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“Yes,” he affirmed, turning to her.

She glanced around, realizing that they were the only ones there. “But… where are the other spectators?”

“There are none,” he explained. “I have rented the entire place. We have it all for ourselves.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” he chuckled then he turned toward the stage, still holding her hand in his.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as they awaited the start of the performance. And then, as if on cue, the lights dimmed, and the curtains parted to reveal a stage alive with energy and enchantment. Actors took to the stage, their voices filling the air with laughter and drama, transporting the small audience to another world.

James knew that she had recognized one of Shakespeare’s beloved comedies immediately.

“Oh, they are wonderful, aren’t they?” Penelope leaned closer to whisper, but she didn’t wait for James to respond. There was no need for him to. Her focus was once again on the stage.

Although the play was marvelous, James couldn’t quite focus on it. All he could see was Penelope by his side, captivated by the way her face lit up with delight at each twist and turn of the plot. He watched her laughter ring out like music in the air, her eyes sparkling with joy as she leaned forward in her seat, fully immersed in the enchanting world unfolding before her. Her expressions shifted with each emotion of the characters, her empathy and enthusiasm evident in every gesture and expression.

With each scene, James knew that he had chosen the perfect surprise for his wife. He delighted in the way her laughter filled the theatre, her happiness radiating like a beacon of light in the darkness he thought would be in his life forever. But there she was, saving him. As the final curtain fell, and the applause filled the air, James couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. He knew that he had brought joy to Penelope’s heart and that he had given her a moment of magic and wonder she would cherish forever.

“Did you like it?” he asked, on their way out of the theatre, after they had exchanged some pleasantries with the actors and thanked them for a wonderful time.

“Oh, I… I loved it!” Penelope beamed at him. “I don’t know how I could ever thank you for this incredible experience.”

“No need to thank me,” he assured. “I’m glad you had a good time. You deserved it.”

She smiled, but it was a sad smile. He wondered if he had perhaps said something wrong. “Is everything all right, Penelope?”

“Yes, yes,” she was quick to assure him, but that sadness lingered on her beautiful face. “It’s just… no one has ever gone to such trouble for me before.”

“Trouble?” he echoed. “It was no trouble at all. I consider it a pleasure to spoil you, my wife.”

She smiled at being called his wife. In fact, she smiled so beautifully that he considered addressing her like that all the time.

“All right, just don’t overdo it,” she teased as they walked back to the carriage.

“Would a third surprise be considered overly spoiling my wife?” he asked mischievously.

“A third surprise?” she gasped. “You cannot be serious!”

“But I am,” he chuckled. “In my defense, it is just a small surprise. And it is rather practical.”

“A practical surprise?” she reverberated.

“Yes,” he agreed. “The most practical of all three. A necessity, really. Maybe not even a surprise in the real sense of the word.”

“All right, all right,” she laughed. “But three is enough for one day. Really.”

“I promise, the third one is the last one,” he said, crossing his heart with his index finger.

“Where do we go to next?” she asked.

“Home,” he revealed.

CHAPTER22

“Iknow you want to ask me about the third surprise some more,” he teased her in the carriage. “But I won’t tell you.”

“I wasn’t going to ask,” she replied playfully. “I’ll be patient.”