“I shall count backward from three,” Kenneth said with a grin. “Three. Two. One. Bite!”
Joanna stuffed the whole lemon peel into her mouth, eager to finish the challenge quickly. As her teeth bit into the sugar-coated lemon, an avalanche of flavors assaulted her. First, the sickly sweet flavor of sugar filled her mouth, and then the bitterness of the lemon came like a punch.
She wanted to spit it out at once, for it was similar to candied orange peel yet worse. Her cheeks hollowed at the acidity, and her eyebrows knitted as her jaw rebelled against her attempts to chew.
Joanna struggled to keep the grimace off her face but found it rather impossible. And that effort had undoubtedly made her face look rather amusing, for Kenneth broke into a chuckle.
“It seems I win,” he said. “Marzipan isn’t that bad, after all. You were right. I rather like it. Now, for my victory.”
He looked at her as if he expected a challenge, but Joanna simply shrugged. “Go on, then. I know when I’ve been defeated.”
“Very good,” he replied. “I declare that we shall dine with my mother this weekend.”
Shaking her head in mock disappointment, Joanna couldn’t help but smile. “Very well, Kenneth. A dinner with your mother itis. If I had known of this challenge beforehand, I might have practiced by eating a few of those dreadful lemon peels.”
They exchanged a playful glance, the challenge adding a lighthearted touch to their evening escapade.
After they sampled a few less revolting foods and washed it all down with red wine, they returned to their box, though Joanna’s heart felt lighter this time, and the dreadful music did not bother her as much.
Something had changed between her and Kenneth. Somehow, their arrangement was no longer as stifling and weighed down by formality and the rigid rules they had agreed on.
Suddenly, it felt a lot good, like she was in a confederacy with a true ally. A friend. Someone whose company she could enjoy. And if she interpreted the smile on his lips correctly, Kenneth felt the same.
One long, excruciating hour later, the final notes of the opera lingered in the air as Kenneth and Joanna stepped out of the box again. Hazel followed them this time.
Dozens of fellow patrons spilled out of the boxes around them and into the hall. The heavy carpet swallowed the sound of their footsteps, but their conversations echoed off the tall walls as they excitedly chatted about the performace.
“I dare say we ought to do a turn around the grand lobby,” Kenneth whispered.
Joanna’s heart sank. She knew this was exactly what they had to do. They needed to be seen together. While their earlier escapade had been purely for their enjoyment, they were not here for fun and games. They were here to create an illusion.
“We ought,” she agreed, though she heard the tremor in her voice.
She did not like to be out in public, nor did she enjoy being the center of attention, but that was exactly what she was right now. She saw people staring at them, whispering about them behind large feather fans. Sweat broke out on the nape of her neck.
The opera’s grand hall was full of people who’d come down from the boxes on the other side. It was a great space, to be sure. It was impressive and adorned with towering columns and ornate details that spoke to the luxury of the arts. However, she’d rather be anywhere but here.
As they passed beneath the crystal chandeliers, she, Kenneth, and those around them were bathed in the warm light. The crowd enveloped them, the hum of conversations and the rustle of silk gowns accompanying every step they took.
Unaccustomed to such large gatherings, Joanna felt the twinge of unease grow into dread. She pulled her shoulders inward as if to make herself smaller and walked with her head low, hoping someone else would soon draw the attention away from her.
“Are you all right?” Kenneth asked, his voice low as his eyes flitted from her to the crowd and back again.
“I don’t like crowds. I feel like everyone is looking at us,” she admitted.
Thus far, she’d presented herself as confident, strong, and witty, but now, she was none of that.
To her surprise and relief, Kenneth took her arm and pulled her a little closer. “We shall navigate this together, do not fear. Just imagine all of these illustrious guests have candied lemon peels for heads.” He winked at her, and a peal of laughter burst out of her lips, which only served to attract more attention. Still, his joke had helped her relax, even if just a little.
Likewise, feeling his hand on her arm brought her an unexpected sense of safety. She hadn’t been so close to a man in public before, and as they moved through the crowd, she found herself stealing glances at Kenneth. Walking by his side seemed to provide a shield against the scrutinizing gazes, and gradually, her unease began to fade.
“I think that will do,” Kenneth said eventually after they’d taken a turn about the grand hall and refreshments room. “We provided enough fodder for them to spin a great many tales about us.”
“I suspect we will be on the front page of the scandal sheets tomorrow, they love writing about the latest couples,” she whispered, and he nodded as he steered her outside.
Hazel walked behind them, just far enough to give them privacy while maintaining propriety.
As they stepped outside, the cool night air enveloped them, providing a welcome reprieve from the stifling warmth of the crowded hall. A line of carriages was waiting in front of the entrance, and it took Joanna a moment before she could find hers.
