Read Online Just a Kiss by Ally Broadfield - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ally Broadfield
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the brief touch sent a thrill through her.
People began returning to their seats throughout the theater. Sebastian took a deep breath and blinked. “I believe this is my cue to return to my box.” He lifted his hand, then returned it to his side. “Until we meet again, Miss Lightwood.” He bowed and exited.
Charlotte watched him leave as heaviness settled over her. She sank into her chair and Anna returned to the seat next to her.
“Did you enjoy your conversation with Lord Hudnall?” Charlotte asked.
Anna took a deep breath and blew the air out before responding. “As much as it is possible to enjoy a conversation with him, I suppose.”
Charlotte raised her brows. “I believe Lord Marley had intended to speak with you, but Lord Hudnall monopolized your time.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “Lord Marley seemed content where he was.”
Charlotte cleared her throat. “We simply conversed about the show and compared the talents of the singers to our rather paltry experiences performing in amateur shows. Lord Marley is very easy to converse with.”
“So it would seem.” She raised a brow but said no more on the topic.
Charlotte perused the crowd, searching for more familiar faces, and noted with a strange sense of bereavement that Sebastian and Lady Marley were no longer in their box. Scolding herself for not taking advantage of what might be her only chance to see a show of this caliber, she immersed herself in the story.
Charlotte had assumed they would stay for the entire performance. She had heard that the farce that ended the entertainment was often the highlight of the evening, but Richard insisted on leaving as soon as the curtain came down on the second act, and Elizabeth refused the duchess’s offer to bring Charlotte home.
They offered their thanks, and before Charlotte knew it, they had settled into the carriage. This time Elizabeth sat next to her, and Richard stretched out on the opposite seat. Charlotte closed her eyes and feigned sleep.
Elizabeth tapped her arm a few moments later, and Charlotte lifted her lids to find Richard asleep on the seat across from her.
“Charlotte, I would like an explanation for your inappropriate behavior this evening.”
She shook her head and turned to Elizabeth. “I beg your pardon. In what way was my behavior inappropriate?”
“You held a private conversation with Lord Marley in a theater box in full view of most of London society. Everyone shall expect a betrothal announcement.” Elizabeth opened her fan, then snapped it closed. “What do you think will come of your relationship with him? He will not make an offer for you. Surely even you can understand that.”
Her heart clenched. “I don’t expect Lord Marley to make an offer for me. He is simply a gentleman who makes it his business to converse with everyone rather than ignoring those who are less fortunate than he. He was equally gracious to you and Richard, as well.” Elizabeth was due for a reminder that her own status was not so exalted.
Elizabeth crossed her arms. “I want you to stay away from him. Do not forget that you have a standing offer of marriage from Horace. He will not wait forever for you to come to your senses. Nor will he wed a girl who behaves inappropriately in public.”
Charlotte turned to the window, though there wasn’t much to see beyond the gaslights lining the streets. Most of the homes were dark, their occupants retired for the night.
“You are lucky to have an offer at all. Horace has inherited an estate. I suggest you carefully consider your situation and make a wise decision about your future.”
She would rather live out her life alone than with Horace. Perhaps she could live above a flower shop and spend her days arranging flowers. It was a far better prospect than marrying a man she detested with every fiber of her being.
…
Sebastian rang for tea, helped Gran settle in her chamber, and then followed the maid into the corridor. “Would you be so
People began returning to their seats throughout the theater. Sebastian took a deep breath and blinked. “I believe this is my cue to return to my box.” He lifted his hand, then returned it to his side. “Until we meet again, Miss Lightwood.” He bowed and exited.
Charlotte watched him leave as heaviness settled over her. She sank into her chair and Anna returned to the seat next to her.
“Did you enjoy your conversation with Lord Hudnall?” Charlotte asked.
Anna took a deep breath and blew the air out before responding. “As much as it is possible to enjoy a conversation with him, I suppose.”
Charlotte raised her brows. “I believe Lord Marley had intended to speak with you, but Lord Hudnall monopolized your time.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “Lord Marley seemed content where he was.”
Charlotte cleared her throat. “We simply conversed about the show and compared the talents of the singers to our rather paltry experiences performing in amateur shows. Lord Marley is very easy to converse with.”
“So it would seem.” She raised a brow but said no more on the topic.
Charlotte perused the crowd, searching for more familiar faces, and noted with a strange sense of bereavement that Sebastian and Lady Marley were no longer in their box. Scolding herself for not taking advantage of what might be her only chance to see a show of this caliber, she immersed herself in the story.
Charlotte had assumed they would stay for the entire performance. She had heard that the farce that ended the entertainment was often the highlight of the evening, but Richard insisted on leaving as soon as the curtain came down on the second act, and Elizabeth refused the duchess’s offer to bring Charlotte home.
They offered their thanks, and before Charlotte knew it, they had settled into the carriage. This time Elizabeth sat next to her, and Richard stretched out on the opposite seat. Charlotte closed her eyes and feigned sleep.
Elizabeth tapped her arm a few moments later, and Charlotte lifted her lids to find Richard asleep on the seat across from her.
“Charlotte, I would like an explanation for your inappropriate behavior this evening.”
She shook her head and turned to Elizabeth. “I beg your pardon. In what way was my behavior inappropriate?”
“You held a private conversation with Lord Marley in a theater box in full view of most of London society. Everyone shall expect a betrothal announcement.” Elizabeth opened her fan, then snapped it closed. “What do you think will come of your relationship with him? He will not make an offer for you. Surely even you can understand that.”
Her heart clenched. “I don’t expect Lord Marley to make an offer for me. He is simply a gentleman who makes it his business to converse with everyone rather than ignoring those who are less fortunate than he. He was equally gracious to you and Richard, as well.” Elizabeth was due for a reminder that her own status was not so exalted.
Elizabeth crossed her arms. “I want you to stay away from him. Do not forget that you have a standing offer of marriage from Horace. He will not wait forever for you to come to your senses. Nor will he wed a girl who behaves inappropriately in public.”
Charlotte turned to the window, though there wasn’t much to see beyond the gaslights lining the streets. Most of the homes were dark, their occupants retired for the night.
“You are lucky to have an offer at all. Horace has inherited an estate. I suggest you carefully consider your situation and make a wise decision about your future.”
She would rather live out her life alone than with Horace. Perhaps she could live above a flower shop and spend her days arranging flowers. It was a far better prospect than marrying a man she detested with every fiber of her being.
…
Sebastian rang for tea, helped Gran settle in her chamber, and then followed the maid into the corridor. “Would you be so
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