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As they traveledover the Westminster Bridge, Rachel glanced southward out of the carriage window and a forlorn sigh escaped her. “Kitty and Kurt are going to Vauxhalltonight.”
Caroline pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off another headache. “Perhaps we’ll go later this week.” Which wouldn’t be the same as attending with Kitty, much to Caroline’s relief even if it was to Rachel’schagrin.
“I dare say that shan’t be as much fun,” her daughtermuttered.
“Can we get a supper box?” Emma asked anxiously. “That would begrand.”
“I think that can be arranged.” Caroline smiled at her youngest child then glanced at her oldest. “And I shall be as fun as I am able,Rachel.”
Walters drew the carriage to a stop in front of Astley’s Amphitheater and then the footman quickly lowered the steps for Caroline and the girls to alight from thecoach.
She thanked her footman as she reached for Emma’s hand, linking her other arm with Rachel’s. Then she whispered in her oldest daughter’s ear, “Let’s do have a good time this evening, allright?”
Rachel smiled, though it seemed a bit forced, then she nodded in reluctantagreement.
The three of them navigated their way through the crowd and into the main entrance. There was indeed a crush that evening, teams of people crowding the amphitheater, but Caroline easily spotted the box Alex had reserved for their little party down in the front, in the middle of thearena.
Olivia’s eight year old step-daughter Poppy waved her hand in the air to catch their attention and Emma nearly squealed as she bounced on her toes. She let go of Caroline’s hand and dashed down to the box, leaving Caroline and Rachel to trail after her. It was so good to see Emma excited about something, as she’d been so miserable at Benton Park the last severalmonths.
Rachel shook her head. “Someday she’ll have decorum,I’msure.”
Caroline squeezed her oldest daughter’s arm. “You were much the same way at her age, mydarling.”
The two of them made their way, slower than Emma had done, through the crowd and down to the Kelfield box where Alex and Livvie wereawaitingthem.
“…and he was nowhere to be found. And then Lord Peasemore came right for us with Fluff in his arms,” Emma explained to Poppy. “I’ve never been so relieved in allmylife.”
“Inallyour ten years?” Livvie touched a hand to Emma’s head. “Heavens! Youhavehad an eventful day,haven’tyou?”
Emma nodded wildly. “I’m just so glad he’s safe,Livvie.”
“Me too.” Caroline’s cousin winked at the girl. “And I’m gladyou’resafe. Where do you want to sittonight,Emma?”
“Livvie,” Poppy began softly. “We always sit in the front so you and Papa don’t block the view of thehorses.”
“Of course, of course.” Livvie shook her head. “What was Ithinking?”
While Poppy and Emma scrambled to the bench at the front of the box, Livvie laughed at the pair. But when she turned back to Caroline, her eyes widened in apparent shock and the smile on her faceslippedaway.
Whatinthe—
Caroline glanced over her shoulder and her breath caught in her throat when she sawMarc, right behind her, close enough to touch her if he was of a mind. His light blue eyes seemed to sear her, and her mouth fell open insurprise.
“My dear,” he greeted her softly before nodding in Alex and Livvie’s direction. “Kelfield. Your Grace, you’re looking lovely asalways.”
“Lord Haversham,” Livvie clipped out as she cast her unhappy expression upon her husband, who paid his wife’s annoyance no notice in theleast.
And then Marcdidreach his hand out and brushed it ever so gently against the small of Caroline’s back, making delicious tingles race across her skin. She thought she might burst into flames right there in the middle of Astley’s. But that would never do, and he should never touch her. So she took a step away from him to preserve her own sanity and put some much needed spacebetweenthem.
“Oh! Uncle Marc!” Poppy squealed. And then rushed to the back of the box to throw her arms around the villain’smiddle.
“Miss Everett,” he scolded, tipping her chin up with his hand. His eyes held a delighted little twinkle. “We’ve talked about this. I have a certain reputation tomaintain.”
“Sorry. I forgot.” At once the little girl dropped her arms and frowned up at him. “I mean—Good evening, Lord Haversham,” she said verydispassionately.
Marc grinned from ear to ear and then reached into his pocket to retrieve a little purple tin. “I don’t suppose you know anyone who likes lavender drops,doyou?”
Poppy began to bounce on her toes. “Me,me,me.”
