Diane Gaston - Regency Improprieties - Innocence and Impropriety / The Vanishing Viscountess

Flynn watched Tanner touch Rose’s arm. His own hand tingled, as if it were he, not Tanner, who touched her. He stretched and flexed his fingers, trying to dispel the illusion, but it did no good, because Tanner touched her again, escorting her out of the box on his arm. He had known it would be difficult to see her with Tanner. He had just not anticipated how difficult.

There was no doubt in Flynn’s mind that he’d chosen well when he’d picked King’s Theatre as the place for Tanner to meet Rose. Tanner had grumbled—the man hated opera—but Flynn knew that this place would be more precious to Rose than a whole cask of emerald rings. She would never forget the man who gave her King’s Theatre.

Flynn ought to be congratulating himself all round.

But every time Tanner had looked at Rose or leaned towards her or spoke to her it was like daggers were being thrust into Flynn’s flesh. He was surprised that the champagne he’d consumed had not spurted out of him like from a water skin poked with holes.

They found Tanner’s carriage among the line of vehicles outside. Tanner lifted Rose into it, holding her by the waist. He assisted Katy in the same manner. Flynn was the last inside, taking his seat next to Katy. His gaze met Rose’s, and she smiled, gratitude shining in her eyes.

He would not regret giving her this evening, no matter that it signified the loss of a brief, fanciful, mad dream.

The carriage made the short trip to Bennet Street in good time. As it pulled up in front of the gaming-house, Katy said, ‘You must all come up for some supper. Madame Bisou has arranged a nice treat.’

‘But—’ Rose glared at Flynn.

He shook his head. He knew nothing of this.

Tanner gave the answer, agreeable as always. ‘Of course we will. Very generous of the madame. ‘

So they all entered Madame Bisou’s house and were escorted to a private parlour. The Madame was there to greet them.

‘Good to see you, chérie. ’ She offered her cheek for Tanner to kiss. ‘You have not favoured us with your presence in an age.’

‘That is so.’ He smiled apologetically. ‘I must rectify that, mustn’t I?’

Like two old friends, Tanner chatted with Madame Bisou while she ushered the others into chairs, joining them herself.

They were served cold meats and fruits and cakes and more wine. Tanner began to mellow from the drink.

‘And what do you think of our Rose?’ Madame Bisou asked him.

Rose stared at her plate, a blush staining her cheeks.

Tanner gazed at her. ‘I think she is as lovely as her name.’

The words twisted in Flynn’s gut.

Tanner continued to gaze at Rose in frank admiration. ‘Do you sing at Vauxhall tomorrow night?’ he asked. He gestured to the clock on the mantel. Dawn was not long away. ‘Tonight, I mean.’

‘I do, sir,’ she responded in a quiet voice.

Tanner continued, ‘Would you do me the honor of sharing a meal with me at the gardens tomorrow? We can arrange something, can we not, Flynn?’

Flynn nodded. He could arrange whatever Lord Tannerton wished. That was his job.

Rose glanced at Flynn with a silent panic he did not comprehend. She turned to Tanner. ‘I hope you will not mind, sir, if we include the others present in that invitation? Miss Green, Mr Flynn and Madame Bisou?’

Flynn admired her skill in turning the invitation around, making it appear as if chiding Tanner for poor manners. Her reticence towards Tanner still bewildered him, however. Now that she’d met him, she could have no further objection to him.

Flynn noticed Katy flashing her eyes at Rose. Apparently Katy did not understand such behaviour any better than he did. Rose gave her a plaintive look in return.

Tanner’s face showed dismay, but he answered in his typical affable tone. ‘They shall be included if you wish it.’

Katy rolled her eyes.

Madame Bisou put a hand on Tanner’s arm. ‘Sweet of you to include me, chérie, but I have a business to attend to.’ She stood. ‘In fact, I must check on the gaming room now. I wish I could accept your invitation.’ She smiled at Rose. ‘I miss hearing our Rose sing.’

The connection between Rose and this mistress of a gaming hell was not lost on Flynn. Rose must not always have been under her father’s thumb. The whole thing was a mystery, but the real mystery was why it disturbed Flynn so greatly.

Flynn and Tanner stood to bid Madame Bisou adieu, thanking her for the meal. She tweaked Tanner’s chin playfully and headed for the door, stopping to look back at him. ‘Come play my tables, Lord Tannerton. Come join your friend Pomroy. I believe he is here tonight.’

‘Pomroy is here?’ said Tanner with interest.

Before the gentlemen could sit again, Katy stood, stifling a yawn that did not look quite real. ‘I hope you will forgive me,’ she said in a ladylike voice. ‘But I must bid you goodnight as well.’ She curtsied to Tanner. ‘It was a pleasure, sir.’

He gave her a charming smile. ‘I will see you in a few hours, Miss Green.’

Katy grinned back. ‘You will, won’t you?’

Rose also got up from her chair. ‘I should retire as well.’

Tanner looked disappointed. ‘Must you?’

She nodded. ‘I must get some rest if I am to perform.’

‘May I escort you to your room?’ Tanner asked, somewhat hopefully.

Flynn flinched, preparing for her to say yes.

Rose barely looked at Tanner. ‘I do not live here, sir.’

‘That is so.’ Tanner responded. ‘Flynn said you live with your father. Do we return you to your father or do you stay here this night?’

She glanced at Flynn, not Tanner. ‘I should prefer to return home.’

Tanner’s face fell, but he recovered quickly. ‘We will take you home then, will we not, Flynn?’ he said in a cheerful voice.

‘Indeed,’ Flynn responded, trying very hard to keep his voice bland.

If Rose had allowed Tanner to come with her to a room here, her acceptance of his interest would have been secured, and only the financial arrangement would remain for Flynn to manage. The matter would be at an end.

So how was it he was relieved she had not accompanied Tanner to a bedchamber abovestairs?

He followed Tanner as he walked with Rose out of the parlour. As they passed the game room, Tanner hesitated. ‘I should like to greet my friend who is here.’ He turned to Rose. ‘Would you care to come in the game room a moment, Miss O’Keefe? Or would you prefer to have Flynn see you home directly?’

‘I prefer to go home,’ Rose replied. She extended her hand to Tanner. ‘Goodnight, sir.’

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the air above it. ‘I shall look forward to seeing you at Vauxhall.’

‘At Vauxhall,’ she said.

Flynn descended the stairway with Rose and collected their things from the footman. Neither of them spoke. Flynn ought to have manoeuvred Tanner to take Rose home. He could have done so with a judicious word. Dear God, why had he not?

He had done this to himself. He wanted to be alone with her in the dark confines of the carriage.

Rose felt a flare of excitement as Flynn assisted her into the carriage. She had been pining to speak with him, to thank him for this wonderful night. To share with him her reaction to the opera. She had so many questions.

He did not sit beside her, but rather took the back-facing seat. She could barely make out his features in the dim light that filtered in from the carriage lamps outside.

As soon as the carriage moved, she leaned toward him. ‘Flynn, thank you for this night. I do not know how to express my gratitude.’

‘My duty,’ he responded curtly.

His stiffness took her aback.