Before Liars Loved (Before Series, Book 3)

Libertines

↫Mischief in Mayfair↬

Don Giovanni is premiering at the opera tonight, so perhaps it is the perfect opportunity to highlight the seducers and rakes among us. Lord Hawthorne, for example, was last seen at the Bennett ball. He was chasing the poor Lady Penelope around for the entire evening, barely giving her the time to even stop for a glass of cider. How is it that such gentlemen cannot catch the signs of an intentionally elusive maiden?

-Madame Mischief

For the first time in her life, Scarlett was definitely not enjoying her time at the opera. The melodies, the lyrics, the stories...they were all escaping her this evening. She wasn't sure how to connect to the music when her thoughts continuously strayed toward the man sitting beside her. Scarlett knew she shouldn't be distracted considering he wasn't actually doing anything, but his presence was annoying enough.

As always, Leo was an incorrigible flirt this evening, his usual ways holding true as he carried on banter with Emilia and Adelaide. Honestly, he should have a higher sense of decorum in the presence of the Queen of England, even if the woman was relatively relaxed for a monarch. The man should be downright embarrassed.

Scarlett shook her head before refocusing on the singers on stage. It was nearing the end of the first act, and Scarlett had lost count of the women that Don Giovanni had attempted to seduce. The music was beautiful, but the leading man was nothing more than a pompous idiot.

Only paying half attention, Scarlett jumped at the loud crash that rose from the orchestra, timed perfectly with Don Ottavio pulling his sword on Don Giovanni. He narrowly missed the man as he jutted the presumably fake weapon forward.

Scarlett was even more startled to find that a warm hand was now enveloping her own gloved fingers. Glancing down, Scarlett watched in fascination as Leo rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand in soothing circles. Such an inappropriate gesture, one she should surely yank herself away from, but Scarlett found she could not move.

Checking to her right, Leo sat idly, watching the opera whilst casually holding her hand. He continued to trace lazy circles across her glove-covered flesh.

Well, now Scarlett really could not focus on the opera. She became preoccupied with the internal dilemma of what to do with Leo's hand. It should not be this complicated. All that was required was to break his grasp. But the last time anyone had shown her this kind of offhand affection was...well, never.

No, Scarlett scolded herself firmly. That was precisely what she had thought when Leo called on her the morning after her asthma attack, and then she'd learned he hadn't been there for mere concern or affection after all. The reminder spurred Scarlett into action, and she pulled her hand quickly from Leo's grasp.

She could not be certain if he paid the rebuke any attention. Scarlett kept her eyes and ears firmly trained on the stage. The notes and the bellowing Italian lyrics threatened to tip over the edge of a grand crescendo. The beat of the music matched the sudden pounding of her heart. But all too soon, it broke off, the music coming to a full stop as the curtains dropped to meet the smooth, wooden floors.

The act was over. Of the play, that is.

Scarlett's act would never end.

She quickly excused herself as soon as it became appropriate to do so, slipping past Addie and Theo and through the curtained doorway. She didn't bother checking to see if Leo was following. Or even watching.

Walking through the throngs of people who were similarly flooding the corridor, Scarlet attempted to make it to the powder room before a whole horde of other women did. She was only paces away from her destination when a hand grabbed her elbow.