Even though Vivian was too smart to think it meant anything, she still blushed when he turned that grin on her as she slid in next to her friend. “One for you too, kitten?”
Vivian sighed. “Wish I could, Danny, but I’m short of change tonight.”
“I’m sure you can spot her one on the house, can’t you?” Bea said. “Nightingale needs girls on the dance floor, and Lord knows they don’t come prettier than Viv. Or better dancers.”
Danny glanced at something over their heads, and his grin grew wider. “Looks like you’re drinking on Mr. Lawrence’s tab tonight. Must have charmed him during that waltz.”
“Wish I could’ve charmed him during the Charleston, instead,” Vivian said with a grimace. “What’s Bea drinking?”
“French Seventy-Five,” said Danny proudly. “One of my specialties, if I can brag a little.”
“You always do,” Bea said, rolling her eyes, though she sighed with appreciation as she sipped her drink. “Golly, this song sounds dull without a singer. Why hasn’t Honor hired one yet?” There was a look of longing in her eyes as she glanced toward the bandstand, singing quietly under her breath.
“I will never understand the point of mixing champagne with anything else.” Vivian eyed Bea’s drink and shook her head. “It’s perfect on its own. Your best, then, if Mr. Lawrence is paying. I have a feeling he can afford it.”
“He can,” Danny laughed, pouring her a coupe of dancing bubbles. “Sorry you missed your favorite dance.”
“I’d be happy to partner you for the Charleston, Vivian.”
The low voice, honey-smooth and smoky, made Vivian jump, champagne spilling over her fingers.
“Hux, don’t startle her into wasting the good stuff,” Danny complained as Bea snorted with amusement and handed over a napkin.
Vivian felt her cheeks burning as she met the eyes of the woman who was now leaning one elbow on the bar and watching her.
No one who met Honor Huxley was surprised to find out that she ran a place like the Nightingale. Someone like Honor seemed made for the underground world, for back alleys and illegal booze, for dimly lit dance floors and strangers holding each other close.
She was tall for a woman and looked taller still because of the sharply tailored lines of her black trousers. Her crisp white shirt was open at the neck, framed by the stark lines of black suspenders. Her hair and makeup, by contrast, were almost defiantly feminine, her curly blond hair worn unfashionably long and pinned around her head, her full lips painted deep red. Those lips were curved in amusement as she eyed Vivian. “In the mood for a dance, pet?”
Vivian ignored Danny and Bea’s twin smirks as she shook her head, hoping she didn’t look as flustered as she felt. She had spent months hoping the Nightingale’s glamorous owner would remember her name. Now that she knew Honor did remember, more than remember, Vivian wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do about that.
“Thanks for the offer, but Bea’s only got ten more minutes on her break, and that’s all the time we get together.” Vivian took a gulp of her champagne and added recklessly, “Maybe later tonight?”
Honor raised an eyebrow, as if Vivian had surprised her, and her smile grew. “Maybe later,” she agreed before turning to Danny, her expression growing more serious. “Where is she?”
“Missed the waltz—probably in the ladies’, but it’s not like I can follow her there. She just got back in time to snag a partner for this one. Looks like a classy gent,” he replied. “Seems to be holding her own all right.”
Honor nodded. “I’ll be around. Get my attention if you notice anything. Beatrice—” She smiled. “Take an extra ten on your break. You’re lucky to have such a sweet friend.” Her eyes rested on Vivian a momentbefore something else caught her attention and she disappeared back into the crowd.
“I do have a sweet friend,” Bea agreed, leaning over to bump her shoulder against Vivian’s. “Pour me another, Danny, I get an extra ten. Who’s she having you watch tonight?”
“You still shouldn’t get smoked when you’re working,” he pointed out, but he was already pulling out gin and the last of a bottle of champagne. He nodded at the dance floor, chin tipping toward the corner where a mousy-looking girl in cheap shoes was dancing. “New girl.”
Bea laughed. “Lord above, she looks as terrified as you did your first night here, Viv.”
Vivian frowned. “Why are you watching her?”
Danny shrugged. “Because Hux told me to, and I do what Hux says.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Sure, butwhydid she tell you to?” She lowered her voice, though there wasn’t much need. The band and the crowd were both loud enough that anyone who wanted to eavesdrop would have to sit practically in her lap to overhear. “Does she always tell you to keep an eye on people?”
“Most nights. Honor likes to know what’s going on in her joint,” Bea said carelessly, then raised a brow at Danny’s suddenly pointed look. “Oh come on, who’s she gonna tell?”
“Sometimes it’s a fella who looks likely to cause trouble,” Danny said, relenting. “Or someone who might try to duck out instead of paying. Tonight it’s a first-timer.” He glanced back at the girl he had indicated before, and Vivian couldn’t help following his lead, though Bea didn’t look away from her drink. “I’d say it’s her first time out at all, not just here. Though she can dance decent enough, I’ll give her that.”
Vivian frowned. “Why watch a girl who’s not making trouble?”
“To make sure she doesn’t find any.” Bea took a long swallow of the second drink that Danny handed her and sighed with pleasure. “Lord love you for treating the staff to the good stuff too, honey. Honor doesn’t like it when men bother women in her place. So we keep aneye on them. Same reason she had Danny watch out for you when you first started dancing here.”
