Free The Wicked Baron by Sarah Mallory Page B

The crowd’s applause alerted her to the fact that Madame Saqui had appeared. Carlotta tried to concentrate on the stocky little woman ascending the rope, but she was too aware of Darvell standing so close behind her; if she leaned back just a little, she would be resting against him. The temptation to do just that was so strong it frightened her. Her senses reeled, the blood was singing in her veins. She dare not turn to look at him, but half-expected to feel his hand on her back, or her neck. Anticipation sizzled through her—the thought of his fingers stealing around her waist, pulling her back against him, the touch of his lips on her cheek where a moment ago she had felt his warm breath…It shook her to realise how much she wanted it to happen. She wanted to scream with frustration.
    Mr Woollatt was directing her attention upwards, explaining how taut the rope must be, telling her of the special slippers Madame wore to grip the rope.
    ‘It is rumoured she is being paid one hundred guineas a week to perform here,’ he said, gazing up in rapt attention at the little figure above him.
    ‘That is nothing to a man of Woollatt’s fortune,’ Luke murmured in her ear. ‘You will be able to command your own private performance when you are his wife—ouch!’
    Carlotta smiled. Her heel encased in its soft kid boot had connected very neatly with Luke’s shin. It was a small victory, but it eased some of her tension.
    Mr Woollatt looked round. ‘Oh, is that you, Darvell? Demmed crush, ain’t it?’
    Carlotta kept her eyes resolutely upon Madame Saqui. She heard Woollatt saying, ‘Pray do not crowd the lady, there’s a good fellow. Ah, look, Saqui’s turning. Bravo, ma’am!’
    Carlotta joined in the general applause as Madame Saqui turned gracefully on her high perch. She jumped as a loud cannonade commenced, and a noisy display of fireworks lit up the sky. Madame Saqui moved easily to and fro on the rope, and began a graceful descent. The crowd cheered and roared for more and Carlotta risked a look behind her. Luke had gone.

Chapter Four

    ‘W ell, well, how exciting!’ exclaimed Lady Broxted. ‘Did you not think so, Carlotta?’
    ‘Yes indeed, Aunt. Even my uncle looked to be enjoying it. Is that not so, sir?’
    Lord Broxted allowed himself a small smile. ‘It was very unusual. I have not seen her before, but I believe she has performed at Drury Lane. A most enterprising female.’
    ‘But she was not very pretty,’ uttered Julia. ‘I thought she would be dainty, fairy-like.’
    ‘No, she was quite mannish,’ agreed Carlotta. ‘But very accomplished for all that. Shall we return to our supper box now, Aunt?’
    Lady Broxted tucked her hand into her husband’s arm. ‘Oh, I think we should take a stroll around the gardens first. The lamps look so pretty now it is dark. But there is no need for us all to stay together. Mrs Price, would you object if we allowed the younger ones to go off by themselves?’
    ‘Not in the least, ma’am!’
    Carlotta’s heart sank a little. ‘But surely there is no needfor us to go separately. I am sure you will know the most attractive walks, Aunt.’
    ‘But we will want to take a much more leisurely pace. No, my dear, let the viscount and Mr Woollatt take you about. There can be no harm in it, when there are so many people here.’
    ‘Yes, you can chaperon each other,’ cried Mrs Price, almost bustling them away.
    Carlotta turned to Julia for support, but her friend was looking positively starry-eyed at the prospect of walking through the gardens with Viscount Fairbridge, and Carlotta did not have the heart to spoil her evening. She resigned herself to accompanying Mr Woollatt and began to search for some topic of conversation. There was no lack, but since Mr Woollatt liked to turn everything into an educational lecture she soon found her mind wandering.
    ‘…of course, the dark walks were once notorious for salacious behaviour,’ Mr Woollatt remarked as he led