A fresh energy pumped through me. This evening wasn’t ruined yet. There was still time to do what needed doing. Pinkertons, Clarence, Patience—none of them mattered. I still had a chance. A choice.
Porters bowed as we passed through the theater doors. Glistening crystal chandeliers greeted us, and for the first time I was able to fully inspect Clarence’s newest bodyguards. They each wore ill-fitting black suits and well-fitting black scowls. They reminded me of those Russian dolls that all fit inside one another, for the three men could have been triplets if it weren’t for their differences in size. Small, medium, large.
They looked dangerous and dependable, but I knew I could handle them.
Clarence guided me through the theater’s entrance hall. Our feet clicked on ornate marble floors and up the main staircase. On the second floor, we walked silently down long, bloodred carpets until we reached a private balcony. Once inside, Clarence plopped into a seat and lounged back. Two men settled into seats, and one stationed himself at the balcony’s entrance. A single vacant seat was at Clarence’s right, but I avoided it. I was too excited to stay still.
My mind buzzed with curiosity over Jie’s presence outside.
I hustled to the balcony’s edge and gazed at the theater’s ceiling, a painted dome that reflected the gas lights and bathed everyone in yellow warmth.
I felt good—not happy per se, but in control. No one and nothing could stand in my way. This was my life.
When the first strains of music began, I moved to my seat. I glowered at the small Pinkerton who sat at my right. He offered me a flimsy, paper program, and I snatched it from his fingers. I flipped through the pages, only pretending to read them.
I needed a plan.
“Have you the time?” I asked Clarence.
He eased out a pocket watch. “Five after nine.”
I peered in the program. The first intermission was in an hour. Would Jie still be standing there at ten? I had no way of knowing since I didn’t know precisely why she was here in the first place. I tugged at my earring and forced my mind off the subject. I could do nothing at the moment.
The lights dimmed, and the opera began. Clarence quickly slumped over into a heavy sleep. None of his guards drifted into slumber, of course.
The first act passed at an excruciatingly slow speed. I constantly adjusted my train or massaged my scalp, and the performance did nothing to keep my mind from wandering.
I used to love the opera. Much like I swooned over Shakespeare’s exotic lands, I longed to see the magical worlds of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte or Wagner’s Die Walküre. To see Germany and Austria—the lands that had inspired such beautiful music and tales.
But not tonight. Perhaps never again, in fact. How could I dream when I knew I could act instead? And with all the strange and deadly things in the world, what was there even worth dreaming about?
Elijah. No matter what Mama said, I knew that Elijah loved me. But sitting here watching a silly opera was not helping him. This was no way to repay his love. I had to leave. I had to talk to Daniel and get answers. I had to get away from here and put my mind and body to use.
Not soon, but now. Enough waiting.
“I must go to the necessary,” I murmured to Clarence, but he didn’t budge. I shook him lightly, but the only response was a sputtering snore.
I turned to the squat Pinkerton. “I must go to the necessary.”
“I’ll eth-cort you.”
I almost laughed at his squeaky lisp. It was so unexpected. Instead, I puffed out my chest and wrinkled my nose.
“You’ll do no such thing. Have you no manners, sir?” I snorted and jumped up. “I am not the one in need of protection. You must stay with your employer.”
I scurried into the hall. Willis was there.
“My head pains me,” I told him, my chin held high. “I will hire a hackney home.”
He moved toward the balcony door, presumably to wake Clarence.
I caught his arm. “Leave him. He sleeps soundly, and he needs the rest.”
Willis narrowed his eyes, and my confidence wavered. I couldn’t let him wake Clarence. I was so close to escape.
“I daresay this is as safe a place as any for him to slumber.” I pursed my lips and arched a single, prim eyebrow. “You may tell Mr. Wilcox to call on me in the morning. I expect him to inquire after my health. Thank you.”
I swiveled, my gait as imperial as I could make it, and I marched down the carpeted hall out of the footman’s sight. When I reached the stairs, I ran. My blood pounded in my ears. For all my bravery, I was terrified of discovery. Clarence’s outburst yesterday had been as unpredictable as a summer storm, and if I slowed to let my mind think, I’d be lost to cowardice.