“What is that smile for?” Georgie demanded.
“I’m simply smiling!” Charlotte insisted, tucking her thoughts of Mr. Riley into the deepest recesses of her heart.
“And the sigh?”
Charlotte quirked a brow. “An exhale with audible aspects. Nothing more.”
Georgie’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you. You are hiding something, and I insist that you tell me what it is.”
“All right, Miranda,” Charlotte replied pointedly.
Georgie gasped dramatically, then burst out laughing. “Oh, very well, I’ll leave off teasing you and prying. I’m only hopeful and encouraged where Mr. Riley is concerned. Is that too much?”
“Not at all,” Charlotte assured her. “You are a true friend, and I am anxious for him to meet you, to meet all of the Spinsters, so that you might all like him as well.”
“I already like him,” Georgie laughed. “The moment you find it acceptable, I’ll invite him here for supper. I think he and Tony might find a friend in each other, and it would do well for Tony to have other friends than Morton or Hensh.”
Charlotte grinned mischievously. “Why does he need to spend less time with Hensh?”
“He doesn’t. Only Hensh seems determined to spend all of his time with the Mortons, and Tony feels quite left out.”
“Hensh has a plan, and he is determined to see it through.” Charlotte smirked to herself. “Good man. I’ll have to do more to enhance my chances of winning. New tactics, and greater effort.”
Georgie frowned. “Winning what? What tactics? What have you and Hensh done?”
Charlotte only smiled all the more cheekily. “Never you mind. What are your thoughts on chaperoning me to the theater this week?”
Chapter Fifteen
Behavior at the theater ought to be studied with more focus and interest. This author could tell all sorts of tales from observation alone, but why risk the ruination of so many?
-The Spinster Chronicles, 16 July 1817
“Are you certain we may use the box? It is no trouble to me to sit in the general seats, you know. I am quite used to such things.”
Michael smiled down at Diana for at least the fifth time that evening. “I am quite certain, Miss Palmer. I have had many assurances that it will not be occupied tonight, and that all will be available for our use. What else can I do to put you at ease?”
Diana blushed in her pretty way, her smile only heightening her beauty. “I am perfectly at ease, I assure you. I am only excitable and so delighted to be at the theater.” More color rushed into her cheeks and she lowered her eyes. “With you.”
The sweetness of her words filled his lungs, could have given him wings, would have spurred him to run extreme distances for the promise of her smile. It was a strange sensation, and certainly the first time he had experienced it from her hand, but there was also a thrilling sense of victory in it.
He had done it. He had found a woman who made him happy, who made him feel things, who saw him for the man he was and enjoyed being in his company. He could come to love Diana Palmer, and it would not take too much effort at all.
What an astonishing thought… and a sobering one.
He’d need to start thinking matrimony and details before too long. That would require several meetings, but it should be fairly straightforward, all things considered.
But first, there would need to be courtship.
He smiled at Diana, though her eyes were still cast down. “I’m rather pleased to be here with you, as well,” he told her in all sincerity.
Her nearly amber eyes rose to his, an innocent light glowing there.
Michael nodded in encouragement, then smiled. “I feel rather fortunate, actually, to have such a vision of loveliness on my arm.”
The flattery made her laugh, and she averted her eyes again, though no one would have denied Michael’s words.
Diana had dressed herself in pale green silks, which gave her eyes a more magical hue, and the cut, fit, and styling of the gown, none of which Michael understood, seemed to heighten her figure magnificently. Her golden hair had been curled and plaited, ribbons and flowers darting here and there in the fair tresses. She was a complete vision, and he defied any man in this theater to find her anything less than stunning.
“You are lovely, Diana,” Mrs. Greensley insisted behind them. “Come, come, you must accept your due praise.”
“Please, cousin,” Diana pleaded with a smile. “Mr. Greensley, will you not give a word of sense?”
Greensley, accompanying his wife to the theater on chaperoning duties, shook his head. “Afraid not, Diana. You outshine all ladies here save one.”
“I’ll accept that!” Diana said with a quick laugh. “Who supersedes me?”
“My wife, naturally,” Greensley replied without hesitation as he smiled at the woman beside him.
Mrs. Greensley gave him a playful look, then shook her head. “Chivalry, but no sense. Alas for Mr. Greensley.”
Michael chuckled and continued on their promenade in the theater, the pressure of Diana’s hand on his arm a strength and a comfort, though he hadn’t realized he needed either.
Being with Diana was certainly a revelation in more ways than one.
Their small group walked on, all smiling and nodding at other guests milling about with them. Michael was pleased to note how many of those nodding at him he could actually name. He had grown so used to only keeping track of names as they affected Charlotte, keeping stock of each of her would-be suitors, no matter how unlikely, that any individuals that might have impacted him in some way had been completely ignored. Now, however, he was only meeting people for his own interests, and the sheer volume of names had taken some getting used to.
What a relief to know he was equally capable of managing his own social connections.
“I believe we should come to our box shortly,” Michael assured the others. “I trust you will be quite pleased with the view of the stage. I do not
