Chapter 11 #2
But Pearl seemed to have no regrets, no sorrows.
She had not showered her little girl with gifts, and when she did buy her a Christmas gift, it wasn’t what a girl her age would want.
Indeed, according to the Larsens’ neighbor, Pearl only visited once a year, at Christmastime.
That wasn’t a woman who missed her child and wanted her back.
If Millie was Pearl’s daughter, Pearl’s heart was cold indeed.
Perhaps Mrs. Larsen was telling the truth and Millie was indeed her child, not Pearl’s. If so, my theory that she’d killed Pearl to stop her taking Millie lay in tatters.
I headed back to the hotel with a heavy heart. It seemed like the more I learned, the further away from the truth I got.
The Piccadilly Playhouse looked different at night.
With all lights blazing in the foyer and audience members dressed in their evening finery, it became a glamorous wonderland, much like the Mayfair Hotel.
Mr. Alcott had given me five tickets, one for each of the Bainbridges and myself.
Uncle Ronald had initially declined, but after discovering the seats were in the box on the second tier, he changed his mind.
Mr. Alcott was right when he said they were the best seats, and my uncle wasn’t going to give up an opportunity to be seen.
The show was a little dull, the story lacking something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. The performances were excellent, however, although Floyd didn’t think so.
“Pearl Westwood was better.” Seated between Flossy and me, thought he’d been enjoying the show, until he yawned.
Flossy nudged him with her elbow. “You’re only saying that because she was more beautiful than Dotty Clare.”
Aunt Lilian rapped Flossy on the shoulder. “If you’re going to talk, be more subtle. People are watching.”
Flossy pouted. “He started it.”
“That’s enough, Florence. You’re a lady; act like one.”
Floyd snorted, earning himself another jab from Flossy’s elbow.
Uncle Ronald leaned forward. “I expect better from you, Floyd.”
“I know,” Floyd muttered in hushed tones so his parents couldn’t hear. “I’m never good enough.”
Flossy squeezed her brother’s arm and gave him a sympathetic smile.
We received callers in our box during intermission as if we were royalty receiving courtiers. One couple remarked on our good fortune for securing a box. No one mentioned that I’d been given the tickets.
I was introduced to yet more friends. My family seemed to know everyone and I was surprised there were still people in London they hadn’t introduced me to before now. They had a very wide circle. Everyone was so nice to me, too, inviting me to afternoon tea along with Aunt Lilian and Flossy.
“My word, look who it is,” said one of my aunt’s friends, peering over the balcony. “Come and look, Lilian. Isn’t that Lady Rumford? The woman with the teal gown and feather in her hair.”
I followed her gaze to the lady dressed in teal, seated in the stalls below.
Aunt Lilian gasped. “So it is. So she is in London. How odd that she’s not staying with us.”
Her friend eyed her sideways. “Come, Lilian. Is it really so strange considering who is staying there?”
Aunt Lilian fluttered her fan at her face as she continued to stare into the audience. “Who is she with?”
The woman appeared to be alone. She didn’t speak to anyone else.
The bell to end intermission sounded and our guests departed except for a friend of Floyd’s, whom I’d met at the hotel’s New Year’s Eve ball. Jonathon sat on the seat beside me and settled in for the second act.
“I’ve been hoping to bump into you again, Miss Fox.”
I doubted that. He could have come to the hotel many times and seen me there.
According to Flossy, the blue-eyed, blond-haired gentleman was something of a ne’er-do-well.
He and Floyd both had a reputation with women and for attending parties hosted by a fast set.
There was a charm about him, however, and I suspected there might be some substance behind his easy manner and flirtatious smile.
“It seems you succeeded,” I said, not taking my gaze off Lady Rumford.
“Are you enjoying the show?”
“Yes. You?”
“Not particularly. This is my second time. I wanted to compare the performances of Miss Clare and Miss Westwood. So far, I have to say I’m disappointed.”
“Why? Because she’s not as pretty as Miss Westwood?”
He leaned closer. “You would think I was going to say that, but actually, she just isn’t as good. She struggles to hit the high notes and her voice doesn’t carry as well. Miss Westwood was an excellent singer. You could hear her clear as a bell, no matter where you sat.”
“You sound like an admirer.”
“I was.” He spoke so softly that I turned to him.
“Did you know her? On a personal level, I mean.”
“Of course not.” His blustery tone told me otherwise. It would seem Dotty Clare was right, and Pearl had several lovers.
