her back to their seats.
“I thought we should give them something to talk about,” he said smugly.
She arched a brow and giggled. “Do you think it worked?”
He nodded. “Oh yes. I can see two sets of opera glasses focused on the box.”
The door opened and Arthur and Daphne rejoined them. Daphne took a glass of champagne from a footman and came to sit near Harriet and Lucien. She smiled at them before gracefully taking a sip.
“Why must men discuss business every chance they get? Why can’t they just enjoy an evening out with their wives and family?” Daphne sighed.
“It is not in the male makeup. The way we were brought up from a young age,” Arthur quipped as he sauntered to his chair and sat down. He took a swallow of champagne and looked out at the audience as the lights began to dim.
“Lucien, you and Harriet must have made an impression on people. I notice we’re being looked at through opera glasses,” Arthur said.
“Yes, so it seems. We were looking at who was here, whom we might know. That’s when it all started.”
“Next week they’ll focus on some other couple, and you’ll be forgotten,” Daphne replied.
“I certainly hope so,” Harriet said.
With the lights once more dimming, the audience quieted as the music started for the second part of the incredible Italian soprano.
Harriet leaned forward as the singing began, trying to catch the ambiance of the music.
She was enthralled. To have a gift like that and sing with all the feeling and emotions tugged at her heartstrings.
Soon she relaxed and sat back to listen. Though the words were in Italian, she felt as though she knew every word, every meaning. The inflection of the singer’s voice made it possible to understand. She was mesmerized.
And just like that it was over. Harriet jumped to her feet and began applauding enthusiastically. The entire theater had erupted into thunderous applause. Lucien stood beside her. She peered up at him. He nodded and continued clapping alongside her.
The soprano took curtain call after curtain call. It would be hard to follow this woman. She was truly admired and loved for her craft.
Harriet wondered if she had a family, a husband, children?
So many artists didn’t and the ones who did, their families stayed at wherever home was.
That would be a hard life, being away from what was personal and familiar.
However, that was the life artists chose and it was something they accepted as normal.
She looked around the theater which was emptying out.
It would be chaos for a while. Daphne had mentioned earlier that they would probably wait and let the biggest rush go out before them.
She’d been right because Daphne was tasting something from the appetizer table.
Harriet had been so excited she’d failed to remember it was there.
She walked over to Daphne and gazed at what was being offered.
“I made reservations for dinner at the hotel across the street. They’re excellent if you haven’t tried them before,” Arthur said.
“Good, because I’m starving,” Daphne announced.
“Lucien, you’ll join us?” Arthur asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replied, his gaze focusing on Harriet.
“Good. I think we need to get going while the crowd is thinning out,” Arthur said to everyone.
The crowd wasn’t as sparse as Arthur hoped it was, and it took fifteen or so minutes for them to navigate their way out of the theater and across the street to the hotel and restaurant.
Everyone stood in the lobby near the restaurant’s entrance while Arthur went to talk with the man in charge of reservations and seating.
Arthur’s jovial mood had changed when he rejoined the trio. “It seems there’s going to be a wait.”
“I thought you made reservations,” Daphne said.
“I had, but it seems people are lingering. The wait may be up to forty-five minutes,” Arthur replied.
Daphne shook her head. “That won’t do. Tell them thank you, but no thank you. I have a much more fun idea for dinner.”
“I agree with Daphne. They should have prepared better for the theater crowd,” Harriet replied.
“Then it’s settled,” Arthur said. He looked at Lucien who’d remained quiet. “Lucien, what say you?”
“I agree with the ladies. Let’s head back to your house and see what Daphne has in mind,” Lucien said.
With all in agreement, Arthur walked over to the restaurant desk and spoke with the gentleman once more. It took him only minutes before he returned to his group. “Let’s find the carriage.”
They didn’t have to walk far as the driver had pulled the sleek, well-polished carriage off to one side just beyond the hotel.
The quartet all climbed in and waited for the carriage to pull out into the street.
The traffic had thinned out so arriving at Jameson House didn’t take as long as the ride to the theater.
Once inside the house, Arthur quickly dismissed any remaining staff for the night and the four of them followed Daphne to the kitchen. Once in the center of the room, the men sat at a well-used table while Daphne and Harriet went about finding them something to eat.
Among their finds they brought to the table were two small loaves of bread, butter, apples, a plate with chicken that had been carved off the bones, along with beef roast. A plate of pasties had also been found.
Cook often made these in the country for Arthur to take when he rode the estate and didn’t come back for lunch.
It may not have been a fancy meal, but it was comforting and much appreciated by all.
The room was quiet except for the crackling remains of a fire in the hearth and the gentle snoring of Timmy, the knife boy.
He slept in the kitchen and awoke early to get the fire restarted for the day’s use and to make sure there was enough wood to last throughout the day.
Arthur and Lucien finally pushed back from the table claiming they needed to breathe, but not before they were tempted with a large slice of apple pie and cup of tea. The ladies joined them after clearing the dishes and stacking them to be washed.
Though everyone was enjoying their time together, Lucien announced how late it had gotten. “I hate to bring this evening to a close, but it is quite late and time for me to leave.”
“We’ll have to do this again soon,” Daphne said.
“Yes, I agree,” Harriet said.
Moments later Harriet was walking with Lucien to the front door. Daphne and Arthur chose to give the two time alone and insisted they needed to finish putting things away.
Stepping into the grand entrance hall, Lucien stopped.
He gathered Harriet in his arms. “I had a very enjoyable evening,” he said before lifting her chin and kissing her.
It started out gentle and slow, but Lucien’s carnal instincts began to take over, his tongue forcing her lips to part.
Surprisingly, Harriet did not try to stop him, as though looking to him for guidance.
When he did end the kiss, he struggled to regain his composure. “Harriet, I apologize if I was too forward. You bring out feelings and urges in me. I hope I wasn’t too rough.”
She gazed up at him, still dazed by the intimacy. “Don’t apologize, Lucien. There is no need. I was enjoying the closeness.”
Rubbing his hand on her cheek, he gave her a grin. “How would you like to take your first ride astride tomorrow?”
“You don’t have business meetings?”
He shook his head. “That’s why I have managers or assistants. I will have everything taken care of by noon. Afterwards we can either have lunch and then go to the park, or we can just go directly to the park.”
“Then I look forward to it,” she replied, before adding, “Actually, I’m excited to have the chance.”
“As am I.” He picked up his hat and coat, throwing the coat over his arm. Putting his arm around her waist, Lucien led her to the front door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He leaned down and kissed her once again. This time she opened to him, taking him by surprise. Opening the door with his free hand, Lucien tore loose from the kiss.
“Tomorrow then,” he said hoarsely.
“Tomorrow. Good night, Lucien.
“Good night,” he replied. He strode down the stairs and out the gate.
Harriet stood and watched him until he disappeared.
She wondered if his carriage was around the corner or if he was walking all the way home.
Sighing, she shut the front door and bolted it shut.
Doubting Arthur and Daphne were still in the kitchen, Harriet went up the stairs to her room to get ready for bed and to write all about the evening in her diary.
Rex was sleepily waiting on her when she opened the door. “Just help me out of this gown and corset. I can do the rest myself.”
“Yes, milady. Did you have a good time?” Rex asked as she began to help Harriet out of her skirt.
“Yes. I had the most magnificent night. One I’ll not soon forget,” she replied.
That much was true. She would never forget this evening. Her first real kiss that invoked feelings she didn’t know existed. Lucien was responsible for releasing everything within her. She wanted more, much more.