It was Nighter’s eyes that tipped Marissa off and belied his angelic looks. Pale blue, like the crust of winter’s first snow, and just as devoid of any warmth. Or humanity. How old had Adelia said he was? Twenty-five? Much too young to have become so . . . soulless.
Nighter stood over Marissa, his immense, muscular form dominating the small space of the box. The full lips twisted into a charming smile, chilly gaze lingering over her bosom before lifting to take in her face.
Marissa stared down her nose at Captain Nighter. Or as much as was possible with a man of his height. She put aside her initial misgivings. Tomkin trusted the young captain, telling Marissa that Nighter was an honorable man who did dishonorable things.
Like compromising a young girl for a purse of gold.
If Nighter so much as curled a finger in Miss Higgins’s direction, the poor thing would melt into a puddle at his feet. Exactly what she was meant to do.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” The gravelly voice echoed in the box.
“Captain Nighter, may I present my dearest friend, Lady Cupps-Foster.” Adelia twirled about nervously.
Nighter didn’t bother to hide his blatant assessment of her. “My pleasure, Lady Cupps-Foster.” He took her hand politely, holding it a moment longer than necessary while Adelia fumed at his side.
“Captain Nighter. How lovely to make your acquaintance.”
Releasing Marissa’s hand, Nighter turned to Adelia. “I’ll go fetch us some more wine, shall I?” He didn’t wait for her to answer before he headed out of the box.
“Yes, Nighter,” she said to his retreating back. “Thank you.”
Marissa turned to her friend, who was still staring in the direction the captain had gone. What on earth was Adelia thinking taking up with a man like Nighter? “Goodness, Adelia. He’s younger than both my sons.” And so very broken.
“He’s twenty-six.” Adelia shrugged, fanning herself. “And he’s an old soul. Trust me.” She took Marissa’s hand. “Don’t pout, Marissa. You’ll get little lines around your mouth. Besides, I’m enjoying myself.”
“I know . . . just be careful with him. At any rate, I only stopped by to say hello and ask you to join me for luncheon tomorrow.” She hadn’t intended on inviting Adelia over, but the excuse seemed as good as any. “Haddon’s daughter will be coming as well. I would love for you to meet her.”
“Haddon’s daughter? She’s probably blessed with the same divine bone structure. I shall be there.” She kissed Marissa’s cheek. “But not too early, darling. Nighter is a demanding lover.”
“You really are quite horrid, Adelia,” Marissa said, smiling at her.
With a wave at Adelia, Marissa made her way out of the box, and toward the stairs. Spencer and Elizabeth would be wondering where she had gotten off to. The hallway was dim, the lights having been turned down in anticipation of the play resuming. Haddon was here, somewhere in this theater, with Lady Christina clawing at him with her perfect gloved hands.
The thought did not improve her mood.
“My lady.”
A dark rasp came from the shadows at the very top of the stairs. The darkness moved, taking the shape of Captain Nighter.
Lying in wait for me. Marissa’s pulse jumped at his sudden appearance.
Bunched muscles tightened beneath the fabric of his evening clothes as he bowed to her. Nighter was a big man, much like Nick and Brendan, sucking up all the available air in the hall with his presence. There was a hint of well-bred snobbery in his manner—the sort a person possessed when they’d been born into wealth. Nighter, according to Tomkin, was the disgraced nephew of a wealthy marquess, though she’d neglected to ask which one. His familial ties were of no importance to Marissa. Only the fact that he was at loose ends and needed money mattered, though it had reassured her somewhat to know he’d been born a gentleman.
“Captain Nighter.” The hall was empty save for her and Nighter, something which gave her pause. The play had started. She could already hear the screeching of the lead actress. Marissa lowered her voice to ensure anyone who might chance upon them couldn’t eavesdrop.
“I assume you will be attending Lady Ralston’s ball,” she murmured.
“If that is your pleasure, my lady.” The icy gaze traveled over her breasts.
Marissa didn’t care for his chilly perusal of her bosom. Nighter was undoubtedly well-versed in the seduction of women, though it was unlikely he had to work very hard at the task. Any young lady would be grateful for his attention if one didn’t notice the absolute desolation in his eyes.
“I will arrange for the two of you to be caught in an indiscretion at Lady Ralston’s. But you must seek her out prior to attending the event. Flirt with her. Garner her trust so that she will meet you without question in some darkened room at the ball. There will be no seduction of her person, only the appearance of one. The young lady in question is not to be physically harmed in any way,” she stressed.
An odd look flitted through his ice-blue eyes, surprising Marissa before Nighter caught himself and placed his chilly mask firmly in place. But not quick enough.
Sorrow. Grief.
In that moment, Marissa caught a glimpse of the man Nighter must once have been. Before becoming this crueler, darker version of himself.
“I would never harm a woman physically. You have my assurance.” The words hovered in the air like bits of snow and ice. “I won’t betray Mr. Tomkin’s trust in me nor would I ever be stupid enough to incur the interest of your family, my lady.”
“Very good.”
What happened to you, Captain Nighter?
There had been no mistaking the absolute heartache shadowing his striking features, if only for a moment. She’d seen it in her own face often enough after Reggie’s death.
“The lady in question,” he was careful not to mention Miss Higgins by name, “will have her reputation damaged only enough to break a betrothal and nothing more. I will seek her out in the
