Innocence and Impropriety

by Diane Gaston

  ‘I should like that,’ he responded truthfully.

  They talked of inconsequential things until she was called to perform. Flynn stood in a dark corner of the balcony, able to see her in profile, though she turned to smile at him before beginning her first tune, an old Irish ballad he remembered his sisters singing as a duet. She continued with ‘O Listen to the Voice of Love.’

  His gaze wandered to the audience. It was still light enough to see the people staring spellbound as she sang. She captivated them all, he thought, scanning the crowd.

  He caught sight of Lord Greythorne and scowled. But Greythorne was not looking at Rose. Flynn followed the direction of the man’s gaze across the span of people. He froze. At the edge of the crowd stood a familiar tall figure, arms crossed over his chest, face tilted toward the lovely Rose O’Keefe.

  Lord Tannerton.

  Chapter Five

  Flynn listened to Rose’s final notes drift into the night air and watched her take her final bow. Tanner’s ‘Bravo!’ sounded above all the other voices.

  It was good he was here, Flynn told himself determinedly, because Flynn needed to remember that his task was to get Rose to accept Tanner’s protection. He needed to be certain Tanner won her over Lord Greythorne. The more time Flynn spent alone with her, the more bewitched he became, as if he were also vying for her regard.

  Rose came over to him, smiling. She grasped his hand. ‘We must go below.’

  He let her lead him to the room below stairs.

  ‘How was I?’ she asked him, as the voice of Charles Dignum reached their ears. ‘I felt myself straining here and there. Was it noticeable, do you think?’

  She still held his hand. He stared at it a moment before answering. ‘I noticed no imperfection.’

  She smiled and squeezed his fingers. ‘What shall we do now? The night is lovely and I must wait for my father and Letty. I know you wish to talk to me, but could we do so while we explore the gardens again? Go see the hermit?’

  The hermit illusion was located at the far end of one of the darker, less crowded paths well known for dalliance. Flynn could just imagine leading her into one of the private alcoves, holding her in his arms and finally tasting her lips.

  He forced himself to face her. ‘Lord Greythorne is here,’ he said. ‘As is Lord Tanner.’

  Her eyes flashed. ‘Lord Tanner? You did not tell me he would be here.’

  ‘I did not know,’ he quickly explained. ‘He was engaged elsewhere, but I saw him in the audience. He is here.’ Flynn held her shoulders. ‘Allow me to present you to him. You might see for yourself the man he is.’

  She stared into his eyes. ‘Oh, Flynn.’ It took her a moment to go on. ‘Not so soon. I mean, I…I am not ready to meet him. I have not decided yet that I should.’

  He tilted his head toward the stairway leading to the orchestra’s balcony, to where her father played his oboe. ‘Your father wishes it, does he not? The marquess will not wait for ever, and Greythorne is very willing to step in.’

  Her eyes turned anxious. ‘Time, Flynn. Can you be procuring me a little more time?’

  He nodded, knowing he should not.

  Tanner would take care of her. Take her away from the unpleasant Miss Dawes and the drab set of rooms shared with her father. Tanner would protect her from men like Greythorne, anyone who might mistreat her. It would be best for her to simply meet Tanner. See the man he was, and make her decision. Then Flynn could go back to a sane life.

  ‘I shall see you have more time,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you.’ She grasped his hand. ‘Call on me tomorrow, Flynn. Share supper with me. I do not perform tomorrow. You could come after my father and Letty leave. I will be more prepared to think.’

  He stepped closer to her. What could one more day matter? Her beautiful face turned up to his. It seemed natural to slide his hand down her arm, lift her hand to his lips. Even through her glove he could feel its warmth, taste the allure of her.

  He released her. ‘I will call tomorrow, then.’

  ‘Eight o’clock? Papa and Letty will have left by then.’

  He nodded.

  He walked over to the door, but before he opened it, he turned back to her. ‘I had forgotten. I must give you this tonight. From Lord Tanner.’ He pulled out the small velvet box from his coat pocket.

  She held up her hand to refuse it.

  ‘Accept it, Rose. It is a trifle to him, but I can no longer find excuses for not giving it to you.’ He placed it in her hand.

  She opened the box, revealing the ring, a sparkling emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds, in a setting of carved gold. ‘This is not a trifle, Flynn,’ she said, trying to hand it back to him.

