"It's none of your bloody business what goes on between her and me," he said, his jaw tightening. "And you best get used to the idea of her being around. I mean to have her."
Stewart's eyes widened. A pang struck Gavin for he'd never seen that look on his mentor's face before. The man looked... hurt?
"So that's how it's to be, eh? Fifteen years we've known each other, an' you'd toss my advice aside for a slip o' a wench."
"Devil take it, that's not what I meant." Guilt needled Gavin as he contemplated the scowling man who had, for all intents and purposes, fathered him. A man he had always trusted. In a gruff voice, he said, "Is it such a bad thing to want companionship?"
"That's what the likes o' Evangeline 'Arper is for," Stewart burst out. "Or some other fancy piece if 'er tricks 'ave grown tiresome. Don't shackle yourself to the ball and chain, lad—weren't the 'ulks enough? 'Ang onto to your freedom; that's a man's true companion."
"You cannot be comparing marriage to imprisonment," Gavin said with a frown.
"Can't I, lad? I thought I wanted the one an' ended up with the other."
"Percy is not like Marissa."
"How do you know that, son? 'Twixt 'er own family an' you, a bastard from the stews she's known but a month or two, who do you think she'll choose? Will she even believe your story when Morgan 'as 'is own tale to convince 'er?"
She'll take my side. She won't betray me.
Yet the doubt crept in, widening the cracks in Gavin's earlier confidence. The idea of Percy siding with Morgan made his muscles tense in denial.
What if she leaves me, turns her back?
"Don't make any 'asty decisions you'll regret. That's all I'm sayin'."
"I will think on it." An awkward silence filled the carriage; as ever, unspoken words hovered between them. His hand on the door handle, Gavin struggled to express the sentiment within him... and gave up. "I'll be back shortly," he said instead. "Keep an eye out for me, will you?"
"Always 'ave and always will, lad.Thatyou can count on," Stewart said.
Gavin entered the rickety building. He didn't know what possessed him to search out Evangeline. It wasn't pity precisely, but he couldn't forget the desperation he'd seen in her eyes—the most genuine emotion he'd ever seen from her. She'd needed that money. He'd give it to her, as a parting gift and as a small thank you; for though Evangeline had meant to stir the pot with Percy, she'd instead opened up a world of possibility.
Percy hadn't been afraid of his darker desires. He'd seen her peeking at those tools of pleasure, and her cheeks had gone rosy with curiosity, not disgust. His innocent yet seductive goddess would accept him as he was... with all his flaws, the darkness in his soul. By God, hecravedher. Luckily, he had only to wait for tonight.
Passing by the unattended ticketing counter, he made his way into the small auditorium. Several women stood on the cramped stage, bickering with a beleaguered looking fellow with ink stains on his shirtsleeves.
"I ain't arsin' 'round wif this scene no more, Johnny." This came from the skimpily clad brunette standing in the middle of the stage. She had one hand on her hip, her lips held in a pout. "I'm tired an' me feet 'urt from standin' round."
"Just one more time," the director pleaded as he pushed up his spectacles. "Please, darling, you've got to get your lines right. Think of your adoring crowds."
"Gor, t'isn't 'er lines they're 'ere for, is it?" said another of the females.
"I reckon there's more 'an one kind o' talent." The brunette wiggled her shoulders to show off her obvious twin assets, and the rest of the cast roared with laughter.
"Pardon," Gavin said.
All eyes turned to him.
"I am looking for Miss Harper," he said. "Where can I find her?"
The brunette strolled over toward him. "She ain't 'ere, luvie." She winked at him. "I'm Tilly, and I han't see you 'ere before. Would remember a fine lookin' gent like yourself."
"Do you know when Miss Harper will be back?" he said.
"She won't be." This came from the director. Shooing the actors away, he took Gavin aside and said suspiciously, "Why are you looking for her?"
"I'm an old friend, and I have something for her." Gavin frowned. "Do you mean to say she has left the theatre?"
The other man nodded. Pushed his spectacles up again—clearly a nervous habit.
