“I believe that is a wonderful idea,” he replied. “And I say we take it a step further. When you are tasked to present, you’ll also introduce your plan for the theater. If you’re unable to convince the person that your idea is of value, I’ll bring up my idea for a gentlemen’s club. The same works the other way around.”
She considered this. It was a good plan. “I agree.”
As the vehicle continued down the road, Louisa reflected on their strange relationship thus far. What began as a mutual dislike had slowly evolved into something far different. They had grown to care for one another. This quest for the theater was a reasonable way to strengthen the bond that was forming between them. Perhaps they would even fall in love.
When he had saved Louisa from Mr. Venter in the alley, Sir Aaron had confessed that he cared for her. Choosing to keep her thoughts to herself did not mean that she cared for him less, but she was not ready for such a proclamation. Not just yet.
Once they arrived at Foxly Manor, a stiff, middle-aged butler with a ring of gray hair circling an otherwise bald pate led them to the parlor. The room was tastefully decorated. Feathery bronze fern leaves dotted with tiny red rosebuds papered the wall. Red and bronze fabric covered two chairs and a couch, as well as the patterned Indian rug that lay beneath the low table between them.
“Sir Aaron, Miss Dunston, and Miss Lockhart, my lord,” the butler announced before moving aside to allow the trio to enter the room.
Lord Walcott set the book he had been reading on a side table and rose from his chair. “Good morning and welcome to Foxly Manor. Please sit.”
“Thank you for agreeing to see us, my lord,” Louisa said as she sat beside Ruth on the couch. “I know your time is important.”
The earl chuckled. “Yes well, I’ll always make room in my schedule for one of Mrs. Rutley’s students.”
Louisa could not help herself. She shot Sir Aaron a grin as he sat in the chair beside Lord Walcott.
“I understand you’re selling tickets to one of the productions at the theater.”
Louisa opened her mouth to give him the speech she had prepared, but another voice spoke first.
“I am, my lord,” Sir Aaron replied, much to Louisa’s irritation. “Barker fears attendance will be less than satisfactory, and I wanted to do what I can to help. After all, no gentleman can allow any man to suffer, especially one who provides the community with such a wonderful form of entertainment.”
Louisa sighed. The knight had conducted himself as a gentleman for all of half an hour. And not only was he rude, but he also grinned at her like an impudent child who had pushed past everyone to reach the front of the crowd. But upon seeing the smile Lord Walcott wore and the twinkle in his eye, she remained quiet.
“Is that so?” the earl asked as if this was news to him. “Do you know what I find interesting? The fact you’ve offered to help save the theater when you’re hoping to purchase the building to put in a gentlemen’s club.”
Mrs. Rutley had once said that life provides opportunities to everyone, but women must seize them the moment they became available. Otherwise, men would tread all over every woman to steal that moment of good fortune from her hands.
And now was one of those moments.
“Thatisquite interesting,” Louisa said as if the information were new to her. “One might even venture a guess that it is quite—how shall I say it—a parody? Yes, it appears to be precisely that.”
Sir Aaron’s eyes narrowed, and Louisa gave him a wink that made him chuckle.
The butler returned with a tea tray, and after serving, he left the room.
“I cannot say with any certainty what Barker’s intentions are with the theater,” the knight said as he picked up his teacup. “Regardless, I’m bound by a promise to do what I can to help. Not only as a knight but also as a gentleman. You’ll soon learn that I’m a man of my word, my lord.”
Lord Walcott crossed one leg over the other. “I admire your resolve, Sir Aaron, but as I said before when you approached me, I cannot in good conscience invest in this plan of yours.”
Louisa beamed. Until he turned that gaze on her.
“Although I respect your hope in keeping the theater as it is, I believe your fight may be futile.”
Louisa’s heart sank. The earl was a wise man, one well respected by the entire village. If he thought there was no hope, there likely was none.
Yet he surprised her with his next statement. “But if Barker decides to keep it, I’ll promise one hundred pounds toward any renovations.”
Unable to help herself, Louisa gaped at him. One hundred pounds? That was a goodly amount of money. Far more than she could have ever hoped to receive!
“Now, as to the tickets. I would like to purchase two. What are the dates of the performances?”
As Sir Aaron gave Lord Walcott his options, Louisa sighed. By showing restraint, she had emerged the victor. She would have to keep that in mind for the future.
After giving Sir Aaron the required money for the tickets, Lord Walcott stood, a clear dismissal. At the front door, he said, “Oh, I nearly forgot. Mr. Gilbert Lofting, a dear friend of mine, would like you to call. I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of scheduling a meeting for two o’clock.”