  ‘It is to Tannerton.’ He closed her fingers around it. ‘Take it, Rose. It does not obligate you to him, I promise.’ He kept his hand over hers for too long. ‘I must leave.’

  He quickly pulled away and opened the door.

  ‘Goodnight, Flynn,’ he heard her say as he hurried through the doorway into the night.

  Adam Vickering, Marquess of Tannerton, sat in a supper box with his friend Pomroy and the party of high flyers and dashers Pomroy always seemed to collect.

  Pomroy filled his glass with arrack. ‘You’re like a besotted fool, Tan—’ He paused to belch. ‘Never thought you the sort who let a woman lead him by a string.’

  Tanner gulped down half his arrack. ‘I’d be dashed pleased to be led by this one, if I could only get near enough to secure her.’ He looked heavenwards. ‘You heard her, Pomroy. She is an angel.’

  ‘Ha!’ his friend barked. ‘I’d say she’s devilish crafty. Has you eating out of her hand and all without speaking a word to you. She’s going to play you against Greythorne, you know, like bidders at Tattersalls.

  ‘Got to admit, it is good sport.’ Tanner’s grin turned to a scowl. ‘What have you discovered about Greythorne?’

  ‘He courted Amanda Reynolds, all the rage a year ago. Everyone thought they would marry. She spurned him, though.’

  ‘Left him for another man?’ Tanner asked.

  ‘Some soldier, I believe.’ Pomroy shrugged.

  ‘Her head turned by a man in regimentals?’ Tanner concluded. ‘Not unheard of, you know.’

  ‘Yes, but there was more to it, I’m certain,’ Pomroy said. ‘She could have had anyone. Don’t you remember her? She was perfection.’

  Tanner conjured up an image of a cool blonde, the sort who would pine for routs and balls and dreadful musicales. He took another mouthful. ‘Always disliked that fellow Greythorne. Looks the whole day like he’d just left his valet.’

  Pomroy was summoned by one of the prime articles he’d found in the Gardens. Pomroy would no doubt enjoy her company all night through, but such females held no interest for Tanner. While his friend attended to the pretty thing, Tanner leaned back on his chair, balancing it on its rear legs. He raised his drink and gazed out into the crowd.

  With any luck he’d catch sight of his secretary and have him wrangle a meeting with Miss Rose O’Keefe. Even if luck was not with him, he could still congratulate himself for escaping Lady Rawley’s tedious musicale. Half an hour of the soprano she’d hired had nearly done for him. He wished half the fashionable set would leave Town and go rusticate in the country. Leave him free of their tiresome invitations. Let them all go rusticate, in fact.

  Not that he had any intention of burying himself in such boredom. He paid his managers well so he would not have to put in an appearance at any of his properties until hunting season.

  Tanner swished his arrack in the glass. Ordinarily he’d be in Brighton this time of year, but the elusive Rose O’Keefe had kept him in town.

  Tanner’s eyes narrowed as a pristinely attired gentleman swinging a walking stick strolled up to the supper box.

  ‘Why, if it is not Tannerton.’ Greythorne tipped his hat in an elegant gesture that seemed to mock Tanner’s boyish balancing act.

  Tanner perversely accentuated his lack of ge
ntility by stretching his arms to the back of his head. ‘Greythorne.’

  Behind Tanner Pomroy laughed and one of his female companions squealed. Greythorne eyed them with ill-disguised contempt.

  He directed his gaze back to Tanner. ‘I hear we are rivals of a sort.’

  ‘Rivals?’ Tanner gave a dry laugh. ‘I highly doubt that.’

  Greythorne ignored his barb. ‘For the captivating Rose O’Keefe. I quite covet the girl, you know.’

  ‘Really?’ said Tanner in a flat voice.

  Greythorne tapped the wall of the supper box with his stick. ‘Your secretary tells me she is yours, but I confess I see no signs of it.’

  ‘Eyes bothering you?’ Tanner remarked.

  Greythorne brushed at his coat, as if a piece of dirt dared mar his appearance. ‘You are amusing, Tannerton.’ He glanced in the direction of the Grove where Miss O’Keefe had performed. ‘Perhaps I shall amuse you when the young temptress is mine.’

