The opera was a series of buzzing events. She'd always loved the opera even as a child. But she rarely ever went. She didn't want to be spend hours in an enclosed space with the countess and her daughters. She'd instead spent her nights with Eunice and the sharp tongued Mrs Rooservelt who lived in a nearby cottage . The two women had been devastated when she'd died four months ago. She'd had such stories to tell and she'd taught them how to cook everything by snapping at them and calling them names.
She'd made them eat all of whatever they cooked that was bad. Missy liked music especially. She couldn't play a single tune on the violin or pianoforte but she was much more better at singing.
The countess kept her so close and smiled so often at her since they had left the house ,it was disconcerting. She knew it was all an act. The countess despised her for getting the best match in England but rather liked the connection and name she'd make for herself. Her sister's stared at her with open disdain and avoided speaking to her. As if she cared. If she'd known marrying Chadwick was the key to shutting her sister's up, she'd have compromised him a long time ago.
She looked around for Belmont. He'd said he would be attending but his box was still empty. Up ahead , the Duke's box sat like a large , fashionable island. He, his mother and his aunt were inside. His aunt was leaning over the dowager to say something to him. His mother looked annoyed. Suddenly his eyes moved up and met hers. She froze . Without blinking, his eyes trailed down her body then met hers again . Then he turned away. She slumped back in her seat and hugged herself feeling the goose flesh on the strip of bare flesh above her gloves.
As the show progressed she tried to concentrate so hard . She liked the opera. She liked music. The singer was beautiful. And yet she stared at Chadwick throughout the first half. The singer concluded her song with a curtsy and the break began.
"The duke is approaching. Smile girls" the countess ordered .
Missandrei didn't need to be told that he was approaching. She'd been watching his every move. She wondered how he sat unmoving and mute throughout the performance.
"Lady Fensworth" he bowed over the countess' hand ,nodded brusquely at the countess' daughters before fixing the full wait of his gaze on Missy. She imagined he could see her soul. "Lady Missandrei" he kissed her gloved hand. Was it her imagination or did she imagine that he lingered longer than necessary. Then he rose up to his formidable height again" I hope you are enjoying the show?"
From the corner of her eye she noticed someone watching her. She turned . Jon was looking between her and the duke with narrowed eyes. How had she not noticed when he'd arrived? Stupid question.
"Yes. Thank you your Grace . I enjoy music though I'm afraid I don't play any instrument"she gave a small apologetic shrug.
"Call me Luke. At least when it's just us" he looked away as if he was - nervous. It couldn't he possible. What did he have to be nervous about?
"If i do that then you'll have to call me Missy"
He frowned "But your name is Missandrei"
" Everyone calls me Missy except the countess, my sisters-" she stopped then grinned "Not everyone after all"
And a miracle happened. The Duke's mouth curved up a tiny inch at one corner .
"We would go on a ride tomorrow?" he asked
"In a phaeton?" she grimaced "no"
"no?" his eyebrows shot up ruining his facial composure. He looked baffled at her response. Ah , the mighty duke had never been refused anything in his life.
"You didn't ask . You ordered. Nobody orders me around . And you drive like an old lady with athritis. You can instead come and call on me by ten tomorrow. The second part is beginning. Enjoy the show . Your grace"
Then she returned to her seat leaving the grace stunned and at a loss of word. All the while her heart was beating in excitement, fear , giddiness and anxiety. He was the duke of Chadwick. Who knew what form his revenge would come in .
" Tomorrow then lady Missandrei" he replied before walking away. She waited for him to walk far away before slumping down in her seat and grinning. The Duke had clearly called her a lady sarcastically. She watched him progress to his box. His legs looked so powerful.
Luke wished Missandrei wouldn't look at him so. She looked at him like he was fascinating. There was no fascinating thing about him. People looked at him and saw his title, his wealth . Missandrei looked at him like she wanted to peel his layers away and devour what was inside. He'd kept his eyes glued to nothing for the whole first half all the while knowing she was watching him . Then he had walked up to her and inhaled her right Jasmine scent . He had felt light headed for a moment. And then confused.
For some unexplainable reason he had wanted his name on her lips. Luke. His real name. The one nobody ever called him. He remembered how she had squared her shoulders and announced that nobody ordered her around then ordered him to call on her. Ah. She was like fire. Bold ,warm and bright. The countess was saying something to her. He grabbed the opportunity to look at her without being caught. Her throat was bare and unadorned. He didn't want to put jewels around that throat. Didn't want it to hidden. Even in the demure dress and her hair up , there was still something quite untamed about her. Some curls escaping and others threatening to follow suit.
"Did you tell her you'd take her for a drive?" his mother asked
"Yes . I did" and it didn't go well with her
"Very good"
"I will instead call on her tomorrow"
His mother's head snapped towards him faster than his aunt's could " Excuse me?"
"lady Missandrei refused to go on a drive with me and instead said I may call on her" he announced dead pan.
His mother looked like she had swallowed something bad. His aunt was fidgeting with her hands.
"you should have put that ungrateful chit in her place"
He nearly snorted. Nearly" she's practicing how to be haughty enough to be a duchess. I rather like this performance mother. I'd like to watch it in silence"
He faced forward . But not before seeing Lady Hulsbury's face go white. His mother had been right. The red head chit was bad influence through and through. One conversation with her and he was already leaving his mother speechless.
That night , he did something he hadn't done in a long time. Ten years to be precise. He played the grand piano in the dusty attic of his home.