Page 23 of The Extraordinary Florence Stoker

‘It does to me.’ I folded my arms. ‘Where were you?’

‘As it happens, we were at the Garrick, we were —’

‘Drinking and feasting while I’m left at home believing you’re at work.’

I despised myself for sounding so needy. But I wanted an explanation as to why this had been kept from me.

‘You don’t understand,’ said Bram, slumping in the new leather chair I’d ordered for him.

‘Give me a chance.’

Bram pinched the bridge of his nose wearily. ‘It’s not what you think; nothing like George implied. It’s business, Florrie, not pleasure. It is work.’ He lowered his hand. His eyes were deeply shadowed, his face pale. ‘You think it’s how I want to spend every night? Away from home? From you?’

‘I’m no longer sure. Is it?’

A dying ember in the fire shattered in a cloud of sparks and ash. He gestured for me to sit. I pulled my dressing gown around me and sat, ramrod straight.

Bram looked at me for a full minute. ‘You may not believe this, but I’ve no choice but to accompany Henry. He’s introducing me to important people; men who will ensure that once the Lyceum opens, it becomes the most sought-after ticket in town. They’re key to the theatre remaining solvent and guaranteeing not only my position, but that of everyone employed there.’

‘And these men happen to frequent the Garrick?’

‘The Garrick, Boodle’s, White’s and other places. Sometimes, Henry invites them back to his home in Grafton Street. He’ll entertain anyone who has the wherewithal to fund his productions, which means I must amuse them too.’

‘I thought his baroness friend provided the funds.’

‘She’s invested a great deal and not only in the theatre.’ Bram reached for the elegant box of cigars atop his desk – a gift from Mr Irving – and extracted one. ‘But a major venture like the Lyceum is a hungry beast, it needs constant capital to feed it.’ He used a cutter to remove the end, then roasted the foot over a candle. He sucked on the cigar a few times, smoke billowing around his head. Soon, its perfume wafted pleasantly. ‘Our potential investors need to be both feted and reassured.’

‘About what?’

‘That they’re vital to Henry, to the theatre; to the life of the city. That they’ll have a good return on their investment, which will only happen if we’re successful. To ensure that, Henry’s star must continue to rise – and that’s my responsibility.’

‘Is it? You can’t have much faith in Mr Irving’s talent.’

He peered at me through a veil of smoke. ‘I have faith in all Henry does. He’s a sure bet; that’s why I took on the job, Florrie; to be able to provide for you, give you the life you deserve.’

My anger cooled as rapidly as it had ignited. ‘Oh, Bram,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘Why didn’t you just tell me this sooner?’ I felt foolish, guilty. Like a harridan. Then I remembered the reason he hadn’t told me was because he never had the chance; he was so rarely home.

He watched my change of expression and rested the cigar across a large ashtray. He held out his palm, waiting for me to lean across the desk and place my hand in it. ‘I know it’s been hard. First, I leave you to your own devices in Birmingham while I’m at work, now here,’ he began in a conciliatory tone. ‘You’ve kept busy.’ He gazed about. ‘You’ve effected a wondrous transformation in no time.’

‘George helped. As did Mrs Daw and Emma.’

‘Ah, but it’s all your vision. Your homemaking; you’re positively talented at it.’

I harrumphed. ‘There’s only so many chairs and curtains I can order, Bram. So many walls I can wash. Help I can hire. It’s given me a short-term purpose, and it’s practically at an end. Then what will I do?’

‘Whatever you want.’ Aware he hadn’t given the right answer, Bram swept on. ‘You’re my wife, thus you’re part of the Lyceum family —’

‘And yet, Mr Irving aside, I haven’t met them.’

Bram had the grace to look ashamed. ‘I promise, Florrie, I’ll take you to the Lyceum and introduce you to everyone tomorrow.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘Make that today. I mean it,’ he said firmly, seeing doubt on my features. ‘I assure you, once the Lyceum opens in just three days, and the pressure of these last few weeks lessens, the demands on my time will ease. You’ll see. I’ll be able to show you this marvellous city properly. Introduce you to the people I’m meeting, accept invitations that I know will be forthcoming. Then, not only can you issue your own in return, but I can escort you to teas, dances, shows and more. I know it’s difficult, that as a woman there are limits to your liberty —’

I scoffed.

‘But you’ll make friends, friends to divert and occupy you. Discover new interests to keep you entertained. We’re in London, after all. All I ask is that you be patient just a little longer.’ He squeezed my fingers and released them.

I gazed into those kind grey eyes. His request wasn’t unreasonable. ‘I’ll try.’

After our (well, my) bitter words that early morning, Bram kept his promise and later in the day took me to see the place to which we were both, in different ways, beholden.