Stella bit her lip, her eyes sliding away from him.“Um, well, he spoke with me after the show the week before last.He is very impressed by my voice.”
“He approached you after a show?”Matthew stood, his agitation rising.“Without me?”
“Don’t be so protective.Mrs.Langley was there.He just wanted to compliment my performance.He thinks I am talented.”
Another knock at the door had Stella rising.She smoothed out her dark gray skirts.“I wish I had time to change,” she muttered.
The somber dress she had worn to the funeral was just fine, in his opinion.He turned and went to open the door.“Afternoon, Spencer.”
Jack Spencer took off his hat.“Afternoon, Reeves.Thanks for seeing me.”
“Come in.I hear you have met my sister, Stella.”
Spencer nodded and crossed the room to where Stella stood in front of the fireplace.“Afternoon, Miss Reeves.”
“Good afternoon, Mr.Spencer.”Stella settled in her chair.
Matthew sat back down next to her.“What’s this about, Spencer?”
Spencer sat across from them.He smiled wide and toothy.“I have heard good things about your little show here, Reeves.But especially about your blue angel.”He winked at Stella.
Matthew frowned at the cheek.But that was theater people for you, and this wasn’t some Mayfair drawing room after all.
“I came to see the show a couple of weeks ago,” Spencer continued.“And it’s just as fun as people have said.The thing is, I am starting a new production.I am putting on a production ofThe Deep, Deep Sea.Miss Reeves would make a perfect Rosalind.”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“My answer is no.Stella is not an actress for hire.”
“But she performs for your show,” Spencer sputtered.
“Precisely.She performs here at the Blue Angel, where I can keep her safe.She is only seventeen.”Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Stella’s pout.
“Reeves, you know I run a decent place.The Hillwood is renowned for its performances.I could make her a star.”
That’s exactly why he would never allow it.Matthew folded his arms across his chest and simply stared across at Spencer.
The man leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharpening.“I heard about the trouble last Saturday.One of your dancers, dead in the alley.Is the hell really the safest place for her?Many of my performers share lodgings at a respectable boarding house in Soho Square.They all watch out for each other.Think of opportunities this could open for her future.”
“She doesn’t need to work.I take care of mine.”Matthew sighed.“Just as I know you do.Harry always respected your operation.But the answer is still no.”He stood and held out a hand.
Spencer rose and shook it.“Just think about.If you change your mind, rehearsals begin in August.Good day, Miss Reeves.”
Matthew showed him the door.Ben stood outside, ready to escort Spencer out through the club.No outsiders were allowed to roam unattended.When he turned back, Stella was slumped with a dejected expression.She stared into the fire.
“You know why you can’t perform at the Hillwood.”
“But with some makeup and maybe a wig, no one would recognize me.”
“Stella…” He felt bad, but her anonymity was important.“I saw him.Here at the club.”
She sat up and turned to him.“He was here?”
“Didn’t make it past the front entrance.I had Val throw him out.And he’s on the banned list.”He sat down and ran a hand over his beard.“Never thought I’d see him so far from his clubs in St.James Square.Must have been buzz about the masquerade.”
Stella’s eyes were wide with fear.He reached out to grip one of her hands.“You see why I can’t let you go perform at the Hillwood?Plenty of fancy people go to the performances there.You’re safe here on the east side.You’ll never run into Jonas at the market here or the coffee shop on Drury Lane.And he will never step foot in this club again.I promise you that.”
