Page 32 of Lady Farah Creates a Scandal (The Season of Secrets #2)

T he Royal Opera House glittered with candlelight, the air thick with anticipation and the heady scent of perfume.

In the Wolfarth box, Farah sat rigidly, acutely aware of the tension surrounding her.

To her left, Rockwell lounged with deceptive casualness, his knee occasionally brushing against hers.

To her right, Ivy sat occasionally talking with Tiffany on her other side.

Wolf sat behind them with Lucien and Courtney.

Courtney sat like a statue, waiting to be knocked over.

“Can you remember attending the opera?” she heard Wolf ask.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you all, but I don’t,” Lucien replied. The silence was deafening. Then he gave a loud sigh. “My apologies,” he said, then looked at Courtney, who simply smiled at him, but she saw the worry deep in her eyes.

Wolf replied, “No. It’s I who should apologize. It was a silly question. But I suppose we all live in hope.”

This time, Lucien looked directly at Courtney. “I suggest everyone forgo the idea of a miraculous remembrance. I can’t and won’t remember.”

Farah squeezed Courtney’s hand but she merely shook it off. Her friend’s opera glasses were trained on a box across the way and she appeared not to be listening to the men.

Ivy tapped her fan on Farah’s arm to get her attention, and Farah leaned in to hear her words. “Tiffany’s hunch about the Armley shares has paid off. Our investments are booming. I can’t wait for the next meeting of the club. I’m sure we will beat the men.”

“Valora is hosting the meeting, isn’t she? She used to prefer to head to Claire’s townhouse to see if she could catch a few minutes with Claire’s brother, Fane. I wonder if this means she’s given up the dream of taming the rake.”

Ivy nodded. “I even saw her flirting with Lord Norton at the ball and look—” Ivy pointed across the theatre to the box across from them. “She’s sitting in his box with his mother. Claire’s with them.” Ivy waved and watched Claire wave back.

“That is interesting. Do you think this is Claire’s doing? She’s tried to get Valora to understand her brother is not the man Valora thinks he is for a long time. Claire has always opposed Valora’s infatuation with Fane.”

“Well, he is a rake of the first order,” Farah said. “He goes through mistresses like he goes through handkerchiefs. But I’m not sure who Claire is protecting, Valora or Fane.” And the two women laughed.

“Valora doesn’t need any protection. She always does as she pleases.

She’s the ton’s darling, breezing through society like an exotic butterfly, all of her sins forgiven due to her beauty.

Perhaps Claire is more concerned for Fane.

I think that’s what makes them a good match, if Fane would only stop and take notice. ”

Farah laughed in agreement. “Valora will make him take notice. You wait and watch.”

“Either way, I can’t wait for our next meeting so we can learn what is afoot.

Surely Valora is not so cruel as to lead Lord Norton on.

He’s a nice man, although his mother seems to have him under her tight control.

” Ivy shook her head. “She’s turned down numerous proposals and is getting quite the reputation. ”

Before Farah could reply, the music began, and soon the ladies were engrossed in the story unfolding before them.

As the opera progressed, the skin at the back of Farah’s neck prickled. She glanced behind her to find Lucien sitting ramrod straight, his gaze flickering between the stage and her with unsettling frequency. Worse still, Courtney appeared to notice Lucien’s stare.

Rockwell sat up straighter and seemed to sense the tension. “How did Blackstone take your refusal to marry Lord Franklin?” Rockwell’s question made her relax.

“We had a pleasant talk. He’s accepted that I wish to select my husband and he will help me if I need it.”

“That’s wonderful. No need for you to create a scandal now. What persuaded him?”

She smiled at him. “Speaking up. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But I didn’t have the confidence before to challenge him. Our trip helped me. You helped me. I guess I grew up.”

He pressed his thigh against her leg. “You have grown up. Into a beautiful woman.”

She looked away. Why did he keep confusing her? But at the moment, she’d accept his attention because Courtney was looking at her and Lucien.

Farah could feel Courtney’s eyes boring into the back of her head from the row behind. She resisted the urge to squirm, focusing instead on the opera unfolding before them. Puccini’s Madame Butterfly had never felt quite so tragic.

As Cio-Cio San’s heartbreaking aria filled the air, Farah felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned to look behind her only to find Lucien leaning close, his breath warm against her ear.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured. “Though not as beautiful as present company.”

