Daniel resisted another smile. It was very clear that the man wanted Rose all to himself again and was trying to chase off Daniel. Daniel, however, did not intend to comply. He had to think quickly, however, since he was not, in fact, looking for anyone but Rose.
“It looks as though, perhaps, I am too late to catch them,” Daniel said slowly, looking around as though he wanted to be sure.
“Would you like me to help you look for them?” Rose offered.
Daniel and the gentleman looked at her quickly. The other man looked surprised, but Daniel could tell with a glance what it was she was trying to do. He recalled how uncomfortable she had looked when he first spotted her, so he quickly nodded.
“That is very kind of you,” Daniel said.
“Not at all,” she said. Daniel noticed the look of gratitude she was giving him, though her smile remained unchanged. “My father owns the theater, and it can be so easy to lose someone if you do not know your way around.”
She paused briefly to address the gentleman. She curtseyed and gave him a sweet, apologetic smile.
“Please forgive my rudeness,” she said to the man. “I cannot bear to see a poor soul get lost in here, not knowing the theater the way I do.”
The man was obviously frustrated, but he put on his best smile.
“You have a very kind heart, Miss Danvers,” he said, bowing slowly. “I do hope that I shall see you again before I leave.”
Rose curtseyed again quickly and smiled. Daniel noted that she did not reply to the man as she gestured for Daniel to follow her.
“Good evening, my good man,” the gentleman said. Daniel did not miss the hint of coldness in the man’s words.
“Good evening, my lord,” Daniel said, nodding curtly.
When they were well out of earshot, Rose let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Thank you,” she said. “Forgive my candor, but that man was insufferable.”
Daniel could not hide a chuckle.
“I am glad that I could be of service,” he said.
Rose blushed, seemingly embarrassed at having spoken so freely to a perfect stranger. Daniel bit his lip, as only he knew that they were not total strangers.
“So, for whom did you say you were looking?” she asked quickly, apparently trying to change the subject.
Daniel took a deep breath.
“In truth, I am not looking for anyone,” he said. He could feel himself flushing as he hoped that she would not storm away at having learned that he lied.
Instead, however, she merely tilted her head and looked at him suspiciously.
“Then why ever would you claim such a thing?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips. “Were you so embarrassed that you had bumped into me that you could not simply tell me that it was an honest mistake?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I suppose that it is my turn to be candid,” he said. “I could see your discomfort as I was walking through the theater, and I thought that I might be able to offer some assistance.”
Once more, Daniel expected Rose to walk away, angry that he had assumed that she could not handle herself. And once more, she surprised him. She looked at him and smiled, bemused.
“So, you felt it appropriate to put yourself in the business of a complete stranger?” she asked.
Again, Daniel bit his lip to refrain from telling her that he was no stranger.
“I felt it appropriate to offer aid where I could,” he said, his eyes twinkling.
Rose thought for a moment. Then she nodded, smiling.
“Well, your aid was most certainly appreciated,” she said. “But just who are you? I would like to properly thank my hero by name, if you do not mind.”
Daniel smiled.
“Of course,” he said, bowing graciously. “Forgive my lack of manners. I am Daniel Eaton, Earl of Elbrook.”
Rose paled slightly, giving him another strained smile.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Elbrook,” she said with a small curtsy.
Daniel continued to smile.
“Do not worry, Miss Rose Danvers,” he said. “I am not here to throw myself at you, as I am certain that others surely have tonight.”
Rose blinked and looked at him oddly, and Daniel winced inwardly. How could he have spoken so carelessly?
“That gentleman just now seemed to be doing that, so I suspect that many other men must have been doing the same,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. “He also spoke your name, and you yourself told me that your father owns the theater. Who here does not know the daughter of the Earl of Roxbough?”
Rose nodded and smiled, visibly relaxing. Daniel suppressed a sigh of relief. He would need to be much less careless with his words from now on.
Suddenly, it seemed as though something occurred to Rose. She glanced around behind Daniel, her eyes searching briefly for something. When she noticed him studying her, she smiled brightly again. Almost too much so.
“So, Lord Elbrook,” Rose asked, glancing behind him once more. “Did you enjoy the performance this evening?”
Daniel hid a secret smile.
“It was certainly an entertaining production,” he said.
“Indeed, it was,” she said. Her eyes flickered with something he could not read, and he thought he saw her mouth twitch ever so slightly.
At once, it occurred to Daniel that she was searching for someone, as he had feigned to do to arrange a chance meeting with her. At first, Daniel felt inclined to excuse himself. But then, he realized that some of the actors were now exiting the theater. She must have been looking for the Specter.
“Few women have a true appreciation for the theater,” he said.
Rose looked at him, at last focusing her attention back to him.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Many of them go merely for a laugh, or because society deems it proper entertainment,” he said. “However, few of them truly appreciate the plays that are performed or have a real love for theater.” Daniel reached out and took a beautiful white rose from a nearby vase. “But it would seem that you have a love for the theater that surpasses that of even the most devote actors.”
Rose smiled widely and blushed.
“My father does own the theater, after all,” she said sweetly. “I grew up loving the theater.”
Daniel held out the rose to her. She looked at him bashfully and took it from him gently.
“A rose for a Rose,” he said. “And I do hope to see one of those Rose’s again soon.”