“I’m not going to justify my father’s behavior. I don’t question your story. However, when a man sits down to play, drunk or sober, he can lose.”
“Mine took his life. Everyone said it was an accident but I remember my mother crying and hearing people whisper when they thought they could not be overheard.” She took another swallow of her cider and then added quietly, “I once asked my mother for the truth and she said we must lie because what Father did was unspeakable. I believe whatyourfather did was unspeakable.”
Jack opened his mouth, and then shut it. What could he say?
“My mother died a few years after Father. She never recovered from his death. She loved him,” she said as if the possibility was somehow odd. “He did everything wrong and yet she always made excuses for him.”
“She was loyal.”
Lady Charlene nodded absently. “I lived with my uncle Davies who is the most miserly, pious prig ever to be found in England. I was miserable. Everyone in his family resented me. They blamed me for the lack of any funds in the estate. My uncle inherited an empty title, a widow, and her child. He was not pleased.”
“I don’t imagine so.”
“At Mother’s funeral, her godmother, Lady Baldwin, asked me a number of questions about Uncle Davies. I don’t believe she liked him. I didn’t understand why back then but I now know his reputation is not one of the best around women. There were times even with Mother when I was nervous. The day after I talked to Lady Baldwin, Sarah came into my life. She took me away from him.”
“Who is Sarah?”
“She is my mother’s half sister. Her mother was an actress and my grandfather’s mistress. She is much younger than my mother and there was a time when she needed help. My mother and father took her in and then later sent her to a school. Sarah said she never forgot their kindness. Coming for me was her way of repaying them for what they did.”
Lady Charlene took another sip of the cider. Her voice stronger now, she said, “Uncle Davies was afraid of Sarah. She can be quite formidable. She made him promise to pay my expenses and he did until last September. Then he stopped. No explanation, no excuses... just no money. Sarah and I both wrote him and I’ve tried to visit him but he has shut us out.”
“So you needed money.”
“Of course. We were behind on the rent and Sarah was not receiving the acting parts she had when she was younger. What she really wishes is to be a playwright.”
“A woman?”
“Why not? The managers at the Haymarket have been using her to add polish to their plays. However, she wants to see her own work on the stage. I’ve read her plays and they are wonderful.”
Jack placed his arms on the table. “So why are you picking pockets?”
A world-weary sigh escaped Lady Charlene. “Two reasons. The first, of course, is for the money. I want you to know that I have offered to find work. I could be a governess or sew. I’m good with a needle. Sarah won’t let me. I keep the house for her. We can’t afford a maid. When His Grace called, Sarah put on a costume and pretended to be the maid.”
“So you both enjoy playacting.”
She had the good grace to blush. “We do what we must. Can you understand that?”
“All too well. What is the second reason?” Jack asked.
“I thought it would be an adventure.”
He had not expected that answer. “Has it been?”
“It was in the beginning,” she said. “The first time I earned just enough to cover the rent. It felt good to be taking action for myself.”
Jack could understand the feeling. “How did you explain the money to your aunt?”
“I told her Uncle Davies sent it. She was so relieved. Apparently the landlord was about to toss us into the street and Sarah has been worried about what would become of us. She has been taking on as many jobs as she could at the theater, but it is never enough. So, you see, I had to do something.”
“Where did you pick up this skill?”
“Lady Baldwin. She, too, was an actress before she met Lord Baldwin. I believe she had a rather wild reputation. She is the one who suggested I might try my hand at it. She knew the ways of it and helped with my costume. No one ever suspected I was a woman. Not even you.”
That was true.
“And before you think I was just a thief, I’ll have you know I had standards.”
“You do?”
