Teetering slightly, she turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror again. And liked what she saw.
All that was left now was for Theodosia to let Earl Grey back inside, feed him, and grab a quick snack for herself. Maybe a piece of cheese and some fruit. Just something to keep her blood sugar up.
So, okay. She smiled to herself. I’m all ready.
She was poised to descend the first step when she had a quick afterthought. She shuffled back into her bedroom, pawed through the top drawer in her dresser, and found a comb. It was a tortoiseshell-patterned comb that was embedded with pearls. A comb that had once belonged to her mother.
She tucked the jeweled comb into her hair. It was a kind of talisman, she decided. A talisman that she hoped would guard against anything bad happening tonight.
16
The street outside the Montagu Opera House teemed with shiny black limousines and town cars, all dropping off their passengers in front of the arched and beveled glass doors. Huge searchlights scoured the night sky, beaming their special welcome for opening night.
Theodosia paused just inside the front door, her feet sinking into the plush red carpet. She turned slightly to enjoy the scene, watching tuxedo-clad men and women in designer gowns greet each other amid a flurry of genteel hugs and spirited air kisses. Then she and Drayton swept up the grand circular staircase, passing under a glittering chandelier, in true Hollywood fashion.
“La Bohème is one of my favorites,” Theodosia said as they sailed up, up, and up. “In fact, it’s the first opera I ever saw.”
“Ah,” Drayton said. “Your first opera so often becomes your most favorite.”
“From the moment the curtain went up, I was captivated. I knew I’d discovered my new passion.” Theodosia inhaled deeply as they breezed along the mezzanine balcony. Ripples of excitement coursed through her and she was feeling what surely had to be a contact high from the crowd that swarmed through the theater. She tossed her head. “But I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the grandeur of this building.”
“I hope you never do,” Drayton said. “I hope there’s always a little thrill to be had.”
Theodosia was feeling very elegant and haute couture in her cashmere and silk. And Drayton certainly looked magnificent in a tuxedo that he’d had custom tailored in England a few years ago. His antique amber-and-gold cuff links flashed each time his wrists moved.
“I’ve always had a place in my heart for the character Rodolfo,” Drayton said as he led Theodosia along, nodding to the occasional acquaintance. “There’s something true and lasting in him. He pursues his dream with such fervor.”
She smiled. “You mean he pursues Mimi.”
Drayton turned toward Theodosia with a twinkle in his eye. “I meant that he was looking for true love.” He hesitated, seemed to realize just where he was, and said, “My goodness, here we are at our seats already. Welcome to the rarefied world of the opera buff.” He pulled open an ornately carved wooden door with a polished brass handle and stood aside for Theodosia to ease her way past him.
Which brought her into a dimly lit private box complete with four plush seats.
“These are our seats?” Theodosia asked. She was stunned. The box seats were basically a private and amazingly elegant perch situated high above the entire theater, with an unobstructed view of the stage.
“Two of the seats are ours, anyway,” Drayton said. “I share this box with Edith and Howard Pinckney.”
Theodosia took in the purple velvet seats, gold velvet draperies, and gilded walls. “I feel like we just time-traveled back a hundred years or so. To Belle époque Paris or Emperor Franz Joseph’s Vienna.”
Drayton nodded. “Yes, well, do sit down and enjoy it.” He sat down as well, only to spring up a few moments later when the Pinckneys arrived.
A flurry of introductions ensued, and then Theodosia had the distinct pleasure of leaning out over the brass railing to survey the crowd below. Everyone looked fabulous, of course, from the dazzling couples still streaming in, to the tie-and-tailed orchestra up front. And the buzz of conversation, mingled with occasional laughter and the low sound of musical instruments being tuned, ratcheted up her anticipation even more.
“This place is just remarkable,” Theodosia whispered. She crossed her ankles and tried to settle in for the show, but her nerves were getting the best of her. Opening-night jitters? Yes! She couldn’t wait for the opera to start.
“These seats are well worth the investment,” Drayton whispered back. “What’s life without a little splurge here and there?”
As the orchestra finished their warm-up, a zip of anticipation filled the air and a hush fell over the audience. Everyone could feel the pulse of energy in the theater.
Drayton set his Playbill aside and leaned forward expectantly.
The house lights dimmed until there was almost complete darkness.