Elizabeth tilted her head as she stared at him.He knew her mind was buzzing with questions.Her natural curiosity was what made her such an observant reporter.He took perverse pleasure that she wanted to know his story, despite her earlier denial that she wouldn’t let him explain his past.
He gestured to the stairs.“After you.”
They climbed the stairs and emerged stage left.Howell described how there would be new sets for the new show opening this evening.Matthew walked over to the rope pulley and cranked open the main curtains.Stella stood in the middle of the stage and gasped as the curtains lifted.
“Oh, Mr.Howell, it’s magnificent!”She stepped forward and began to sing.It was a ballad from the show at the Blue Angel, her solo.Her voice filled the empty auditorium, the clear soprano rising and falling effortlessly with the melody.
Matthew’s chest filled with pride.Stella had an amazing talent, and he was so glad that she had the freedom to enjoy it.Everyone else had gone silent as they all stared at her in wonder.When she finished the last notes, clapping erupted.Stella turned and executed a graceful curtsey.“The acoustics are lovely.”
“Your voice is extraordinary, my dear.”Howell turned to Matthew.“Where the hell have you been hiding her, Matthew?”
“Stella sings at the Blue Angel.Where I can keep an eye on her.”He gave Howell a hard look.“She is only seventeen.”
Declan Howell actually flushed red.That was a new one.He cleared his throat.“Yes, well, plenty of singers are younger than that when they get their start.”
“Not my sister.”
“Of course.”Howell turned his winning smile back on.“Come, let me show you the back gallery.The skylights are new.”He winged out an arm for Stella.“This way, everyone.”
As the others walked away, Matthew grasped Elizabeth’s elbow.“Can we speak for a moment?”
She glanced at the others and then back at him before nodding.
“Lizzie, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away.”He shoved a hand through his hair.“I keep my past a secret for good reasons.I am not used to sharing that part of myself with anyone.”
Her stare bored into him for a long moment.“I can accept that you have reasons for not telling me.”
“I told myself that I would just let you walk out of my life.That it was for the best.But seeing you today, I know that I cannot.The pull between us is undeniable.”He wanted to touch her so badly his chest ached with the effort to keep his arms by his side.
“It is the same for me,” she said.At that admission, he reached out and grasped her fingers.The connection was fleeting as she took a step back.“But I must be careful about who I allow into my life.I have to protect my son.He is the most important thing to me.”
“Then you already understand why I have hidden my parentage.My brother is looking for Stella, and she came to me for safe haven.Keeping her identity a secret is my priority.”He watched Elizabeth’s brow scrunch.“Ask me your questions.I know you have a slew of them.I promise to answer truthfully.”
“How is it that you grew up here, in this theater?”
“When I was ten years old, my parents sent me to live with Uncle Harry, my mother’s brother.He was a businessman, and this theater was the love of his life.”
“Why would they send you to live with him?It seems as though the Viscount would disapprove of theater people raising his son.”
Matthew stuck his hands into his pockets and rocked back onto his heels.“I don’t know their reasons.It is a complicated tale that is perhaps for another time and a more private space.”
“And how did you end up with the gang?And in the gaming hell business?Why do you use your uncle’s name?”
Matthew laughed out loud at her string of questions.Fucking reporters.He smiled.“You are asking for my entire life history, Lizzie.”
She frowned.“You said that you would answer my questions honestly.”
“Yes, I did.But all of that would take time to tell.”He reached again for her hand.Would she allow him to explain?“Perhaps we could have dinner, and I could spill all my secrets to you?”
Her eyes heated, their green depths flashing.
He tugged her closer.His eyes fastened on her ripe berry lips.
But she shook her head.“I don’t think that is a good idea.I don’t seem to have any self-control when it comes to you.”
“You should never tell your opponent your weakness,” he murmured next to her ear.He licked the spot right underneath her ear and reveled in the soft sigh that escaped her lips.
“Are we opponents?”
