Love Drives In (12 page)

But the time had come when she must be brave, whatever the consequences.

As they drove home she tried to think of the right words. When they reached the house she waited until they had gone inside before taking a deep breath and saying,

"My Lord, there's something I must tell you."

"One moment – " he had turned to the hall table where a letter lay, evidently having been delivered while they were out. He tore it open and an expression of delight spread over his face.

"Thank goodness!" he said, waving the contents. "I was afraid I might not be able to get them."

"Get what, my Lord?"

"Tickets. Theatre tickets. They're like gold dust. No, no – " he saw her expression and hastened to reassure her. "This isn't like that other time. These are for the Gaiety Theatre, where the greatest stars appear and royalty attends. I have a box. Do say you will share it with me."

"But when," she asked, half laughing at his boyish enthusiasm.

"Tonight. Say you'll come."

"Be ready to leave in an hour."

She had a thrilling few minutes going through her clothes, overjoyed that once more she was free to dress up. Tonight she could look beautiful again, for him. All for him.

The dress she chose was gold satin and tulle. With it she wore a gold necklace and ear rings. She knew she looked fabulous and exotic, and a far cry from the business like female she had been recently. And when she descended the stairs, the Earl's eyes told her the same thing.

He too was dressed magnificently in white tie and tails. A glittering diamond adorned the frilly breast of his evening shirt, and for a moment she was swept back to the Alhambra and the man who had accosted her, fatuously sporting a fake diamond. But this time, instead of being upset, she could see the funny side.

"What is it?" he asked, seeing her smile.

"Nothing. A private joke." It would not be a good idea to remind him of the Alhambra.

"I wish you would not keep anything private from me."

"It isn't important."

"One day I will get to the heart of your mysteries. But I'll leave it for now."

It was a short journey to the Gaiety Theatre. They found a crowd outside, buzzing with excitement, as though awaiting some great event.

Looking at the posters, Dorina thought she knew what it was.

By Popular Acclaim
the posters declared,
the return of the Great Actress – Lily Langtry. HER FIRST LONDON PERFORMANCE FOR MANY YEARS.

"She was the 'close friend and companion' of the Prince of Wales," the Earl supplied. "That's a very polite way of describing their relationship. I hope I haven't offended your sense of propriety."

"Yes – no – that is – "

Dorina answered vaguely because she was still shocked at herself for the slip she had almost just made. When she had said, "when I – ", she had meant to say, "when I met the Prince," and stopped herself just in time.

The Prince of Wales knew the value of a wealthy middle class, underpinned by successful entrepreneurs. It was even rumoured that when the horseless carriage was finally invented, he would be its first customer.

He had given several receptions for businessmen. John Radford had been invited to one and taken Dorina with him.

She could still remember the excitement of catching her first glimpse of the heir to the throne, and the extremely beautiful woman with him. Someone had whispered that it was Lily Langtry, the Prince's mistress.

All society knew that the middle-aged prince was a notorious womaniser, despite having a lovely wife and a large family.

Dorina had approached him with fascination, curtsied low, and been rewarded with five minutes of his attention, during which she had had the feeling that he was mentally stripping her clothes away. It was shocking, but she realised that he was a man of great charm.

Lily Langtry was also delightful. Dorina could see that the 'Jersey Lily', as she was known, really did have the perfect milk-maid complexion that her reputation claimed. She seemed unperturbed by her royal lover's wandering eye – possibly because she was so used to it.

Soon after that evening his eye had wandered away from Lily altogether, and he had become devoted to the Countess of Warwick, his 'Darling Daisy'. Lily had gone to America to capitalise on her fame. Now she was back in London for a sell-out season.

They were almost the last to arrive, and the auditorium was already full to bursting point. The Earl led Dorina to a box in the first tier, and held the seat for her while she sat down.

"We're only just in time," he said. "The performance is about to begin."

That was lucky, she thought, realising that she was very conspicuous here. Although she had never moved in High Society, she had sometimes met those who did. Now she noticed several people down in the stalls whose faces she recognised and who might recognise her.

Thank heavens the theatre was lit by electricity, she thought. In a few moments the lights would go down and the darkness would shield her.

But before that could happen, the orchestra struck up loudly, and the audience rose to its feet applauding.

With horror, Dorina looked across at the box immediately opposite, and saw the Prince of Wales enter with Lady Warwick.

He stood there, handsome and smiling behind his dark red beard, just beginning to be tinged with grey. His air was genial. He knew that his future subjects loved him and forgave him his peccadilloes and he enjoyed this kind of occasion above all others.

Beside him, 'Daisy' Warwick stood, swathed in diamonds, supremely beautiful and assured.

'Heavens!' Dorina thought. 'He's looking straight across at us. Suppose he recognises me?"

She lowered her head, trying to reveal as little of her face as possible. To her relief the lights began to go down, and everyone could sit.

"Did you see who's with him?" the Earl murmured. "That's darling Daisy, of whom you may have heard."

