“I will confess to not knowing much of opera,” Mr. Greensley said to no one in particular, “but the reviews of this one are most encouraging. Very entertaining, this.”
Mrs. Greensley laughed at her husband’s words. “Well, it is an opéra comique, my dear, so one would hope it would entertain.”
“I always marvel at the talents of opera singers,” Diana commented before the thread could continue. “All ladies are expected to have some ability to sing, and some are better than others, but what would it be like to have a voice of this brilliance!”
“Rather busy, I would think,” Michael replied with a quirk of a smile. “You’d likely be asked to sing at every gathering you attended, even if there was no other music planned. Mothers of daughters would ply you with questions about your training in the hopes that their daughters might somehow follow the same course. Ears of music lovers would strain for your voice, knees weakening as they neared your presence, and all would fall before your feet.”
Diana stared at him, eyes wide, then her lips moved into a soft smile. “You’re right. That does sound busy. I think I’ll keep to my middling voice after all.”
Michael laughed at the quip, as he tended to do whenever Diana’s wit was on display. She kept that skill rather private, which allowed one to appreciate it all the more when it did appear, but what a brilliant wit it was! Perhaps that was due to her quieter nature, perhaps it was that beauty and wit were such a rare combination, or perhaps it was that he did not expect any woman outside of Charlotte’s circle to possess much by way of wit.
Whatever it was, the pleasure of once more having female wit in his company was a true delight.
“Ah, here we are.”
Michael stopped cold as the voice he knew well said the exact words he had been preparing, and his eyes blinked twice before he could believe the sight before him.
Charlotte stood there, her hand in Mr. Riley’s arm, Tony and Georgie Sterling behind them.
At the same box they were preparing to enter.
Which, all told, was not surprising, as it was the Wright family’s usual box.
But Michael had received permission from Mr. Wright to make use of the box tonight. Had the man forgotten his own daughter was going to use it? Yes, they had fit a number of people into the large box before, but this…
“What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked without any politeness, apparently not noticing any of the others.
“Your father gave me use of the box,” he told her without any defensive airs, which was a feat in and of itself. “He assured me it would not be in use.”
Charlotte’s expression did not change, but he caught a flash of a wrinkle in her brow that belied her calm. “Clearly, my father needs to speak with my mother at more regular intervals. She granted me use of the box this evening.”
Michael grit his teeth, praying he could keep his composure intact in the presence of Diana and the Greensleys. “Well, we certainly don’t wish to impose…”
“Not at all,” Charlotte said quickly, looking at the group finally and smiling at them all. “There is plenty of room, and I’ve had larger parties than this in our box without the slightest bit of discomfort.” She gestured towards the box, her expression all benevolence and generosity now. Her eyes fixed on Diana, and her smile widened. “Miss Palmer, I am so pleased to see you again.”
As Michael feared, Diana beamed in return. “You as well, Miss Wright. I had no idea we’d be using your family’s box. Is this where you sat when you imagined the article about secret behaviors at the opera? It is one of my favorite pieces.”
Charlotte cocked her head with a bemused smile. “How did you know I wrote that one, my dear? I know Michael couldn’t have told you, I never give him advanced insight into my articles.”
Diana blushed and bit her lip. “I have made a study of the articles. I can usually tell which of the Spinsters has written which thing.”
“Can you, indeed?” Mr. Riley said with a laugh. “Miss Palmer, you will have to enlighten me. I’ve never been able to properly identify the authors, though I confess to not knowing the identities as it is.”
“Miss Palmer,” Charlotte broke in quickly, “may I present Mr. and Mrs. Sterling? Mrs. Sterling is also one of the writers.”
Diana all but squealed. “Oh, Mrs. Sterling, what a delight! I’m honored to meet you.”
Georgie smiled with her usual kindness, though there was also amusement in her features. “Miss Palmer, I’ve heard much about you, but none of it measures up to the reality. What a pleasure. Shall we take our seats?”
Michael could have kissed Georgie in gratitude for suggesting it. Chatting about the Spinsters in Charlotte’s presence while standing outside of the box at the theater was not something he was enjoying, and the sooner they could return to his previous designs of wooing Diana the better.
Having Charlotte about only heightened his resolve to begin his courtship in truth. He’d speak to Greensley tonight and call on him in the morning. The only reason he had not done so following Lord Eden’s ball was due to a foolhardy night spent in a club consuming more alcohol than a man was designed to hold, then spending the following days in bed sicker than a dog. Were it not for Hugh Sterling, Michael might have had a spot of trouble there, but he had been well tended.
Stupid, but at least cared for.
He wouldn’t wait any longer. Tomorrow, he would take the first step.
The four couples entered the box and began rearranging their seats accordingly, faint shuffling as they tried to find the best arrangements, the murmur of the other theater guests adding a layer
