Hazel was tempted to take the offer of traveling around but she remembered that the Duke had told her that they were heading somewhere later. "Thank you but I think I will stay here." "Alright. Don't hesitate to tell me if you have a change of mind," he said and she nodded then he excused himself.
Before he could leave, he said," I almost forgot. It is required for you to have a personal maid that will be helping you with your daily activities. Anyone you have in mind or comfortable with?"
"Yes. I want Charlotte. She works in the kitchen," she said immediately with a smile. "Alright," he said and later, he continued to say," I have to ask you to be careful milady though." "Careful about what?" "About everything especially the people surrounding you. Not everyone is as good as they seem to be and not to forget, not everyone is happy with your current status," he said and she nodded as she pondered over his words. She realized that he had a point in what he said.
Not long after, the door was opened and Charlotte walked in smiling.
"You chose me as your personal maid?" she asked. "Of course. Who else could I choose?" she asked. "I'm glad you chose me," she said. "What are you doing standing there? Take a seat," said Hazel. "It is inappropriate," she replied. "Come on. You are my friend," she said and Charlotte reluctantly took a seat on the chair that was next to the dressing mirror.
"You look beautiful," she said. "Thank you," she replied before saying," I was told that I will be spending time here but it's so boring, sitting without doing anything."
"I understand but you have to get used to it. We can take a walk around the manor if you want," she suggested. "No. I honestly fear going out of this room," she said.
"You have to get used to it. But hey, the Duke really stood up for you in the hall. You are definitely someone important to him," she said.
"You think so?" she asked. "Of course. Didn't you hear the way he defended you?"
Hazel spent the entire day with Charlotte until it came to evening.
Cooper then ordered Charlotte to prepare Hazel since they were heading out with the Duke as planned.
Hazel sat in the chair in front of the mirror as Charlotte worked on her. "Don't you think this dress is showing too much?" she asked as she looked at her exposed cleavage.
"You look good in the dress and perhaps, you should learn to be comfortable in such clothes because it's what women of your status dress in," she said as she worked on her hair. After styling her hair, she clipped it with two pins and asked," How do you like that?" "It's good," she said and Charlotte reached for red paint before smearing it on her lips. "Now you look gorgeous," she said.
"Thank you," she replied and Charlotte finally placed a necklace before clipping it at the back of her neck. "You are now ready to go," she said after pulling away and Hazel stood up.
Raven looked at the woman who was sitting next to him in the carriage. He observed her lips that were tinted red and he also realized the way she had pressed them tightly. His eyes travelled to her long neck and he saw how she swallowed as if sensing his gaze on her. His eyes then settled on her exposed cleavage.
As if she had had enough, she looked at him and asked," Why are you looking at me like that?" "Like how?" "Like how you were doing back then," she replied.
"You want to know?" he asked smiling mischievously and she got suspicious of him. To be honest, she missed his teasing and mischievous smiles. Hesitantly, she nodded her head at his question although she knew that it was tricky.
As she had guessed, she saw him push abit until he was just next to her. He then placed his fingers at her neck, trailing them as he felt the softness and her breath hitched at the action.
Before he could say or do anything more, they heard the coachman say," We are here your grace." The carriage then came to a halt and Raven straightened in his seat.
Hazel released a sigh of relief as she felt that her heart had started picking up it's race.
The coachman opened the door and Raven descended the carriage before helping Hazel down. Her eyes caught sight of the large building and when she saw the word,' Noble crest theatre' her eyes lit up. She had always wanted to come to the theatre but hadn't gotten the chance.
"You like it?" he asked and she immediately nodded.
"Atticus," came a voice and they turned to see the Viscount and Viscountess making way to where they were. "Grayson," Raven called and Hazel looked at the Viscountess who smiled at her, and she smiled back.
She was dressed in a red gown and she noticed that her baby bump had grown bigger from the last time she saw her.
Hazel could tell that she was looking healthier even though it was night.
"I hope we haven't made you wait," said Raven.
"Not at all. We too have just arrived," replied Alvara. "That is good," he replied and noticed Audrey giving Hazel a questioning look. He placed his hand at her back and said," This is Ms Winston."
Hazel bowed her head at them in respect.
"Nice to meet you Ms Winston," he said. "The pleasure is mine Mr Grayson," she replied and he nodded. "Let's get inside. The play is about to start," said Alvara.
The four headed towards the grand theatre and Hazel couldn't help but get awed by everything. All the men and women were dressed in high class clothes as they made way inside the theatre.
There was a long line at the entrance but when they saw the Duke and the Graysons, they made way for them and they entered.
"We want a private booth. The four of us," Audrey told one of the men who were at the entrance.
"Right away Mr Grayson. Please come with me."
The four were led to a private booth where they sat in preparation for the play.