Night at the Opera

They were treated to an evening at the opera. Susan had her own box and had it prepared so all her guests would be entertained. There were lounges, card tables, food and drink tables... comfortable chairs for those who wanted to watch the opera performance. The King's theatre was full tonight with every person who wanted to be seen. It was noisy and in some places chaotic. Victoria wondering how anyone could enjoy the performance with some many other things happening.

Tonight they were watching 'Gioachino Rossini's' opera 'Elisabetta'.

Henry and Charlotte had been learning together Italian and were looking forward in seeing how much they would be able to understand.

"ti amo" Henry taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. He didn't care if anyone saw him... his wife looked radiant tonight and he wanted to tell her he loved her.

"Grazie... ti amo" answered Charlotte while giving a smile only for him.

"I might have read the english summary of the play so at least I wont be lost" Charlotte confessed. Henry taking hold of her other hand and lifted it to his lips.

"I think that was a clever idea... could you please tell me the summary?" Henry moving his eyebrows with the purpose of making her laugh. He loved Charlotte's laugher and it made him happy hearing it.

Victoria was seated on a chair impatiently waiting for the opera to start. She had read the english translation of the play and was interested in how it would be performed. She caste her eye over the audience with disgust... watched as the crowd were only interested in showing off their clothes. She noticed young men walking along the aisles in the notoriously area 'the Fops' openly flirting with the young ladies.

"Susan... why are there card tables in our box? We are here to watch the opera?" asked Victoria

"My dear girl... we are here to watch the opera but we also provide other forms of entrainment for those who don't want to watch the performance" Susan informing Victoria.

"Then.. why do they bother to come at all?" a confused Victoria asked

"You are a clever girl... I have seen you observe the crowd... ladies and gentlemen want to be seen.." Susan giving her young friend a lesson about the London ton.

"They are stupid... there is so much more to do in life than walk around like peacocks... waiting to get peoples attention" exclaimed a frustrated Victoria.

Without her being aware Victoria had gained the attention of many people without doing anything. One being Lord Castle who was seated with his mother across from Susan's box. He had been watching her face as she looked around and knew she was not impressed with the behaviour of the people below her.

"Stanley... it is a nice surprise you have joined me in our family box for a change.. we normally watch you with your friends in the Fops area" his mother the Duchess of Eastbourne commented with a smile.

"Mother.. please!" Stanley begged. His cheeks had gone red in embarrassment and this was not lost on his mother.

She had noticed a change in her son since his return from York. He spent more time at home and was no longer socialising with his usual crowd. They hadn't seen Lord South and the Duchess was thankful for that. She also was catching her son in the library reading various books. The only reason for the cause was 'a young woman'. Judging by her son's inability to focus tonight ... the young lady must be in attendance. It didn't take long to follow his glaze and recognise 'Victoria Heywood'... she was a beautiful girl and from accounts very intelligent... not frivolous and not easily fooled. She had met her sisters Lady Crowe and Alison Heywood who were lovely but unusual women. She always knew her son would need a strong woman who would reign him in... this was the first time she had seen Stanley besotted.

On the other side of the theatre in Susan's box Grace noticed Lord Castle watching her daughter. It was an intense/longing look which was different to the others who had glanced at her Victoria. She tapped Henry on the shoulder and asked him about the man.

"He is the oldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Eastbourne ... he stayed with us when we were in York." informed Henry

"Hmmm... is he one of the friends of Lord South?" Grace asked with a frown on her face

"Yes..." Alison answered as she had overheard her mother

"I see!" Grace placing her arm on Victoria and giving the young man a warning stare. Lord Castle quickly turning his glaze to the theatre stage.

The Duchess watched her son's reaction with concern. She herself had given the same stern stare at gentlemen who had gazed at her own daughters and understood Grace Heywood's concern. She had always warned her son his rouge behaviour would catch up with him and make it difficult for him to find a good woman. She placed her fan on her lips and thought how she could help her son.

The performance started and the Heywood/Crowe clan were focused on the performance and hardly noticed the silly activities that went on around them. The drink, food and card tables remained untouched as everyone was following every word. The lead performers noticed this and seemed to improve their performance as they finally had people who appreciated opera.

During the intermission they were visited by many different people and one was the Duchess of Eastbourne.

"Good evening, my dear" Susan inviting her friend in ... noticing Lord Castle following his mother... looking nervous.

"I thought we might come over and ask your comments about the performance so far" explained the Duchess but could see Susan had seen through her excuse

Susan introducing everyone in the box and could see the duchess wanted to speak with Grace. Susan and Mary joining Grace and the Duchess... while Lord Castle joined Henry, Charlotte, Alison, Edward and Victoria. This had been the first time Lord Castle had been able to get close to Victoria as her family kept her guarded.

"Good evening, Miss Heywood" he was thankful he sounded calm

"Good evening, Lord Castle" she replied and looked at him closely

'How are you finding the performance?" he nervously asked

"La performance e eccellent!" Victoria answered

He looked at her and realised she had spoken in another language. Charlotte taking pity on the man commented

'Please forgive my sister... we have been learning Italian. Victoria told you that the performance has been excellent.

"I see..." commented Lord Castle...

"What is your opinion about the opera tonight?" Victoria questioning him and he was momentarily lost in her large brown eyes. Thankfully he had read about the opera and was able to give a good explanation and review. She looked pleased with his response and he felt relieved.

"I am pleased to see you were sitting with your mother and not those men in the fops area" commented Charlotte who looked at him intently.

"No... I may have in the past but I don't do that anymore" he told them honestly.

"Good..." Alison commented

Henry and Edward just watched with interest as the three women gave poor Lord Castle their attention and they could see perspiration appearing on his forehead. Thankfully they were kind to him and he was able to hold his own. Away from his friends Stanley Castle was pleasant and had potential. Intermission was ending...the Duchess and her son returning to their own box.

"The Duchess has invited us to her home for afternoon tea" Grace told her family.

"Why?" asked Victoria

"My dear.. we have been favoured by this great lady who wants to get to know you all better" laughed Susan

"Do they have a good library?" Victoria asked

"I believe one of the best next to the Prince Regent!" answered Susan

The family enjoying the rest of the performance and happily headed home. Everyone except Victoria knew the real reason why they had been favoured by the Duchess of Eastbourne!