Andrew glanced at his own polished wooden stick, shifted it from side-to-side. “You don’t say.” He shifted the stick again. “Could be he was looking for an excuse to join the fight.”
“Brother,” Jane said, drawing the name out to a warning. “Did you know this at the time?”
My eyes bounced between the two of them.
“I may have had a suspicion,” Andrew said sheepishly. “But Henry swore me to silence. When I offered to...uh...go back for my own walking stick, he asked that I accompany you ladies instead. Much preferable to another black eye if you ask me.”
“Dear Lord!” I cried. “I’ve got to find him.” I made for the door when both men moved to block my path.
“You’re not going out there, Miss Kilbrid,” James said evenly. “Lord Fitzalan can tend to himself.”
“More the pity for any man who crosses his path,” Andrew added.
I glared at them. What about a little girl descended from death and madness? Would you pity her?
Anger sparked to life beside my fear. “You don’t understand. Word reached us this morning that someone might try to harm Henry tonight. It is of the utmost importance that he not be left alone.”
James’s expression darkened. “Lord Fitzalan mentioned nothing to me. Perhaps it was just a bluff. Or an ill-formed jest. Have you thought of that?”
My gaze stayed firm, even when I clenched my hands to keep from screaming. “I assure you, it was neither a bluff nor a jest. Now please move aside so I can find him.”
Before Deri does...
James and Andrew stared at me, unmoving. Fire danced on the tips of my fingers, ready to be of use. If only there were a way to put these two aside without betraying my gift. A shock to the sciatic nerves would render their legs useless. Or to the vagus for complete loss of consciousness. But surely neither action would go unnoticed.
Blast it! There must be something I could do short of paralysis or fainting!
“Stay here, Miss Kilbrid,” James said, taking me by surprise. “Lord Saxby and I will see to Henry.”
Andrew sighed. “Another black eye,” he muttered darkly.
My mouth opened in protest when Nora circled an arm around my waist. White knuckles gripped the bouquet in her other hand. “Don’t leave me,” she said quietly. “I’ve enough people to worry about without adding you to the mix.”
The protest died on my lips. Resigned, I looked between the two men. “Please hurry.”
James nodded. “We’ll return as soon as we can.”
Nora and I didn’t move at once, but continued to stare at the empty doorway. Neither of us said a word about the low rumble of voices and screams that could be heard through the many walls that separated us from the performance hall.
“Well, aren’t we a dreary group,” Justine said to help break the somber mood. “Come, Nora, let’s get you into that dowdy gray dress before the men come back. No doubt they will want to celebrate your success with supper.”
Nora’s arm fell from my waist. “Yes, of course.” She went to Justine, who had pulled the familiar gown from a long rack of clothing.
“Oh!” Jane near squealed. “Are those your costumes, Miss Rose? I swear you wear the most adorable fashions.” Crossing the small room, she started to sort through the wide assortment of silks and satins. “You best watch out Nora. I may be vying for the part next just to get my hands on some of these gowns. Selah, come look at the color of this one.”
I moved as instructed, though my heart was far from the task. “Stunning,” I said, while absentmindedly fingering the emerald cloth. In truth, even Jane’s cheerfulness sounded somewhat contrived, I assumed in an effort to distract us from other events.
“Now, where did we throw that bonnet of yours?” Justine asked, turning a small circle. “Did it get mixed in with my other hats?” She peered into a cabinet next to the costume racks.
Jane pulled out another gown. “Miss Rose wore this one in Venice Preserved. She played the most convincing courtesan.”
“Too convincing, according to some of my critics,” Justine said, her hands full of feathers and felt. “It’s not here, Nora. You may have to borrow one of mine for tonight, though I’ve nothing so plain as what you’re used to.”
Nora moved from the dressing table toward the door. “There you are,” she said. “And you’ve taken my bonnet again.”
“Goody made me laugh tonight,” a childish voice said from behind me.
I turned so quickly, the gown ripped from the hanger. Deri stood next to Nora, a familiar white cap askew on her pale head. The long ties fell loose over the front of her ragged dress and black shawl.
“You naughty girl.” Nora chucked her softly under the chin. “I told you that play wasn’t meant for young ears. Do you need another penny for supper? Is that why you’re here?”
“I’ve got one in my purse,” Jane said, the costumes all but forgotten. She made to move forward, when I grabbed onto her arm.