  ‘No fear of that.’ Tanner lifted his glass to his lips. ‘Doubt you’ve ever been amusing.’

  Greythorne’s lips thinned and Tanner actually fought the need to laugh.

  ‘To the victor go the spoils,’ Greythorne said, making a salute before strolling off.

  ‘Trite bastard,’ Tanner muttered to himself.

  Pomroy twisted around. ‘Did you say something?’

  Tanner did not reply, because he saw someone else in the crowd. He propelled himself out of his chair, sending it clattering to the ground, and vaulted over the supper-box wall.

  ‘Flynn!’ he called, pushing through the people to catch up. He grabbed Flynn’s arm and pulled him to the side. ‘When do you meet with her, Flynn?’

  His secretary regarded him in his usual unflappable manner, not even showing surprise at his presence. ‘I have done so already,’ Flynn answered.

  ‘To what result?’ Tanner asked eagerly.

  Flynn paused, only briefly, but enough to try Tanner’s patience. ‘I was able to give her the ring,’ Flynn finally said.

  ‘Excellent!’ Tanner’s eyes lit up. ‘Did she like it?’

  ‘She said it was more than a trifling gift.’

  That was all? ‘Well, I suppose that is something.’ Tanner grasped Flynn’s arm. ‘We need more progress, man. That snake Greythorne is slithering around. He just spoke to me.’ Tanner gave a mock-shiver. ‘I’d hoped for a meeting tonight.’

  ‘I did not expect you tonight, my lord,’ Flynn said in a bland voice.

  Tanner grinned. ‘That is so. I escaped some ghastly musicale with some equally ghastly soprano to come here. I could not resist. I tell you, Miss O’Keefe’s sweet voice was balm in comparison.’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘This business is taking an intolerably long time.’

  ‘Patience is required.’

  ‘Well, we both know how little of that commodity I possess.’ Tanner clapped him on the arm. ‘That is why I depend upon you, Flynn. If it were up to me, I’d go there now and demand she see me, but I suspect you would advise against it.’

  ‘I would indeed.’

  Tanner blew out a frustrated breath. ‘I wonder what Greythorne will do. I trust him about as far as I can throw him.’ He thought about this. ‘Make that as far as he could throw me.’

  ‘I can assure you she shows no partiality toward him,’ Flynn said.

  Tanner grinned. ‘That is good news. What is next for us then?’

  ‘I shall dine with her tomorrow.’

  Tanner gaped at him. ‘Dine with her? Well done. Very well done, indeed.’ His secretary was clocking impressive amounts of time with her. Things were looking up.

  Flynn gave him a wan smile.

  ‘Tanner!’ Pomroy was standing in the supper box, waving him over.

  Tanner glanced at him. ‘Pomroy beckons. I suppose I must go. He’s managed some entertaining company, no one to remark upon, but anything is better than that ghastly musicale.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Enjoy yourself, Flynn. Might as well see what pleasures the garden can offer, eh?’

  ‘Thank you, sir,’ Flynn replied.

  Tanner headed back to the supper box, not noticing his secretary did not heed his advice. Flynn turned towards the Kennington Lane gate where he could catch a hackney carriage back to Audley Street.

  The next evening Rose said goodbye to her father and Letty, watching from the window until they were out of sight. Waiting a few minutes longer to be sure they had time to get in a hack, she donned her hat and gloves, picked up a basket, and hurried outside. She walked the short distance to the Covent Garden market past youngbloods who whistled and made lewd remarks. The theatres had not yet opened their doors, but the street was teeming with well-dressed gentlemen casting appraising glances at gaudily dressed women who only pretended to have some destination in mind.

  Rose listened for the pie man’s call and made her way to him to purchase two meat pies. She also bought strawberries, a jug of cream, and a bottle of Madeira wine. It would be simple fare, but the best she could manage without the means to cook and without her father and Letty suspecting. She returned home, setting the pies near the small fire in the parlour fireplace. She moved the table they used for eating and found a cloth to cover it. She set two plates, two glasses, and cutlery and stood back to survey her work.

  It was not elegant, nothing, to be sure, like a marquess’s table set with porcelain china and silver, but it was the best she could do.

  All the day she’d felt out of breath, not from nerves at hiding this from her father, but anticipation of seeing Flynn.

