She turned to her husband. “I am most excited,” she said. “I’ve never seen a Sheridan play.”
“Have you not?” he asked, shocked. “You’re truly missing something, then. They are deliciously cutting and absolutely wonderful. I think you shall enjoy it very much, for you shall understand exactly who Sheridan is commenting upon.”
“Truly,” she said. “Are they that scandalous?”
“Indeed,” he replied, completely at ease under the watchful eyes of society. “It is more than simply just The School for Scandal,” he explained. “Richard Brinsley Sheridan writes the most skewering and accurate portrayals of the ton that you will ever see.”
“My goodness,” she said. “I cannot wait. Are you presented?”
“Not in this play,” he said.
She raised her brows. “You have been mentioned in another one?”
“Perhaps, or at least someone like me,” he said with a smile.
“Oh dear,” she said. “You must be notorious.”
“You know that I am,” he said with a shrug.
And yet, his notorious ways were not as awful as so many thought. Of that, she was becoming more and more certain.
“Please,” he said. “Let me help you sit.”
“Oh dear. Am I in so much need of aid?”
He leaned in and whispered, “I must appear attentive, my dear.”
“Then do,” she said, her voice far breathier than she’d intended. “Please show yourself to be attentive.”
He took her hand and guided her into a seat, then gently slipped her shawl from her shoulder, and before she knew what he was doing, he did the most shocking thing of all. He pressed a kiss to the curve of her throat.
It would have been an absolutely scandalous gesture, but they were the Duke and Duchess of Chase. They could do whatever they pleased.
He sat beside her and extended his long legs, a delicious set of movements. Derek poured her out a glass of champagne.
“Take it,” he said, and she did.
She sipped the cool, bubbling liquor from the crystal flute and enjoyed it, for it danced upon her tongue. It made her feel completely alive, almost as alive as that kiss upon her neck had done. She turned to her husband in amazement.
“What are you doing?” she asked, sotto voce.
“I am making you the most envied woman in London,” he returned in a mirrored whisper.
“You are so arrogant,” she replied.
“Yes,” he agreed again. “But it’s also accurate. Is it not? The fact that I am one of the most powerful men and that many women wish—”
“Yes, yes,” she said. “You needn’t explain it for me further.”
Old Lady Garret from the box beside them rapped her fan on the balustrade.
“My dear, my dear,” she called in a firm, if reedy voice.
“I believe she’s speaking to you,” Chase pointed out.
Victoria turned and looked at the older woman who was dressed in a slightly out-of-date fashion, but still quite gilded. Her hair was coiled up in silver curls, decorated with gold and diamonds.
Her gown was tightly corseted to her waist and dripped with jewels. “Now, now, you and Chase seem most comfortable together.”