The theatre doors closed. Murmurs, already started, grew louder. Rupert maintained his lounging position, but he had to admit the excitement in the air had also laid claim to him.
At the side of the stage, the piano player began his art. The men cheered and catcalled, though no one yet graced the stage. The music, majestic in its ordinance, forced the excitement higher, and then a fiddle joined the song, driving a madcap rhythm.
His heart felt as if it had left his chest and taken residence in his throat. Just when he thought the tension would never break, the piano and fiddle silenced. A moment, another, and Alice walked onto the stage.
The men hollered and whooped, and Alice smiled, curtseying deeply, clearly enjoying every moment. But he, dear God. He could only stare.
Bloody hell.Bloody hell.
Alice wore black. Nothing unusual about that, she always wore black, but now she wore black with an eye toward sin. No gown covered her embroidered black corset, pushing her breasts up and cinching her waist to tininess. A kind of black lace fichu flirted with the gentle swells, spanning her shoulders and arms even as it left her breasts and stomach bare, while buttons marched up her throat and bound her wrists, as if the see-through garment sought to deceive them all into believing it proper. A slim skirt hugged tight to her hips and fell to the floor, decent enough but lacking in bustle and petticoats.
His gaze drifted up. Her black hair was gathered neatly at the back of her head with no curls to distract from her face and, bathed in candlelight, her golden skin appeared warm and touchable against all the black. To top off such decadent garb, the faint smile on her blood-red lips invited one to sin.
She stood there, allowing all who wanted to look. Then, she held up her hands.
Rupert drew in a lungful of breath and only realised then he had stopped breathing. Christ. She had literally stopped his breath.
The men around him hushed, each one hanging on her every move.
Standing in centre stage, she slowly lowered her arms. Clasping her hands before her waist, she levelled her gaze on the crowd and waited. An agonizing moment became two. Three. Another. Again.
Finally, she spoke. “Welcome! Welcome to The Diamond Theatre’s Variety and Burlesque Spectacular!”
The crowd broke into cheers.
Awe filled him. Bloody hell, but Alice knew how to play a room.
Gliding to the front of the stage, she leant forward as if inviting the audience into a secret. “Tonight, for your edification and delectation, a series of acts, each more splendiferous than the last. In this hallowed hall, see the death defying antics of the Tranmere Twins, sword-swallowers and fire twirlers! Marvel at the bravery of Marie Hernandez as she performs her world-famous Snake Dance! We have singers and dancers, the magical stylings of the Great Waldino, and our own priceless jewel, Pearl la Monte!” Her expression turned knowing, as if she extended an invitation to every man in the theatre. “And, my dear sirs, as always we have for you—the Diamond Dancers!”
Women exploded from either side of the stage in a magnificent whirl of feather and spangles. The men around him guffawed and whistled, and the girls on stage winked and flirted, ramping their excitement.
Alice, of course, knew all this. Her knowing smile widened. “Without further ado, I bring you direct from her sold out performance in San Francisco—where she performed for the likes of the Prince of Milan and the Countess de Glace von Stratten—our very own precious jewel, Pearl la Monte!”
The titular Pearl la Monte swanned onto the stage, her red hair flaming in the light, the emerald green gown wrapping her body displayed her rather impressive bosom.
A grin wide on his face, Rupert leant back in his chair. Good god, this would be fun.
Alice held up her hands. The audience quieted, expectation thick in the air.
Her smile now slight, she cast her gaze over the crowd. “And so, our stage is set. We have our players. Shall we begin?”
The men yelled out an agreement.
“I said,Shall we begin?”
A roar of affirmation answered her.
“Then, without further fanfare, I give you—The Diamond Theatre’s Variety and Burlesque Spectacular!”
The piano burst into life. The dancers kicked and twirled, and the beginnings of a chorus started. Pearl la Monte moved to the centre and began to sing. She had a pleasing voice, but he hardly noticed. Instead, he watched Alice as she faded to the background, her grin changed to one full of happiness. Another step, and she disappeared into the wings.
Propping his ankle on his knee, he stared at the space she had left. Bloody hell, she was magnificent. How could he not want to hold her magnificence in his arms, feel her passion and fire?
After the performance, he would find her, and he’d see if she would share her passion with him.
