“That is actually the best,” Mr. Arnold agreed. “These theater matters, it is all tit for tat. No one cares... usually. Let it rest. It will likely spark curiosity and bring an audience our way. Why, if Lord Dervil wasn’t her protector, she wouldn’t have received the part of Ophelia. The actress who was playing it took ill and I understand money changed hands. She must be keeping Lord Dervil happy.”
“The public doesn’t know that,” Kate said. “And how did she meet Lord Dervil?” She’d heard the name before, and then remembered Brandon talking about how Lord Dervil had ruined his opportunity with the bridge commission. “He’s an enemy of Lord Marsden.”
“The earl?” Silas said. “I can’t see him with any enemies. He is too good a fellow.”
“Dervil is one of those you don’t cross,” Mr. Arnold said. “He shows up in places most of us would rather he not be.”
“Well, I’ve done nothing to him,” Kate said.
Mary spoke. “Perhaps if we went to the papers and you told your side of the story, Kate?”
“They would be overjoyed,” Mr. Arnold predicted. “And they’d make up more lies. The public would feed off of it. That is how these things work. My advice is that you ignore it. You’re only here for a week as it is.” He waved his hand as if everything would disappear.
“You are right,” Kate said, and prayed that was the end of the matter. She even ignored Silas’s muttered dark warning that all Arnold wanted was her money.
In spite of the old soldier’s theory, as the day wore on, Kate was troubled to notice small gatherings of people outside on the streets in front of the rehearsal hall. They appeared to watch the door, their faces suspicious and distrusting. She chose not to go out.
One of the new actors, Harry, confirmed her suspicions when he reported he’d overheard the onlookers talking about Jess. “They are loyal to her. They carry on as if you have harmed her and they protect her.”
“I didn’t do anything to Jess,” Kate answered. “I wouldn’t.”
“I believe you,” Harry said, hands in the air as if to ward her off. “Except they act as if they know her personally.”
“Some people are a bit proprietorial about their favorite actress,” Kate said. “It’s nothing to cause concern.”
And she wanted to believe that, except the next day for rehearsal, Harry didn’t show. One other actor went missing as well. They played minor characters and could easily be replaced. Still their leaving without a word was disturbing.
Later that afternoon, another new member of the company came in with a pamphlet that was being distributed outside with the title,The Evil of One Miss Kate Addison.It was full of the same rubbish that the article had been, only this one suggested that Kate practiced the dark arts.
“The dark arts?” Kate threw the pamphlet down. “Who believes in the dark arts?”
No one answered.
Placing her hands on her hips, Kate demanded, “And they can print lies about me every day?”
Again, there was silence.
“I am not going to give in to this,” Kate vowed. “Come, we need to transport the props we’ve been using to the theater. Who will come with me?”
Robbie, Nestor, Mary, and Silas stepped forward. Reluctantly, most of the new actors joined them. They picked up tables and chairs designed specifically by Brandon forThe Tempestand set out, Kate at their head.
Those lingering on the streets didn’t approach her. There was grumbling in her direction. She chose not to hear it. Still, she could feel their eyes following her with ill intent as if she truly was some witch needing staking.
“Their minds are smaller than the Matrons of Maidenshop,” Kate muttered.
Nestor responded, “Actually, I would be happy to be back there. It was a good village.”
Kate agreed.
She was also not pleased to hear reports thatHamletat Covent Garden was playing to huge crowds. Everyone apparently wished to see the Golden Goddess. One paper reported that, although the acting was indifferent, not a bad comment should be made about the sensitive young actress “who has suffered greatly at the hand of those older and past their own prime.”
Meaning Kate.
“I haven’t even stepped on the stage and I’m being dismissed,” she complained to her actors.
No one disagreed with her. Silas spoke up then, “You will have to show your mettle, Kate. We all will.”
It was a grim pronouncement, and a true one.
