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Theo paused a moment before answering. “Felix was right,” she admitted at last. “I did not know. Clem never told me.”

“Oh,” Henrietta said with obvious dismay. “Selfish creature that I am, such a consideration did not even enter my head. I was so wholly taken up with my own woes. Is there—is there any question you wanted to put to me about the business?” she asked looking pale but resolute.

“How could you do such a thing to me and Felix?” Theo asked before she could stop herself.

Henrietta flinched. “Because all I cared about was getting what I wanted,” she answered, lifting her chin. “And it seemed obvious to me, at least, that The Parthenon will not last another twelve months. Not under current management.”

Theo sighed and slumped in her chair. “How funny,” she said softly. “Did you know both of us made deals with him on the same day?”

Henrietta lifted a hand to her throat. “Do you mean to tell me he no sooner had my deeds in his hand, then he approached you for yours?” She looked slightly appalled at the notion. “I suppose you would have been ripe for any mischief after being so vilely betrayed by your own brother and sister.”

Theo said nothing. “One has to admire his single-minded determination if nothing else.”

Hetty pulled a wry face. “He offered me money and you, marriage. I wonder how he will divest Felix and Harold of their shares!”

Theo managed a smile, though the effort cost her dearly.

“Theo?” her sister said, her smile fading fast. “That was an ill-judged attempt at humor. I did not mean anything by—”

“No, no,” Theo said rising to her feet. “You have said naught amiss. I am just a little tired today.”

Hetty cast down her bonnet, but Theo was already heading toward the door. “Theo?” she called after her.

“Pray do not give it another thought!” Theo flung over her shoulder and then shut herself in her room for a hearty bout of tears.

*

The tears, funnily enough, had given her some relief for an hour or so. Theo indulged in a nice soak in the tub and felt a good deal better. She and Harold then shared a cab ride to The Eagle for Theo was meant to meet with Lil to practice a new routine and Harold, it turned out, had promised to play accompaniment for a female singing duo who had joined the temporary acts a week before.

“They are much further down the billing than yourself and Miss Longdon,” he assured her hastily, “so there will be no conflict in my performance schedule.”

“That is very kind of you Harold,” Theo assured him. She was secretly impressed by how Harold was branching out in his music hall connections. “Though you should address Lil as Mrs. Longdon by rights.” She then distracted herself for the rest of the cab ride by telling him of the reappearance of Mr. Longdon from foreign parts.

On arrival at the theatre, Theo was not entirely surprised to find Lil was a no-show. She wondered if Johnny Longdon had indeed turned up at Lil’s rooms and been confronted by his mother. If so, perhaps Lil had a good deal more on her plate than another routine rehearsal.

She had just opened Felix’s manuscript to delve back into his play for an hour or so when a rap on the door surprised her. “Come in,” she called out, thinking Lil must have turned up after all.

To her surprise, the door opened to reveal Barty Ewell stood lounging on the threshold. “Barty!” she exclaimed on seeing the wiry boxer. “Did we arrange to meet today …?” She did not think they had, but perhaps it had slipped her mind with all the goings-on lately.

“No,” he admitted, sauntering into the room. “Just thought I’d look in on you, as it happens. I was in the vicinity. Did you get my flowers?”

“Oh, I did, thank you, they were beautiful,” Theo replied promptly. “You shouldn’t have, really. I should be sending you flowers after all the time you have kindly given me. I’m so grateful.”

He swiveled Lil’s chair about and sat astride it. “Fancy getting a bit of lunch?”

Theo hesitated. In all honesty, she did not want to go to lunch with Barty, however entertaining he could be. She had his mannerisms pretty much down pat now, and besides, she wanted to read more of Felix’s play which had turned out to be an unexpectedly frothy delight.

“To be perfectly honest, Barty,” she said sincerely, “I do not think I would be very good company today. I am feeling a little out of sorts.”

He gave her a shrewd look. “Oh, yes? Trouble in paradise. Had a falling out with your hubby?”

Theo could not help but give a start at his words, though aloud she said, “Of course not!”

Barty smirked. “Only I heard a rumor,” he said, casting his eyes up to the ceiling before dropping them down to meet her own.”

“What rumor?”

“That Clem’s been banished from the marital roof.”