Farah’s cheeks flamed. She was acutely aware of Rockwell stiffening beside her, of Courtney’s sharp intake of breath. “Yes, quite,” she managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper.

The rest of the first act passed in a blur of music and mounting tension. When the curtain finally fell for intermission, Farah felt as though she might snap from the strain.

“Farah…” Courtney’s voice rang out, overly bright, “would you accompany me to the ladies’ retiring room?”

Farah nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape. As she rose, she caught Rockwell’s concerned gaze. She gave him a small, reassuring smile before following Courtney out of the box.

The ladies’ retiring room was mercifully empty when they arrived. Courtney immediately rounded on Farah, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“What’s going on, Farah?” she demanded, her voice trembling. “Is there…is there something between you and Lucien?”

Farah’s heart clenched at the pain in her friend’s voice. “No, Courtney, I swear it. There’s nothing between us.”

Courtney’s lower lip quivered. “But I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The way he leaned in to whisper in your ear. He never looks at me that way anymore. He is so reserved and awkward with me. It’s as if he feels obligated, and I don’t want that for him, or me.”

“Oh, Courtney.” Farah reached out, taking her friend’s hands in hers. “Lucien is…confused. He’s latching onto familiarity, that’s all. You know I would never…”

“But that’s just it”—Courtney interrupted, a tear slipping down her cheek—“I know nothing anymore. The man I loved, the man I mourned for five years, is sitting right there in that box and yet he might as well be a stranger. And now he’s looking at my best friend the way he used to look at me.”

Farah felt her own eyes welling up. “I’m so sorry, Courtney. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you.”

Courtney pulled away, pacing the small room. “Is he interested in you, Farah? Be honest with me, please. I need to know.”

Farah hesitated, torn between honesty and the desire to protect her friend’s feelings. “I…I think he might be,” she admitted softly. “But Courtney, you must believe me when I say I have no interest in him. My heart belongs to Rockwell.”

Courtney stopped pacing, turning to face Farah with red-rimmed eyes. “And what if Lucien decides his heart belongs to you? What am I supposed to do then?”

The raw anguish in Courtney’s voice broke something inside Farah. She crossed the room in two quick strides, enveloping her friend in a tight embrace.

“Then we’ll face it together,” she whispered fiercely. “You’re my dearest friend, Courtney. Nothing and no one will ever change that. If Lucien can’t see what an amazing woman you are, then he doesn’t deserve you. But I’m sure if you give him time, he’ll see the woman he fell in love with.”

Courtney clung to Farah, her body shaking with silent sobs. “I just want him to remember me,” she whispered brokenly. “To remember us. Is that too much to ask?”

She had to lie. It was too much to ask, because Farah doubted Lucien would ever remember.

Farah stroked Courtney’s hair, her own tears falling freely now.

“It’s not too much at all,” she soothed.

It appeared lying came so easily now. “And who knows? Maybe his memories will return. But even if they don’t, that doesn’t mean you can’t build new ones together. ”

Courtney pulled back slightly, wiping at her eyes. “You really think so?”

Farah nodded, managing a watery smile. “I do. The Lucien I’ve come to know may not remember his past, but he’s still kind and honorable.

Give him time, Courtney. Can you imagine what it’s like for him?

To have all these people around him who say they know him, but he cannot remember.

That is why he’s become a bit fixated on me.

I helped him in his hour of need and he feels safe with me.

He doesn’t have to pretend. I know his story and I’ve accepted him and his daughter. ”

Courtney nodded and dried her eyes. “I’ll have patience. But if he and you want to be together…”

“I don’t want him like that, Courtney. Be patient. Let him get to know you again. And in the meantime, I’ll do everything in my power to discourage any misplaced affections.”

Courtney let out a shaky laugh. “What would I do without you, Farah?”

“Let’s hope you never have to find out,” Farah replied, giving her friend another squeeze. “Now, what do you say we fix our faces and go show those gentlemen what they’re missing?”

As they turned to the mirror, repairing the damage done by their tears, Farah caught Courtney’s eye in the reflection. “I love you, you know,” she said softly. “No man will ever come between us. I promise.”

Courtney’s smile, though tremulous, was genuine. “I love you, too. Thank you for being my friend and being honest with me.”

Arm in arm, they made their way back to the box, their bond stronger than ever despite the emotional storm brewing. As they took their seats, Farah caught Rockwell’s questioning glance. She gave him a subtle nod, silently communicating that all was well.