Chapter 53 That held him mesmerized

Hazel's eyes looked at the ceilings and all over the place. She realized that despite the building being old, it was often remodelled to make it suitable for hosting high class members.

She looked at her left where the Viscountess sat, and then at her right where the Duke sat.

Not long after, a man came in asking what they would like to eat, and the Viscount ordered for himself with his wife, and the Duke did the same.

"You look beautiful," said Alvara who leaned in to whisper to her. "Thank you. You too look beautiful," she replied with a small smile. "I always had a hunch that something was going on between you and Raven," she said and Hazel smiled shyly, before looking away. It seems that the Viscountess didn't take it as badly as she had thought.

The Viscount then tapped on his wife who turned to him and the two engaged in a conversation. "Do you like the place?" she heard the Duke's deep voice and she turned to look at him. "Yes. It is just as I have heard. Amazing," she replied and in came two women who brought the things they had ordered. Hazel looked at the women keenly as she noticed that they were not dressed in proper clothes. One was dressed in men's trousers while the other was dressed in a tight dress that was akin to a chemise. After placing the food on the tables, they bowed their heads and left the place.

Alvara who noticed Hazel looking in the direction where the women had left leaned closer to her and whispered," That is how they dress here. They also offer their bodies in exchange for money." Her eyes widened at the information and she asked," Really?"

"Yes," she replied and Hazel slowly nodded.

Not long after, the lights were turned off before they were turned on again, and the play started.

Hazel's eyes were glued onto the stage, not wanting to miss any part of the play, since it was her first time coming to the theater and she didn't know if she would ever come back again.

A while later, Raven realized that she hadn't touched on the food neither the drinks as her whole concentration was fixed on the stage. He could tell that she was happy and excited but he also could not help the feeling of being neglected by her. Picking up a glass of juice for her, he called her name multiple times but she didn't seem to hear him. One because there was music in the background of the play and also the fact that she was so immersed in watching the play.

He watched her as she smiled, frowned and lowly giggled. For a moment, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. There was something about her that held him mesmerized. It was her smile, the shape of her eyes, the way she looked at the stage as if she'd never seen a more glorious sight than the silly players.

Suddenly, the music dulled down and the silence brought him back from his daze.

Realizing that he had been holding a glass of juice for sometime now, he wondered what he would do to gain her attention.

He placed his hand on her thigh, and it didn't work. He then trailed it upwards, and she immediately snapped her head to look at him. "Y-your grace," came her startled voice. "Don't you think it's unfair for you to ignore the person who brought you here?"

She cleared her throat and said," I-I didn't mean to."

"Is it that interesting?" he asked referring to the play. "Yes. It's so nice," she replied. "You haven't touched your food," he pointed out. "I will eat later," she said in a hurry to get back to following the play. "If you behave like that, I will not bring you back the next time," he said and she quickly reached for the food before placing it on her lap. "Drink your juice too," he said and she nodded her head as she stuffed the food in her mouth.

After the play, most of the people clapped their hands at the talented players and Hazel did the same. She really enjoyed the play.

As the four made their way out of the theater, the three came across a number of important people and they couldn't just pass by them.

Most of them were giving questioning glances to the woman standing besides the Duke as they were wondering who she was since they hadn't seen her before.

As Hazel's eyes looked around the people leaving the theater, she caught sight of Rufus Hamilton making way to where they were and she immediately hid behind the Duke.

"Your grace, Mr Grayson it's so nice to meet you here," said Rufus the moment he reached them with a bright smile on his face.

"Hamilton," said the Viscount. "I didn't expect that you would be here," he said casually. "Do you want to mean that we should report our movements to you first?" asked Audrey.

"Of course not Mr Grayson. I didn't mean it that way," he said as he tried to peek at the person who was standing behind the Duke.

Just then, a woman came to where they were and bowed at all of them before looking at Rufus and said," I am done."

Audrey then said," Mr Rufus, is it the same woman you came with at the Duke's birthday?"

He smiled awkwardly and said," No Mr Grayson. The woman couldn't come because she was not feeling well."

When he didn't reply, he said," I think I better go. Have a good night your grace, Viscount and Viscountess."

When the four stepped outside, the couple wished them a good night before they walked towards their carriage.

The ride to the manor was a silent one and in the middle of the journey, Hazel was dosing off.

The moment they reached the manor, she walked straight to her room and before she could close the door, it was pushed open and the Duke stepped inside.