And it struck her then—the idea of her fate. This whole matching attempt was one more effort to protect her, was it not? What else could it be? And the attempts wouldn’t stop either, not until she married a man her family believed could protect her, too. She saw it then, her whole season, and the next, and next rolling out before her like a carpet of Heart and her family protecting her.
That was not the life—or the sort of marriage—she wanted.
She realized suddenly that it was time—time to stop hesitating and confess she knew the truth. Besides, they would have to include her at some point. Then they could work out the future together.
But first things first.
“This is utterly ridiculous of you, Heart.”
The duke coughed delicately off to the side.
“That’s enough,” Heart said with a warning look. “I will see you later.”
Leonora watched in disbelief as he strode from the box, back stiff, leaving her alone with the duke. She glanced at Calstone, her mind racing through ideas for how to escape this situation. She didn’t want to sit through an entire play smiling while she inwardly fumed at that rascal Heart!
“Well, this is certainly interesting,” the duke said, then chuckled. “I can’t say this has ever happened to me before.”
“Are you not angry?” Leonora asked. She wanted to throttle the man who called himself her brother.
He shrugged. “Fortunately, I am slow to lose my temper. Shall we make a run for it? I’m afraid, however, if we do, it will do neither of us any good.”
Leonora sighed. There was no helping it, was there? Though the idea of making a run for it did hold some appeal. It would certainly spark a rumor or two. But she also didn’t want the duke to be further dragged into whatever plot her brother had concocted.
“Well, since we are here, shall we at least enjoy the first half of the play?” Calstone said, correctly interpreting her silence and motioning to the seats.
“I apologize for my brother’s little scheme,” she offered, taking a seat. She might as well enjoy the first half as he suggested, though her earlier thrill had all but disappeared. She had wanted to know how long it would last. Well, it had crumbled in the face of Heart’s machinations. The only way to rekindle that thrill would be if a certain other lord were to walk through those doors. The cause of her thrill—her fellow secret sharer.
She sighed softly. Leonora rarely ever succumbed to speechlessness. Yet tonight... she had no words for the stunt Heart had pulled. Just where had he disappeared to? Had she been right about the duchess? Or was he sitting in some dark corner like a fool and waiting for the first half of the play to end? The man must have lost his faculties. Leaving her alone with Calstone in their booth? While not entirely improper—since they were in full view of the entire theatre—it was the second most calculating thing he’d ever done—the first becoming her brother.
Both ploys spoke volumes about his inner conflicts.
However, who was she if not a moment snatcher? And at present she had a moment with the Duke of Calstone and a play. Unfortunately, while she had no problem seizing the moment, asshe stared down at the stage, watching the performers, she could not focus on a single actor’s performance.
She cast a sidelong glance at the duke.
“I’m sorry,” she couldn’t help but apologize to the man once more. “I do not know what has gotten into Heart’s head.” Or perhaps there had only been air in his head all along. It would certainly explain a few things!
A smile danced in Calstone’s eyes as he looked her way. “Your brother means well.”
If only Heart meaningwelldid something other than annoy her. “This is one step too far, in my opinion.”
“We could still make a run for it. Though I must admit, I’ve never had a lady resist the presence of my company to quite such a degree before. Tonight even more so than that day in the boat.”
She grinned. “To be fair, it’s not that I loathe your presence, but I did enjoy it far more when you were in that boat.” At least then he had been a shield between her and Heart.
“Truly? I was but a mere spectator who fervently regretted the desire to spectate.”
“Exactly.”
He laughed. “I see.” He leaned his head in toward hers. “Don’t be too hard on your brother. You might not like what he did either then or tonight—it’s underhanded to be sure—but he adores you. Of that, there can be no doubt. Also, I’m enjoying myself.”
“You are?” Leonora asked incredulously. “Even though you find yourself once again a spectator?”
He shrugged. “Tonight there is no water, so I’d say I’m fairly safe, wouldn’t you?”
Leonora shook her head. “Don’t succumb to Heart’s madness. Will you still be enjoying this if I truly set my sights on you?”
He grinned. “You won’t.”
