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‘How could I not, when you have just conjured the most affecting Ophelia in my memory.’
‘Would you take a chair?’ Mary once again scooped off the brocaded gown Angelica had worn during the first part of the play as Cato Rackham subsided into the seat that last supported Ivor Asprey. Angelica motioned to the table beside him and said, ‘I have only some Canary sack to offer you.’
His lordship waved the offer aside and gazed speculatively at Mary, who was busy hanging up and brushing the costumes for the following evening’s performance. It was obvious to Angelica that he wanted to speak to her in private but she was loath to be alone with him. ‘Are you returning to your club, Lord Rackham?’ she asked sweetly.
‘That depends on whether a more attractive offer comes my way.’ His voice was quiet and matter of fact but he glanced at her, askance through lowered lashes, and the look was full of suggestive meaning. Angelica shivered. She knew his reputation and was afraid that he might entrap her in some way.
He continued in a conversational way, ‘I’m returning to my estates for the weekend. I think you might like the good riding country there.’ His lordship had a way of talking in a dispassionate way but conveying his true meaning with the glitter of his eyes or the inclination of his head.
‘Lord Rackham, I am grateful for your kindness but until the play’s run is over I am not able to leave town.’ Angelica was aware of his pale beringed hand reaching for hers.
She was greatly relieved to hear a further soft rap on the door. Mary opened it to a pretty young girl with wide eyes as blue as cornflowers. Behind her stood the tall, stern figure of Ivor Asprey. Discomforted, Lord Rackham stood up and bowed low over Angelica’s hand. ‘I should be going, Miss Leigh. Thank you for a consummate performance tonight.’ Nodding briefly to Mr Asprey, he slipped from the room.
Angelica was surprised at how pleased she was to be rescued by a man whom she had thought insolent just a few days before. She looked from his impassive face to the girl’s, as pale as his was dark, as sunny as his was obscured. The girl seemed astonished to see her and when Mr Asprey introduced her to Angelica she stammered, ‘Miss Leigh, I am pleased to see you well.’
‘My daughter was so convinced by your portrayal she would not believe you still lived.’ Mr Asprey’s expression was serious but his eyes betrayed a certain amusement.
Angelica smiled and put out her hand, which the girl grasped with both of hers. ‘Come, Miss Asprey, you can see I am perfectly well, if rather cold. I am pleased to meet you.’
She answered Angelica shyly, ‘I imagined you as poor Ophelia.’ Then she gazed up with an ecstatic expression. ‘But you’re even more beautiful, Miss Leigh.’
‘Well, I thank you. And you are beautiful too,’ Angelica said as she smiled and brushed Elinor Asprey’s cheek with a finger.
Her eyes met Mr Asprey’s over his daughter’s head. An unspoken recognition of imaginative sympathy for the child united them for a moment. Then he looked away. ‘Elinor, we must go. We cannot make Lady Linus wait too long.’
‘Oh, Papa.’ His daughter wrinkled her nose and his face darkened in irritation.
Angelica laughed. ‘Miss Asprey, you’re lucky to have a courteous papa. I never knew mine, mannerly or not.’
Ivor Asprey indicated to his daughter to follow him, and bowed to Angelica. ‘Thank you, Miss Leigh, for reassuring my daughter about your health and vitality.’
The child had skipped to Mary’s side and was busy examining the costumes and appeared too engrossed to notice his command. Watching them, Angelica recalled her new friend, Isobel Fitzjames, and the tragedy that had befallen her family. She took the opportunity to take Mr Asprey aside. ‘May I ask you, sir, do you play at Hazard?’
He paused and looked at her, puzzled. ‘I used to.’
‘Do you perhaps know Lord Fulsham?’
His face stiffened. ‘He is a member of my club. I’ve seen him occasionally but he is part of a different crowd. May I ask why your interest?’
‘He’s ruined the life of a young woman I know.’
‘I’m afraid he’s quite practised at that.’ His words were dry. ‘How so this time?’
‘Her father lost to him on the gaming tables. His entire patrimony. And then took his life for the shame of it.’
‘Well, it seems Lord Fulsham has outdone himself on this occasion. The scandal was talked of in the club, and I was slightly acquainted with Fitzjames.’ His eyes were intent on her face. ‘I am puzzled, Miss Leigh; what have I to do with this sorry tale, apart from offering fellow sympathy?’ Ivor Asprey’s laconic response suggested he was bored with the conversation.
Wishing to get to the point of her enquiry before he stalked off, Angelica continued in a rush, ‘I just wondered if you knew any gamester who could play more skilfully than Lord Fulsham?’ She looked at him anxiously but was surprised when her words elicited a sharp laugh.
‘Why, pray? Do you seriously think a seasoned gambler would risk all to win back a stranger’s property, only to restore it without fee or favour?’
Angelica bristled. ‘Well, I would if I could play, and was allowed within the sacred portals of White’s or Brooks’s to do so.’ Her eyes flashed with feeling. ‘Some heinous injustices need redress, indeed with neither fee nor favour.’
‘What an admirable woman of parts you are, Miss Leigh. Not just the tragic, trusting Ophelia but a stout-hearted Maid Marian too, taking from the rich to restore justice to the poor.’ His tone had turned more amused. ‘Methinks you have an excessively idealistic view of human nature.’
‘Well, I know someone who could play the shameless lord at dice, and win,’ Angelica said with defiance, thinking of Mr Breville and hoping she was not wrong.
‘I’m most gratified to hear that, Miss Marian. Thankfully, you won’t be needing my help then.’ Ivor Asprey took his daughter’s hand and as he walked towards the door, turned to salute her in farewell. Angelica thought his haughty expression was lightened with a rather self-satisfied smile.
