“You enter through the door on the opposite side of the stage,” Sarah directed and pointed him in the right direction while she took her place on the stage. The curtain had not yet been opened and he crossed to the other side.
The sounds of the audience were quite audible. Gavin could imagine them restless. It was past time for the play to start. He had been part of that crowd. He’d seen more than a few people he knew.
He thought of his mother and Dame Imogen in his box. This was not going to go over well . . . and yet, he was excited. Thrilled actually. He was about to test his mettle on the stage.
Gavin had not noticed Rov when he’d been out there, but that didn’t mean the man wasn’t there.
After a nod from Sarah that all were in their places, Lady Baldwin stepped out in front of the curtain. Gavin listened to her welcome the audience and then announce a change in the players. “The male lead will be played by—” she paused dramatically “—the Duke of Baynton.”
Her announcement was met with a stunned silence followed by twitters of interest.
Lady Baldwin retreated behind the curtain. “I did see some cabbages, Sarah,” she warned.
“You did?” Sarah squared her shoulders. “I was hoping that Thom was wrong.”
“It is hard to hide the cabbages. The small fruits and vegetables they can sneak in but with cabbages there is that tell-all bulge.”
“Is it sporting to throw cabbages back?” Gavin wanted to know. The male actors laughed and nodded at the thought.
Sarah was not so amused. “Not unless you want to start a riot.”
“Then you’d best be a good dodger, Your Grace,” one of the lads said.
That was met with good-natured laughing and a bit of the tension broke.
Lady Baldwin vanquished the rest when she said, “Oh, and, Your Grace?”
“Yes?”
“Is your mother, the dowager, in your box?”
“She is. With my aunt.”
“Well, when I made the announcement, one of them swooned. I’m not certain which.”
“Thank you, Lady Baldwin.” There would be the devil to pay for this, and Gavin felt himself smile.
“Oh, don’t worry, Your Grace,” Lady Baldwin said. “The woman with her, an older woman, called for sherry, so all should be fine.”
Gavin could only imagine the picture of his mother and Imogen fortifying themselves with sherry throughout the play. He’d have to carry them both home. Now he grinned outright and the other actors joined him.
Only Sarah was all business. She snapped her fingers. “Enough talk. To your places.” She gave a sign, and the curtain opened.
Gavin could see the audience from where he waited although they could not see him, he didn’t think. The actress named Louisa stood beside him. She played the Widow’s nosy sister. It was a choice part. She now advised Gavin to never look at the audience, especially when one is on stage.
Sarah said the opening lines and the play was on. Louisa knocked on the door and entered the stage. Gavin hung back. It would be some time before Jonathan Goodwell would be called upon. It gave him the opportunity to watch the other actors work.
Sarah was a marvel. She had donned Peregrine’s persona and seemed completely at ease.
At one point, someone from the pit yelled, “Why don’t you dance naked for us, Siren?” However, before Gavin could think to react, the audience itself shushed the person who had shouted.
They were already involved in the play.
However, Gavin had to see who had called out. Against Louisa’s advice, he edged to where he could look out and there was Rovington.
His Lordship did not look completely like himself. Rov wore a white bagwig and what appeared to be a cobbler’s coat. Damn the man. Did he not think he would be recognized?
Gavin had half a mind to leave his post, make his way into the audience and pull the wig off the scoundrel’s head.
