“Please,” she hissed. “Put me down before someone sees.”
As he swung her around, she realized it was too late. Someone had seen, and it was the last person she wanted as a witness. She watched, aghast, as the all too familiar profile of Gregory slipped out the back door.
Oblivious, Lyle obliged and set her down nicely. “Your play was a roaring success. Next week will pull an even greater crowd.” In a lower tone, he rumbled, “I can’t believe he was right.”
“Who was right?”
“Gregory.”
“What do you mean? What was he right about?”
“The play.”
As if those two words were a sufficient explanation. Mary reigned in her urge to narrow her eyes, extend her palm outward, and tap her foot. Instead, she politely inquired, “What was he right about in regards to the play?”
“He said this latest play of yours could be a success.”
He said that? She thought. Why had he never said anything? What a mercurious man.
“Well, I’m glad you took the risk and put on the play here at Vauxhall.”
“Yes, I’m glad Gregory funded it and convinced me to do it.” The man was sharing more than he would have if he had realized he was exposing Gregory’s secret.
“What do you mean Gregory funded it? I thought you bought the rights to the play? I thought this was all your idea?”
Lyle turned to face her and his eyes widened. He must have registered the fact that he had spilled too much and that there was no going back now.
“I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but… to hell with it.” He looked up, eyes widening even more, “I apologize for the language.” With Mary’s motion to continue, he conceded, “As you know, I was interested in the play, but I believe I was perhaps more interested in you.” He had the decency to permit a tinge of blush in his cheeks. “I didn’t want my business sense foiled by… well, I decided to withdraw business interest until Gregory spoke with me.”
“What did he say?”
“He told me he was going to fund the play and buy rights to it under Vauxhall, so you wouldn’t be signing it over to him. Then he made all the arrangements to invite guests of the highest honors. He promoted the play and brought in the crowd tonight.”
Mary could feel the blood rising to her hairline about to leak out her ears. Of all the underhanded, manipulative, deceitful actions he could take. She thought her play had merit of its own accord, only to find out it was all an illusion.
Well, he would pay for this.
Without so much as a by-your-leave, Mary abandoned the theater, found her carriage and driver, and went straight to Chatsworth.
Bugbsy did not have time to open the front door fully as Mary charged into the house and threw back the door.
“Where is he?”
With the ever-unflappable comportment of a butler, Bugsby replied, “I believe he rode out to the folly my lady.”
“Get me a horse.”
“Of course. Right away my lady.”
Gregory stood at the top of the folly overlooking the fields. This was truly the most breathtaking view he had ever seen, and he had traveled the content extensively.
It wasn’t his plan to be standing here now, without Mary, but when he saw Lyle twirl her around, he had to change his plans. If he hadn’t left in that moment, he would have stormed over to Lyle and ripped him limb from limb. Besides, if Mary wanted to be with Lyle, that was her choice. Not the right one, but he would have to draft a new plan before attempting to sway her away from him.
The sounds of horse hooves interrupted his plotting. He turned to the sound and saw Mary in all her glorious goddess wonder. Even from atop the tower he could feel the power emanating from her.
He watched her hurtle off of the horse. He knew she saw him, but they were too far away for their eyes to meet. He also knew without a doubt that a storm was coming his way.
Then, in a trice, she was standing before him in all her fury. He knew she must be angry at him for sending her away. But he was unprepared for the quarrel.