  She’d been so disappointed at Lord Tannerton’s appearance the night before, forcing her to forgo Flynn’s company. She’d had girlish fantasies of walking with Flynn down the Dark Walk, where lovers could be private, where lovers could kiss. Tannerton had spoiled it.

  She was determined Tannerton would not spoil this evening, even if Rose must talk about him with Flynn. She intended to spend some part of the evening merely enjoying being alone with him. In school she’d learned it was not proper to entertain a man alone in one’s lodgings, but here in Covent Garden no one expected proper behaviour. She planned to take advantage of that fact.

  While she checked the kettle to see if there was water enough to heat for tea, the knock sounded at the door. Rose wheeled around, pressing her hand against her abdomen to quiet the flutters. She hurried to the door and opened it.

  Flynn stood with a small package in his hand. ‘For you, Miss O’Keefe.’

  She hesitated. Another present from Tannerton. Letty had already discovered the ring and was at this moment wearing it on her finger. Rose took the package into her hand and stepped aside so Flynn could enter.

  Flynn placed his hat and gloves on the table near the door and turned to her, pointing to the package. ‘It is a token,’ he said. ‘From me.’

  From Flynn? That made her happy. She eagerly untied the string and opened the box. Inside was an assortment of sweet-meats, all prettily arranged. She thought she had never seen anything so lovely, nor received such a wonderful gift.

  She smiled at him. ‘Thank you. I will serve them with our tea.’ Or leave them untouched to treasure for ever. ‘Please come to the table.’

  She poured him a glass of Madeira. ‘I know it is customary to have conversation before dinner is served, but I thought it best for us to eat right away.’

  ‘Whatever you desire, Rose,’ he said, still standing.

  He waited until she had fetched the meat pies from in front of the fire and placed them on the plates, then held her chair for her. She smiled up at him.

  ‘Our meal is rather plain,’ she apologised.

  ‘I do not mind.’ He settled in his seat and took a forkful. ‘I do not know when I last ate meat pie.’

  She felt her cheeks warming. ‘I am sorry to serve you such poor fare.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ he said. ‘I meant it is a rare treat.’

  She gave him a disbelieving glance. ‘There goes your silver tongue again.’

/>   ‘Truly, Rose.’ He looked so sincere she was tempted to believe him.

  She glanced back down at her plate. ‘You know, in my grandparents’ house this would have been a luxury. There’s more meat in my pie here than they ate in a week sometimes.’

  A faint wrinkle creased his brow. ‘Their lives must be difficult.’

  ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘they died a long time ago, soon after my mother. After that my father put me in school in Killyleagh.’

  He glanced up again. ‘You had other family, certainly.’

  ‘Not of my mother’s family, but there are plenty of O’Keefes.’ She took a sip of her wine. ‘My father’s family never was accepting of him being a musician, so I never really knew them.’

  Flynn took another bite of the pie he was truly enjoying. He remembered how poor some were in Ireland. He had not realised she’d been one of them. Tanner’s generosity could give her a secure, comfortable life. This was the perfect opportunity to convince her of the advantages of accepting his offer. If he could even convince her to meet Tanner, she would learn this for herself.

  ‘We need to discuss your meeting with Tannerton, Rose,’ he ventured.

  She stared down at her plate. ‘Yes. I have promised you we would do so.’ She looked up at him. ‘So speak. I shall listen.’

  The force of her eyes drove all words from his mouth. ‘Perhaps after our meal,’ he said.

  She smiled. ‘Tell me more of King’s Theatre, then. Tell me of its interior.’

  So he talked of King’s Theatre, Drury Lane, Covent Garden, as well as other smaller theatres he’d attended. He told her of the sopranos he’d seen: Catalani, Camporese, Fodor, among them. She listened, eyes dancing in delight at his descriptions, and he found himself wishing he could share such experiences with her.

  She served him a simple dessert, strawberries and cream, and after she cleared the dishes away, she said with a twinkle in her eye, ‘Shall we retire to the drawing room, then?’ She gestured to the two cushioned chairs near the fire. ‘I’ll make tea.’

  He sat while she poured hot water from the kettle into a teapot. Though their conversation had been comfortable before, they now lapsed into a strained silence, broken only by her questions of how he took his tea.