The lights dimmed and I could no longer see Lady Rumford. I watched the rest of the show and when the applause finished and the curtains came down and the lights came on, I immediately sought her out. She didn’t speak to anyone as she left.
“I wonder if Rumford knows she’s here,” Floyd said, following my gaze.
“Does he care?” Jonathon asked.
Floyd flashed a grin. “I hear he’s scouting for a replacement for Miss Westwood. Perhaps he should ask Miss Clare.”
Flossy wrinkled her nose. “Honestly, Floyd, do you have to be so vulgar?”
“You sound like Mother.” He got the attention of his friend. “What say you, Jonathon? Should Rumford cast Miss Clare in the role of his next mistress?”
Jonathon stood and put out his hand to me. “We shouldn’t discuss such things in front of ladies.”
Floyd looked to his sister then to his friend and followed Jonathon’s warm gaze to me. He chuckled. “Come on, Flossy, we’ll meet them downstairs.”
My heart sank as Flossy followed her brother out of the box, knowing full well why he wanted to leave me in Jonathon’s presence. Even my aunt and uncle left after seeing Jonathon put out his arm for me. My uncle looked pleased.
I took Jonathon’s arm and allowed him to escort me out of the box and down the stairs. We joined the audience exodus heading for the foyer. I’d completely lost my family.
Jonathon noticed me craning my neck. “Don’t worry, we’ll find them.” He patted my hand, resting on his arm. “And if not, I’ll walk you back to the hotel. It’s not far.”
“What about your family? Didn’t you come with them?”
“I did, but I’ll let you in on a secret.” He bent his head to mine. “I’m old enough to find my own way home.”
“Very amusing.”
“In fact, I’m even old enough to escort young ladies home.”
“People will talk.”
His eyes gleamed with humor. “Let them.”
I didn’t like the warmth in his voice. It was much too familiar, too hopeful. Our path joined with those coming out of the auditorium from the ground floor stalls. I searched the sea of heads, hoping to spot my family or even Lady Rumford.
“The layout of this theater is appalling,” Jonathon said as we shuffled forward. “Do you have a ticket for your coat?”
I handed him my cloakroom ticket and he left me standing near the refreshment counter with a cluster of other ladies, also waiting.
I stood on my toes but could not see my family.
I resigned myself to a walk home with Jonathon; I was going to have a word with Flossy in the morning about not abandoning me in future when Jonathon was circling.
A familiar figure in the midst suddenly looked up and scanned the faces of the crowd. Mr. Armitage was so tall that he soon spotted me. He nodded in greeting and bobbed his head to speak to someone at his side. A moment later, he headed my way.
“Good evening, Miss Fox. Did you enjoy the show?”
“Yes, thank you. We had a good view of the stage.”
“I know. I saw you up in the box like the royal family.”
I laughed. “The tickets were free. Someone must have pulled out at the last moment and I was at the theater at the right time.”
Mr. Armitage’s parents appeared out of the crowd but remained a little distance away. I nodded and smiled at them both, and I received a smile from Detective Inspector Hobart in return and a curt nod from his wife. She still hadn’t forgiven me for costing her son his job at the hotel.
“How nice of you to come with your parents,” I said.
“It was my Christmas gift to them.” Mr. Armitage stretched his neck to get a better view of the crowd. “Are you looking for the Bainbridges? Because they just left.”
I sighed. “Tell your father there’s going to be another homicide.”
“What?”
“I’m going to kill Flossy when I see her.”
He laughed softly. “I hadn’t pegged you as being so dramatic.” He thought about it then shrugged. “Actually, I take that back. The way you stormed out of my office this morning was a performance fit for the Playhouse.”
I tilted my chin up at him. “I did not storm out. You were making fun of me so I thought it best to leave before our friendship crumbled any further.”
“I wasn’t making fun of you.” His low, melodic voice held no hint of humor. It rumbled like the sound of distant drums, vibrating through me. “And our friendship is alive and well—if you want it to be.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but it died on my lips. I didn’t want to utter a trivial quip. I wanted him to gaze at me like that all night. Like there was no one else in the room.
“Your coat, Cleo.” Jonathon’s words burst the bubble surrounding us like a pin in a balloon.
I accepted the coat and cleared my throat. Since Mr. Armitage didn’t immediately move off, I had to introduce them. Indeed, Mr. Armitage looked somewhat taken aback by the arrival of a stranger bearing my coat.
As it turned out, they weren’t strangers to each other.
“You look familiar,” Jonathon said. “Are you an acquaintance of the Bainbridges?”
“Something like that.” Mr. Armitage bade us goodnight and rejoined his parents.