Thinking of love, it occurred to him that he might be falling in love with Eleanor. Discreetly, he glanced around. Lord and Lady Phinn had joined them at some point. They looked at each other, smiling. Her hands were in her lap and his hand covered them. Worthington had his arm across the back of his lady’s chair and, even though John couldn’t see his hand, he would wager it was on his wife’s shoulder. It struck him forcefully that when he had seen her family at entertainments, all the gentlemen were affectionate with their wives, even Rothwell. John found himself yearning for that type of closeness. He’d assumed Eleanor would be like the rest of her family, but was he correct? How could he find out? The room seemed filled with music, but he could not give it his whole attention when he was so distracted by her. If they could have a future, what would it hold? Again, he watched her enjoy the music until the song concluded.

“That was so beautiful.” She sighed. “I cannot wait to see the opera in which she is appearing.”

He could make that happen for her. “If you would like, I shall ask my mother to form a party to attend a performance.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened. “How kind of you. But we have a box, and Grace has already set the date.” Eleanor gazed at him for a long moment. “Would you like to join us?”

“Yes.” The word was out before he had given it any thought at all. The invitation was as unexpected as it was welcome. “I would like to accompany you.”

“I shall mention it to her.” She rose, and John noticed other people were doing so as well.

He wasn’t ready for the evening to end. “Is the entertainment over?”

“No.” Footmen were strolling around with canapés. She took one with cheese. “There will be one more aria after this pause.”

John was just about to bite into a chicken canapé and stopped. “What is an aria?”

She swallowed. “That is what the songs are called.”

“Ah.” Another footman approached. “Would you like a glass of champagne?”

“Yes, please, and another canapé. The one I had was delicious.”

He agreed. “They are. Although, I think this is an odd way to serve food.”

Her well-shaped brows drew together. “My understanding is that there used to be a supper room set up. Perhaps there was a problem with the arrangement.”

John thought of what happened at balls. The guests who were not interested in dancing often lingered in the supper room. “I imagine it was more difficult to get them back in their chairs for the performance.”

Her brow cleared. “You are probably correct. I cannot imagine Lady Brownly would be happy about having to chivy people back into the drawing room.”

Lord and Lady Phinn joined John and Eleanor.