Free Lucy Muir by The Imprudent Wager

gown edged in trim of an Egyptian motif worn over a petticoat of white satin trimmed in gold. She wore a gold net on her hair, and at her neck was her simple amber necklace. Melissa was clad in a high-waisted gown of white sarcenet which fell about her slender form in classical folds. She carried a large white swans-down muff and wore a fillet of amethysts in her curls. Sanders looked her charges over critically, making several minute adjustments to their costumes before she was satisfied.
    The Halcotts called for the cousins in their large town carriage, Mrs. Halcott looking well in a purple velvet robe and modest tiara of diamonds on her elaborately dressed hair. Their party arrived at Covent Garden unfashionably early so that Anne and Melissa might have the opportunity to look about the opera house before the performance began. As they entered the box, Anne was grateful for Mrs. Halcott’s foresight, for she found herself hard put not to gawk at the magnificence like the provincial she was. Gleaming chandeliers illuminated the interior brightly, and the tiers of boxes and galleries decorated in crimson, white and gold looked quite majestic.
    Soon, however, Anne’s attention was diverted from the furnishings by the people. The other boxes began to fill with women wearing glittering jewels, and the pit filled with rowdy young bucks and people from the lower classes. Mrs. Halcott informed them in a low voice of the identity of some of the other patrons, pointing out the many titled gentlemen present. A familiar head of silver-blonde hair in a box across from theirs caught Anne’s attention.
    “Who is the beautiful woman with the pale hair across from us?” she asked Mrs. Halcott, knowing quite well what the answer would be, and avoiding looking at Melissa.
    “She is Lady Parnell. And that is Lord Stanton, the Marquess of Talford, who has just joined her. He is quite rich and is very well-favored, but he is also very dissolute. Oh, dear,” she fretted, “he appears to have noticed Melissa and is looking this way.”
    Anne could not resist a glance to ascertain if Lord Stanton were indeed looking their way. She was not prepared for the thrill that went down her spine as she found herself looking directly into his eyes. He was standing behind Lady Parnell, and Anne could see he was impeccably clad in the requisite black silk knee breeches, white waistcoat, and black coat, a chapeau bras beneath his arm.
    “I hope he doesn’t ask to be introduced to Melissa between acts,” worried Mrs. Halcott. “I don’t know what I should do. Many of the highest-ranking hostesses don’t receive him, although he is close to the Prince.”
    Anne doubted that Lord Stanton would come to their box but, perversely, found herself wishing he would. Let him see that she was establishing Melissa in Society.
    This last became very clear after the first act, as the Halcotts’ box became full of Melissa’s admirers. Several gentlemen asked to be presented to her, not a few of whom were of the nobility. When she dared, Anne stole looks at Lord Stanton’s box, but he seemed totally absorbed in his beautiful companion, and never again did she catch his eye upon her.
    Anne was unaware that her stolen glances at Lord Stanton’s box had caught the attention of a dark-haired beauty sitting not far from Lord Stanton. Lady Conliffe, furious at seeing much of her usual court stopping in the Halcotts’ box, was observing them very closely, and noticed Anne’s apparent interest in Lord Stanton and his partner. Lady Conliffe had a very thoughtful look on her face when the second act began, and it remained throughout the opera.
    Anne, unaware of the close scrutiny she was under, enjoyed the remaining two acts of Handel’s Giulio Cesare thoroughly. She had a genuine love of music, and appreciated the beautiful voice of Gertrude Mara, who was playing the part of Cleopatra. Melissa, in common with most of the patrons, was more interested in observing the