Flossy squeezed her brother’s arm and gave him a sympathetic smile.
We received callers in our box during intermission as if we were royalty receiving courtiers. One couple remarked on our good fortune for securing a box. No one mentioned that I’d been given the tickets.
I was introduced to yet more friends. My family seemed to know everyone and I was surprised there were still people in London they hadn’t introduced me to before now. They had a very wide circle. Everyone was so nice to me, too, inviting me to afternoon tea along with Aunt Lilian and Flossy.
“My word, look who it is,” said one of my aunt’s friends, peering over the balcony. “Come and look, Lilian. Isn’t that Lady Rumford? The woman with the teal gown and feather in her hair.”
I followed her gaze to the lady dressed in teal, seated in the stalls below.
Aunt Lilian gasped. “So it is. So sheisin London. How odd that she’s not staying with us.”
Her friend eyed her sideways. “Come, Lilian. Is it really so strange considering whoisstaying there?”
Aunt Lilian fluttered her fan at her face as she continued to stare into the audience. “Who is she with?”
The woman appeared to be alone. She didn’t speak to anyone else.
The bell to end intermission sounded and our guests departed except for a friend of Floyd’s, whom I’d met at the hotel’s New Year’s Eve ball. Jonathon sat on the seat beside me and settled in for the second act.
“I’ve been hoping to bump into you again, Miss Fox.”
I doubted that. He could have come to the hotel many times and seen me there. According to Flossy, the blue-eyed,blond-haired gentleman was something of a ne’er-do-well. He and Floyd both had a reputation with women and for attending parties hosted by a fast set. There was a charm about him, however, and I suspected there might be some substance behind his easy manner and flirtatious smile.
“It seems you succeeded,” I said, not taking my gaze off Lady Rumford.
“Are you enjoying the show?”
“Yes. You?”
“Not particularly. This is my second time. I wanted to compare the performances of Miss Clare and Miss Westwood. So far, I have to say I’m disappointed.”
“Why? Because she’s not as pretty as Miss Westwood?”
He leaned closer. “You would think I was going to say that, but actually, she just isn’t as good. She struggles to hit the high notes and her voice doesn’t carry as well. Miss Westwood was an excellent singer. You could hear her clear as a bell, no matter where you sat.”
“You sound like an admirer.”
“I was.” He spoke so softly that I turned to him.
“Did you know her? On a personal level, I mean.”
“Of course not.” His blustery tone told me otherwise. It would seem Dotty Clare was right, and Pearl had several lovers.
The lights dimmed and I could no longer see Lady Rumford. I watched the rest of the show and when the applause finished and the curtains came down and the lights came on, I immediately sought her out. She didn’t speak to anyone as she left.
“I wonder if Rumford knows she’s here,” Floyd said, following my gaze.
“Does he care?” Jonathon asked.
Floyd flashed a grin. “I hear he’s scouting for a replacement for Miss Westwood. Perhaps he should ask Miss Clare.”
Flossy wrinkled her nose. “Honestly, Floyd, do you have to be so vulgar?”
“You sound like Mother.” He got the attention of his friend. “What say you, Jonathon? Should Rumford cast Miss Clare in the role of his nextmistress?”
Jonathon stood and put out his hand to me. “We shouldn’t discuss such things in front of ladies.”
Floyd looked to his sister then to his friend and followed Jonathon’s warm gaze to me. He chuckled. “Come on, Flossy, we’ll meet them downstairs.”
