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She had not found a convincing reason to put it away.

Their next evening would be the third. They had agreed to arrange it together, each contributing something the other might enjoy. That should have made planning simple. She knew several things she wished to do with him, most of which would have been difficult to describe to anyone else without blushing.

The difficulty was choosing something that would let her enjoy his company before they got distracted.

She drew a fresh sheet of paper toward her.

Dear Dominic,

I’ve considered our remaining evening and decided to spare your pianoforte. Do you truly believe you play that terribly? I would dislike an otherwise agreeable evening ending on a wrong note. Instead, you may contribute the music by taking me to the opera.

I shall contribute what follows, once the last aria has faded and the carriage has closed its door upon the rest of the world. You must, however, attend to the stage sufficiently to offer an opinion afterward. I shall not accept “the singing was pleasant” as evidence that you heard any of it. I intend to test you, and I promise you will find the examination difficult, for I do not mean to make it easy to concentrate.

I am quite curious to discover whether you can behave yourself in public after being so agreeably troublesome in private. I shall be seated very near you in a darkened box, wearing something I suspect you will find considerably more distracting than the soprano.

You may regard it as a challenge to your restraint, which I observed, with some interest, to be less sturdy than you believe.

Amelia

P.S. I have your ribbon, and I confess it has given me some rather scandalous ideas. I haven't decided whether to share them before the opera or let you discover them during the second act.

Amelia read the letter, pausing on the postscript. It was accurate. She had no reason to object. Nevertheless, she considered crossing it out. Instead, she folded the paper and rang for someone to deliver it before she could begin a second draft. Then she returned to her tea and found it had gone cold. His reply arrived shortly after luncheon.

She accepted it with what she hoped was an ordinary expression. Mrs. Ellis glanced at the untouched book on her lap but said nothing. Amelia waited until the housekeeper had withdrawn before breaking the seal. Dear Amelia,

Dear Amelia,

I am relieved to learn that my pianoforte has been granted a reprieve. It will be told of your mercy, though I fear it will not believe me. As for whether I truly play that terribly, I can only say the instrument has never complained, which is the highest praise it can give.

I accept the opera, and the terms. I shall attend to the stage with a scholar's devotion. I will offer you a full opinion of the performance, including the soprano, the tenor, and the scenery. I would add that you have made my task considerably harder by announcing in advance that you intend to make it so. A less honest woman would have simply done it. I find I am grateful for the warning and entirely unable to use it.

You ask whether I can behave myself in public. I have given the matter a good deal of thought, and I believe I can, for the length of an act. I make no promises about the interval. I would also point out, with some injured dignity, that you proposed the wager, took my cravat, and sat on my sofa in a manner I am still attempting to recover from. I was merely a willing participant in my own undoing.

Since you wrote, I have been wondering about the “what follows.” You were careful not to say. I have decided to take that as a kindness, as it lets me imagine many things instead of just one, and I assure you I am using that freedom thoroughly. If the carriage is to be as private as your letter suggests, I shall tell my coachman to take the longest route home, and to be very deaf.

I will call for you at eight.

Yours, with what little restraint remains,

Dominic

P.S. I am glad you kept the ribbon. I should very much like to hear these scandalous ideas of yours. I suspect they are better than mine, and I have been thinking of very little else.

She smiled, then read the letter again more slowly. He had kept the same easy warmth she remembered from his drawing room. She could almost hear his voice. She wondered whether his valet had noticed he returned home without another properly arranged one, and whether Dominic had offered a better explanation this time. She would ask him.

The thought came so naturally that she did not question it until she sat down to answer.

Dominic,

Thursday will suit, provided you can arrange it. You may inquire about my contribution. I make no promise to satisfy your curiosity immediately. I find I enjoy the thought of you wondering, and I am told anticipation improves most things. I was gratified to learn that your coachman will be deaf. I was less gratified to learn that you intend to take the longest route home. After the performance, you will escort me to my door, as a gentleman should, and we shall discover together what the evening has left to offer. I believe that should be enough to encourage you to make your arrangements.

As to your behavior, a gentleman may admire his companion. He may sit close enough for her to feel his warmth. He may whisper something agreeable at an appropriate moment, provided it is quiet enough to be heard by only one person in the box. He may not persuade her to leave before she has heard what she came for, however persuasive he may be. I shall be watching to see how well you manage it. You must also make me laugh without making the rest of the audience turn around. I suspect this will be your greater challenge, as I have observed that you are at your most amusing when you are least supposed to be.

Amelia

P.S. I confess I have been keeping your ribbon beside my pillow for inspiration. Though it has proved a disobliging companion. I shall expect you to make amends.

She paused, the pen resting above the paper. The letter teased enough to hide how much she wanted the evening. Yet it gave him an invitation he could hardly misunderstand. She added one more line. After she finished, Amelia looked down at the ribbon beside her hand.