She smiled gratefully at him. “You wouldstill wish for me to audition.” She waited for hisconfirmation.
The gentleman laughed. “I’ve seen you dancein a few productions. There is no need.”
Heat stole into her cheeks again. Even inMilan, she needed to audition for the roles she wished and a bit ofpride burst inside that what he had already seen was enough to puther on the stage, if only there were a place for her.
“Thank you, Mr. . ."
“Fortier,” he answered.
“Thank you again, Mr. Fortier.”
He followed her until she had exited thebuilding and once Juliette was alone, she walked toward the roadleading home. Her heart was heavy in that she had not foundplacement, but hope lingered that perhaps Mr. Fortier might find aplace for her in his company. But just in case, she would visit TheAdelphi Theatre tomorrow.
When Acker emerged from his meeting, it wasalready growing dark. The entire afternoon and early evening hadbeen spent in discussion and argument at times, on the best ways toensure Napoleon arrived at Elba and stayed on Elba, as well as theseveral military actions involving England around the world.
He paused on the curb and pushed his fingersthrough his hair, exhaustion settling around him. He certainly wasnot up for another ball this evening, though his mother expectedhim to attend. It wasn’t that she wished to spend time with Acker;she wanted him to find a bride and settle down. More importantly,she wanted grandchildren, which she reminded him of at leastweekly.
How could he concentrate of looking for abride or even giving any of the available debutants anyconsideration? Juliette was in London! She was the only woman hewanted. She just might not have him.
He had barely been able to concentrate in themeetings because of thoughts of Juliette. Everything changed whenhe saw her. Even if Juliette had not returned, none of the ladieson the marriage mart this Season intrigued him. He hadn’t evenbothered with obtaining a mistress since his return. He had brokenfrom the last one before he left on his travels and once he wasback, none of the willing ladies would do.
They weren’t Juliette.
Though he anticipated that he might not eversee her again, Acker couldn’t bring himself to engage another womanin an intimate relationship. As such the house he kept in CoventGarden for the sole use of a mistress had remained unlived.However, it was well-staffed since Acker didn’t want to let theservants go and the place was always kept ready in the event thatit was needed.
That was where he should go this evening.Mother didn’t even know about the townhouse so wouldn’t look forhim there, thus he wouldn’t be pressured into another bloody boringball, or have to listen to her lists the numerous fine qualities ofthe young women being presented. He had already attended enoughballs this season to know that none of them would do.
None of them were Juliette.
Acker crossed to where his carriage waited.Hopefully there was still time for cook to prepare a small supper.He settled back against the squabs and ran a hand over his facebefore he closed his eyes. A fine meal and a soft bed was all heneed this night. Tomorrow he would be refreshed and continue hissearch for Juliette.
The carriage came to stop before the threestory townhouse in Covent Gardens. He alit from the conveyance andinstructed the driver to return home.
The front door opened before he reached itand Martin, the butler stepped back. “We were not expecting you,Lord Acker.”
He gave his hat and cloak to a footman, whoseeyes shifted from Martin to Mrs. Hart, the housekeeper. A youngmaid stood in the center of the stairs, biting her lower lip.Something was deuced odd with them this evening. Of course, he hadnot been here in months but a quick glance assured him that hisservants had not been lax in their duties while he was away.
“You do usually send a note when you aregoing to be visiting,” Mrs. Hart reminded him.
Ah, so that was it. They feared he might beangry if everything wasn’t as it should be. Hadn’t they worked forhim long enough to know that he didn’t require much and had neverbeen a tyrant? “If you must know,” he grinned. “I am hiding from mymother who wishes to match me with every available debutant thisSeason. I am frankly too tired for such nonsense and thought toescape.”
Martin started to smile but controlled hisfeatures, which Acker took to mean that the man was in completeagreement with him, whereas Mrs. Hart pursed her lips indisappointment. Acker wondered if Mrs. Hart would betray heremployer and report to mother where he was hiding.
“If it is not too much bother I would like totake supper before retiring.”
The maid bopped a quick curtsey. “I’ll informcook.” She darted down the rest of the stairs and toward thekitchen before Acker could reply.
“Would you care to go into the library and Iwill pour you a glass of brandy,” Martin offered.
“That sounds splendid, Martin.” When theyentered the library the butler rushed past him and poured a glassof brandy, handing it to Acker.
“Please have my supper delivered here.”
He nodded and quit the room. Acker wanderedover to the window to look down on the street below. The housestood almost in the heart of Covent Garden and there were peoplewalking in either direction and several hackneys and carriagestraveling as well. He shouldn’t be surprised. This area of town wasusually thriving well into the early morning hours. He studied eachwoman who passed, paying close attention to hair color, and if iteven resembled a red he looked at the face, willing the person tobe Juliette, but he did not see her.
Where had she gone and where did she live? Hewould hope it was in Covent Garden, and it would make sense sincethe majority of London’s theatres were located in this
