After a few days, her own distress about the event was drowned out by the frenzy over the upcoming ball. Fortunately, it was a frenzy that she did not have to endure alone. Mary came calling a couple of days before the ball, with Mrs. Griffin, much to Rose’s delight, so that they could go together to collect the new dresses they had purchased.
They chatted excitedly on the way to the seamstress’s shop, with Mrs. Griffin looking on with affectionate amusement.
Rose carefully avoided mentioning the incident at the theater. This was the first real distraction from her terrible thoughts of that night, and she did not wish to dampen the atmosphere with her dear friends by bringing up the subject.
The seamstress was just putting the finishing touches on Rose’s dress when they arrived. As they waited, the three women wandered around the shop and looked at the items within.
Rose was fondling a particularly soft, silky piece of cloth, when she noticed Mary’s eyes locked firmly on her. Rose looked at her with wide eyes.
“You know,” Mary said, barely attempting to sound casual. “You have not once mentioned Lord Elbrook since we saw him at the teahouse.”
Rose blushed and hid a smile.
In truth, she had had little time to think about Daniel since their meeting, and when her thoughts did stray from the theater incident, they always wandered to the Specter. She was still not quite ready to voice her intensifying interest in the masked actor, however, because she was still very conflicted about him.
“You and I have not seen each other since then,” Rose said. It was the truth, and Mary seemed satisfied with the vague explanation. Her eyes went from shrewd to excited.
“Well, he certainly seemed to be quite interested in you,” Mary said with a giggle. “He hardly seemed to even notice that I was there.”
Rose laughed.
“Are you jealous?” Rose teased.
It was Mary’s turn to laugh.
“Certainly not,” she said. “Although, he is very handsome and charming.”
“So you’ve said,” Rose said.
“And how fortunate that you will see him at the ball,” Mary said.
“Will Lord Varkus be attending, as well?” Rose asked, raising her eyebrows at her friend.
Mary’s cheeks reddened. She shrugged, but her eyes were sparkling.
“I do hope so,” she said dreamily.
The women browsed in silence for several moments. Mary was, no doubt, lost in thought about her would-be suitor, and Rose’s thoughts drifted once more to the Specter.
She was still thrilled to dance with Daniel at the ball, but she could not help feeling a sense of longing knowing that the Specter would not be in attendance. Without realizing it, Rose sighed aloud.
“What’s the matter?” Mary asked, her brows furrowed.
Rose shook her head and smiled, mentally cursing herself.
“I was just daydreaming,” she said quickly.
Mary nodded, studying Rose with scrutiny.
“How have things been since the trouble at the theater?” she asked. Mrs. Griffin ceased her own browsing at Mary’s words and looked at Rose intently.
Rose felt the color drain from her face. Of course, Mary would be interested in the incident. She was, after all, Rose’s best friend, and Rose felt slightly guilty for having not mentioned it sooner, despite her reasons for having not done so.
“Oh, we should not ruin such a fine day by discussing that awful mess,” Rose said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Mary stared at Rose, but her expression softened. She took Rose’s hand and smiled.
“I do not mean to upset you by mentioning it,” Mary said. “But I have been quite worried about you and your father since it happened. I just wanted to ensure that you are alright. It must have been awful.”
Rose sighed and nodded. It had been much more than awful, but thankfully, Mary was not a regular theater attendee, and had not been there that night.
“It was utterly terrifying,” Rose said. “But fortunately, no one was seriously injured.”
Mary nodded fervently.
“It was very fortunate, indeed,” Mary agree. “I believe that I would never again set foot in a theater, had I experienced such an event.”
Rose tried to lighten the mood with a laugh.
“You rarely set foot in a theater now, as it is,” she teased.
“Oh, and you wonder why?” Mary retorted.
Rose rolled her eyes.
“Now, you know perfectly well that things like that very rarely happen,” Rose chided. “And the patrons who love the theater as much as Father and I do will be thrilled to begin attending again, as soon as we reopen.”
Mary’s mouth fell open, and she stared at Rose silently for several moments.
“Your father plans to reopen the theater?” she asked, her voice incredulous. “After such a terrible thing happened?”
Rose blinked and looked at Mary in bewilderment.
“Of course he is,” she said. “The theater is his business. We both love that theater. Why on earth would we not reopen?”
Mary looked at Rose as though she were going mad right before her eyes. After several more moments of silent incredulity, she shook her head.
“I will never understand being so interested or invested in the theater,” Mary said. “I love you dearly, Rose, but I would rather prepare for, and attend, balls and social events, especially where there are marriageable men than to attend the theater.”
Rose smiled wanly at Mary. She knew that her friend did not mean to cruel, and she was aware of her friend’s disinterest in the theater. She had never faulted Mary for her opinions before, and she did not in that moment, either.
“And I would rather help Father run the theater than to suffer through tiring social situations and dances and be overwhelmed by every eligible man in the ton,” Rose said gently. “But I love you, and I would never think to tell you that your interests were dumb or silly.”
Realization dawned on Mary’s face, and she rushed forward and embraced Rose.
“Oh, darling,” she said. “I did not mean… that is, what I meant was…” Mary trailed off, her words getting tangled as she grew more embarrassed.
After a moment, Mary slowly released Rose and looked her in the eyes.
“Please, forgive me,” Mary pleased. “I did not mean to sound as though I was belittling your interests. I do not understand them, but I love you too, and that is all that matters.”
Rose took Mary’s hands and smiled warmly.