The rest of the opera passed quickly and almost too soon did Arabella find herself stretching as the actors took their final bow and the curtain was lowered. Despite her initial dislike of the lead actor she'd managed to enjoy the show.
"Well that was most agreeable I think," Grace remarked as the two couples stood up.
"Indeed, I am pleased we saw it," Arabella replied. "What did you think of it Bertram?" She turned to her husband.
"Oh yes, very nice indeed," he smiled somewhat hollowly, smoothing down his hair. "Shall we collect our coats before the scramble starts?" He asked Lord Gaskarth.
"A very prudent idea," Lord Gaskarth replied and the two couples filed out and into the atrium where they managed to retrieve the men's coats with little difficulty.
They stepped out into the evening air which had turned comparatively chilly since they'd entered the theatre and Arabella drew her shawl tighter around her shoulders.
"I told Jeffrey to pick us up at half ten," Alexander looked at his pocket watch, frowning slightly.
"What time is it now?" His wife asked.
"Almost a quarter to," Bertram replied, his own pocket watch in hand.
"Oh dear, it's not like him to be late," Grace knit her brows, shivering slightly. "You don't suppose something has gone awry at the house?"
"I am sure he is just running a little late. Why don't you two wait in the theatre, it's warmer in there," Lord Gaskarth said and Arabella and Grace agreed, grateful to be back out of the chill.
"I do hope he arrives soon." Arabella said once they were inside.
"I cannot imagine what can be keeping him. If he is not here in the next ten minutes I shall ask Alexander to fetch us a cab. You and Bertram must be up early tomorrow for your train, isn't that so?"
" I am not concerned about that so much as what could have happened to your driver."
"Oh dear, my brooch is gone, I think I left it in the box!" Grace's hand had landed on her chest where Arabella had noticed a large silver and ivory brooch had been pinned earlier.
"We must go and look," Arabella started towards the theatre doors.
"I hope it is not lost, it was my grandmother's you know," Grace followed Arabella through the throng of people.
"Did you have it during intermission?"
"Yes, I remember Lady Ebert complimented me on it," they made their way back to the box and Arabella pushed open the door.
The two women entered and started searching for the missing brooch under and between chairs, on the ground until—
"Oh thank goodness!" Grace let out a happy sigh of relief as she bent down and plucked the brooch off the floor.
"Perhaps it is a lucky thing after all that your driver has been delayed," Arabella remarked as Grace pinned the brooch securely onto her bodice.
"Every cloud has its lining I suppose. But we should get back in case the carriage has arrived. I shouldn't want the men to worry," Grace hurried out of the box, Arabella close on her heels.
They reached the lobby and saw that Lord Gaskarth and Bertram were speaking with man whom Arabella recognized as Jeffrey the overdue driver.
"Oh thank goodness he's-" Grace began but before she could continue they saw people were staring at the trio.
YOU ARE READING
An Acceptable Marriage (BOOK 5)
Historical Fiction(sequel to Rushbrooke End) Arabella Thorpe has always dreamed of marriage and becoming the wife of a great lord. When she finds herself in a betrothal with the handsome Bertram Cook, Baron Filbert, she is beyond delighted. As their marriage progress...