"Who has not?" Dorina replied. "I suppose it's impossible for him to have a love affair without it being written about in the newspapers, and talked about incessantly."

"You are quite right," the Earl agreed. "That's one of the penalties of being a Prince, or even having an ordinary title, like myself. I am sure a good half-dozen people in the theatre tonight are wondering who is the lovely unknown lady by my side, and how far our love affair has gone."

Dorina laughed.

"Of course they are not thinking that," she replied. "They are merely thinking you are very smart, and they wish they were with you rather than the dull men they are sitting with."

The Earl laughed.

Then he said,

"You are here to feel romantic, and you certainly look romantic. So let us enjoy ourselves and not worry what anyone else may think of us."

"I wouldn't be so conceited as to expect them to think about me anyway," Dorina retorted.

"Then let me tell you that you are looking very lovely," the Earl said. "I think it would be difficult to find anyone to beat you."

Dorina smiled and teased him,

because you won't even notice me when Lily Langtry appears."

"You know what she looks like then?" he asked curiously.

"But of course. Everyone does, since her face has been used in so many advertisements," Dorina said, thinking quickly.

Then the curtain rose and she could breathe freely again.

The show was highly coloured and fast moving with wonderful tuneful music. Everything about it was brilliant.

First there was a chorus of elegantly dressed young ladies, dancing, turning this way and that, flirting over their shoulders at His Royal Highness.

The words of the song were a little risqué, but just within the bounds of propriety.

They were followed by a comedian with a vulgar manner and a very broad line of humour. Glancing across at the royal box, Dorina noticed that the Prince's sense of humour was evidently not subtle, as he roared with laughter at the broadest jokes.

Lady Warwick was different. She joined in the Prince's laughter, but only in a polite way. Obviously she was 'on-duty', keeping a jealous eye on her 'property'. Dorina wondered how she felt having to sit through a performance by the divine Lily.

At last, after a nicely-judged delay to whet the audience's appetite, there was a fanfare from the orchestra pit. On the stage a pair of glittering inner curtains parted to reveal the tall, voluptuous figure of a woman.

Slowly she looked from left to right, taking in the whole theatre, and finally coming to the royal box. It might have been only imagination that her gaze lingered on the Prince.

The next moment she began to sing.

Too long away, too long apart,

What strange sensations in my heart.

The whole song was like that, a provocative ditty about good times past, lovers meeting again, sharing pleasure.

Remembering those things we shared,

Things spoken and unspoken,

Some that are secret for always.

But we both know those secrets,

We shall know them forever.

She finished with an outrageous wink at the royal box and the audience cheered. The Prince applauded, eyeing her with pleasure. Lady Warwick also applauded, but she was eyeing the Prince.

The Jersey Lily sang another song, even more suggestive than the first. When she had finished there was more applause, which she acknowledged graciously and with many smiles.

And it was clear that most of her smiles were for her royal admirer, who was waving to her, beaming.

"His Royal Highness is quite shameless," Dorina said.

"I'm afraid he is," the Earl agreed. "But can you blame him when women throw themselves at him all the time? And he's always interested in new conquests."

She looked away quickly, hoping against hope that he had not seen her clearly, or remembered her from their last meeting. Thank goodness the performance was continuing.

But as the curtain fell for the interval the door to their box opened and a footman entered. Bowing to the Earl, he said,

"Lord Kennington?"

"Yes."

"His Royal Highness presents his compliments and hopes that you and your companion will join him in a small reception he is holding backstage during the interval."

"We shall be delighted," the Earl said. To Dorina he added, "You'll enjoy meeting the Prince."

"Oh no, I can't," Dorina said hurriedly. "I'm just a secretary. I'm not the sort of person who meets royalty."

"Is that what's troubling you? It's nonsense. You are entitled to meet anyone you want."

Now she understood. He was trying once more to make amends for the Alhambra, by showing her how high she stood in his esteem. At any other time she would have rejoiced, but tonight it was too dangerous.

"You are very kind, but you can't introduce your secretary," she said frantically. "He'll think you're mad."

"Not when he sees you. You mustn't worry if he flirts with you a little. He means no harm and I'll be there to look after you."

He rose and offered her his arm. Reluctantly Dorina took it and followed him out of the box. The footman led the way down a red-carpeted corridor.

The reception room was crowded when they entered and there were several people in front of them, waiting to be presented to the Prince. This was her last chance to prevent a disaster. Only desperate measures would do.

She swayed, leaning dramatically against the Earl, who turned to her in alarm.

"Miss Martin! Good heavens, what is the matter?"

"I feel so faint," she whispered. "It's hot in here –
ooooooh!"

"Miss Martin – Dorina!" he said hoarsely.

Through half open lids she could see his face leaning over hers, distraught.

"It's so hot in here," she gasped. "Take me out, quickly."

They were almost at the head of the line. The Earl looked around distractedly.