"Catalani's escapades behind the scenes are legendary," Miles explained with a grin.
"There is no need to regale my wife with such tales," Julian said pointedly. "Find something else to talk about if you wish to stay in this box."
"Don't pay any attention to him," Sophy admonished. "Julian is excessively straitlaced in some matters."
"Is that true, Julian?" Miles exclaimed innocently. "Do you know, now that your Countess makes the observation, I fear she may be right. I had begun to think you a bit stuffy of late. Must be the affects of marriage."
"No doubt," Julian said coldly.
"Catalani is not the only one causing talk tonight," Miles went on cheerfully. "One hears that a few more members of the ton have received notes from the Grand Featherstone. You've got to hand it to the woman. She's got nerve to sit here tonight surrounded by her victims."
Sophy rounded on him at once. "Charlotte Featherstone is here tonight? Where?"
"That's enough, Thurgood," Julian cut in decisively.
But Miles was nodding toward the box that held the fashionably dressed blond who had been staring at Sophy only moments earlier. "That's her right over there."
"The lady in the green gown?" Sophy peered through the gloom of the darkened theater trying to pick out the infamous courtesan.
"Damn it, Thurgood, I said that's enough," Julian snapped.
"Sorry, Ravenwood. Don't mean to say anything out of line. But everyone knows who Featherstone is. Ain't exactly a secret."
Julian's eyes were grim. "Sophy, would you like some lemonade?"
"Yes, Julian, that would be lovely."
"Excellent. I'm certain Miles would be happy to fetch you a glass, wouldn't you Thurgood?"
Miles leaped to his feet and swept Sophy a graceful bow. "It would be an honor, Lady Ravenwood. I shall return shortly." He turned to slip through the curtains at the back of the box and then paused briefly. "I beg your pardon, Lady Ravenwood," he said with a wide smile, "but the plume in your hair appears to be about to fall out. May I be allowed to adjust it for you?"
"Oh, dear." Sophy reached up to push the offending plume back into the depths of her coiffure just as Miles leaned forward helpfully.
"Go get the lemonade, Thurgood," Julian ordered, reaching for the plume, himself. "I am perfectly capable of dealing with Sophy's attire." He quickly shoved the feather back into Sophy's curls as Miles made his escape from the box.
"Really, Julian, there was no need to send him away just because he pointed out Charlotte Featherstone." Sophy gave her husband a reproving glance. "As it happens I have been most curious about the woman."
"I cannot imagine why."
"Why, because I have been reading her Memoirs."
Sophy explained, leaning forward once more in an effort to get a better look at the lady in green.
"You've been reading what?" Julian's voice sounded half-strangled.
"We're studying the Featherstone Memoirs in Fanny's and Harry's Wednesday afternoon salons. Fascinating reading, I must say. Such a unique view of Society. We can hardly wait for the next installment.
"Damn it, Sophy, if I'd had any notion Fanny would be exposing you to that sort of rubbish, I would never have permitted you to visit her on Wednesdays. What the devil is the meaning of this nonsense? You're supposed to be studying literature and natural philosophy, not some harlot's gossipy scribblings."
"Calm down, Julian, I am a married woman of twenty-three, not a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl." She smiled at him. "I was right earlier. You really are most dreadfully straitlaced about some things."
His eyes narrowed as he glowered at her. "Straitlaced is a rather mild term for the way I feel about this particular subject, Sophy. You are forbidden to read any more installments of the Memoirs. Do you fully comprehend me?"
Some of Sophy's good humor began to slip. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the evening with an argument but she felt she had to take a stand. Last night she had surrendered on one of the most important counts of the nuptial agreement. She would not give in on another.
"Julian, she said gently, "I must remind you that prior to our marriage we discussed the matter of my freedom to read what I choose."
"Do not throw that silly agreement in my face, Sophy. It has nothing to do with this business of the Featherstone Memoirs."
"It was not a silly agreement and it has everything to do with this matter. You are trying to dictate what I can and cannot read. We distinctly agreed you would not do that."
"I do not wish to argue with you about this," Julian said through clenched teeth.
"Excellent." Sophy gave him a relieved smile. "I do not wish to argue with you about it either, my lord. You see?
We can agree quite easily on some matters. It bodes well, don't you think?"
"Do not misunderstand me," Julian plowed on forcefully, "I will not debate this with you. I am telling you quite plainly that I do not want you reading any more installments of the Memoirs. As your husband, I expressly forbid it."
Sophy drew a deep breath knowing she must not allow him to run roughshod over her like this. "It seems to me I have already made a very large compromise regarding our wedding agreement, my lord. You cannot expect me to make another. It is not fair and I believe that, at heart, you are a fair-minded man."
"Not fair." Julian leaned forward and caught one of her hands. "Sophy, look at me. What happened last night does not come under the heading of compromise. You simply came to your senses and realized that particular portion of our wedding agreement was irrational and unnatural."
"Did I really? How very perceptive of me."
"This is not a matter for jest, Sophy. You were wrong to insist upon that foolish clause in the first place and ultimately you had the sense to acknowledge it. This business of reading the Memoirs is another matter in which you are wrong. You must allow me to guide you in this sort of thing."
She looked up at him. "Be reasonable, my lord. If I surrender on this count, too, what will you demand next? That I no longer control my inheritance?"
"The devil take your inheritance," he stormed tightly. "I do not want your money and you know it."
"So you say now. But a few weeks ago you were also saying you did not care what I chose to read. How do I know you will not also soon change your mind about my inheritance?"
"Sophy, this is outrageous. Why in the name of heaven do you want to read the Memoirs?"
"I find them quite fascinating, my lord. Charlotte Featherstone is a most interesting woman. Only think what she has gone through."
"She's gone through a lot of men, that's what she's gone through and I won't have you reading the particulars about each and every one of her paramours."
"I will take care not to mention the subject again, my lord, since it obviously offends you."
"You will take care not to read on this subject again," he corrected ominously. Then his expression softened. "Sophy, my dear, this is not worth a quarrel between us."
"I could not agree with you more, my lord."
"What I require of you is merely some degree of rational circumspection in your reading."
"Julian, as fascinating and instructive as the subjects of animal husbandry and farming are, they do grow a bit tedious now and again. I simply must have some variety in my reading."
"Surely you do not want to lower yourself to the kind of gossip you will encounter in the Memoirs?"