Chapter 256

Hugo sat in his private box, his wife, Melanie, beside him. But as the opera began his gaze was not on the stage. Rather, it was on the balcony across from them. Charles, his mother, and his sister were all in the Lonsdale box, but when Hugo recognized the fourth among them he smiled. His little spy was in place, playing her part as the lovely widow. Word was already spreading among the ton that Charles soon would propose. No one had ever seen him so besotted before. Perfect.

He rose from his seat.

"Hugo? Where you going?" Melanie demanded in a harsh whisper.

"Apologies. I have business to attend to. I shall return shortly." He slipped out of his seat and into the corridor, waving down a serving boy.

"Yes, sir?" the boy asked.

"Do you have pen and paper?" Sometimes the boys came prepared with such items to help the opera patrons pass notes to one another.

"Yes, sir." The boy provided him with pen, paper, and a small polished board to write upon. Hugo scrawled a note to Lily, fold