The Princess and the Peer(94)
Her pulse went wild, her throat turning instantly dry. She glanced away, her hands quivering so much she felt compelled to lock them tightly together in her lap.
What is he doing here? she thought with a mixture of pleasure and panic. What if someone sees him staring?
But then she reminded herself that many people came to the theater as much to watch their fellow attendees as they did to see the actors. No one would think anything of his scrutiny, particularly if she didn’t look back. As for his presence tonight, he had obviously come to see the play.
Of all the dastardly luck. Why had she chosen tonight of all nights to go to the theater? And why this theater and this play?
She trembled again and resisted the urge to gaze his way.
“Well?” Ariadne asked when Emma said nothing. “Is it him?”
“No, of course not,” she lied, hoping Ariadne would believe her and let the matter go.
“Really?” Ariadne drawled skeptically. “Then why is he staring at you like a lost wanderer who just stumbled upon an oasis? Believe me, Emma, that man definitely wants to drink you up.”
“Arie!” she said on a low hiss. “Will you hush before we’re overheard?” Worried, Emma darted a sideways glance over her shoulder, relieved to see that the baroness was still thoroughly involved in the play.
“Only if you promise to stop lying,” Ariadne whispered back, clearly unrepentant. “You never were any good at fibbing, you know. It’s that little crease you get between your eyebrows. See, there it is now.”
“I do not have a crease.”
But she did, and she could feel the lines like they were a great big L for liar stamped in the middle of her forehead.
Beside her, Ariadne waited, knowingly smug.
“All right. All right,” Emma confessed. “Yes, that’s him. But it doesn’t make any difference.” Sadness swept through her like an arctic wind. “He’s as far away from me now as if we were separated by an ocean.”
“He doesn’t look that far,” Ariadne said in a gentle voice. “Only just across the way, if you would but reach out.”
Yet in spite of Ariadne’s words, Emma knew her friend understood exactly what she meant, even if she chose to be foolishly idealistic about the subject.
Looking down, Emma gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. “Don’t start again. It’s too late.”
“No, it—”
“What are you two whispering about?” Mercedes murmured, leaning forward from the seat behind. “What’s going on? You’re both driving me to distraction.”
“I’ll explain during the interval,” Ariadne tossed quietly over her shoulder.
Just then, the baroness turned her head to study the three of them.
Mercedes sent her a smile, while Ariadne and Emma fixed their gazes on the play as if they had been watching all the time.
“Kean is thrilling, do you not think?” Mercedes said.
The baroness stared, then gave a faint, noncommittal nod. Apparently satisfied with her charges’ conduct, she turned her attention back to the stage.
Mercedes relaxed in her chair once again, while Ariadne shot Emma a relieved smile.
But Emma could not smile back.
Nor did she dare let herself gaze again at Nick.
“I believe I shall take a stroll,” Emma declared once the interval commenced. “I never like to sit too long.”
Ariadne shot her an encouraging look, clearly under the impression that Emma planned to escape their chaperone and find some means of meeting up with Nick.
“If you would be so good as to accompany me, Baroness?” Emma continued.
Ariadne’s face fell, her eyes goggling with incredulity and obvious frustration.
“But, of course, Your Highness,” the older woman agreed, clearly unaware of the unspoken conversation raging around her. Turning her back, she walked to wait at the door of the box.
Emma reached down to retrieve her small, pearl-encrusted ivory satin evening reticule, then stood to make her way along the aisle. Ariadne gained her feet at that moment and moved with a lithe step that neatly managed to block Emma’s exit. Pausing, she brushed at her skirt with a casual hand.
Mercedes, who stood one row ahead of them, shot them both a pointed what’s going on? look, followed by a you’d better tell me soon frown. Aware they could not speak freely, she drew a resigned breath and turned to leave as well.
As she did, Ariadne stepped quickly forward, walking into the aisle just behind Mercedes, her stride long and oddly determined. Suddenly, Mercedes staggered as if she’d been jerked from behind, and a loud ripping sound rent the air.
“Oh, Mercedes!” Ariadne exclaimed, her hands going to her cheeks. “Oh, heavens, what have I done? I am so sorry. I don’t know how I could be so clumsy. I think I may have ripped your flounce. Here, let me see.”