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‘Of course I will.’ Felicia stepped behind the screen. ‘Help me to change, Nancy. I don’t know where my dresser has gone.’
Nancy did as she was asked and fastened Felicia into the tight-fitting costume.
‘Ouch,’ Felicia said crossly. ‘You’re worse than that woman. She always manages to pinch my flesh. Lake must have taken this garment in at the seams, it’s too tight.’
‘I’ll loosen it a little.’ Nancy began to untie the laces but Felicia pushed her away. ‘I need to look young and slender, but if I faint from being constricted so tightly I will have Lake sacked. You may tell Garson that from me, Claude.’
‘I should go,’ Freddie said hastily. ‘I need to t-take my seat for the s-second act.’
Felicia emerged from behind the screen. ‘Do thank the earl for his kind invitation. I will, of course, reply in writing when I get a moment.’ She spun round to face Nancy. ‘You may take the rest of the evening off, my dear. I’m sure that Lord Ashton would enjoy your company.’
‘He might have come with others, ma’am.’
‘N-no,’ Freddie said hastily. ‘I c-came on my own. M-my family have reserved a box for the season.’
Felicia treated him to the full beam of her most engaging smile. ‘Then you may take Nancy to enjoy the rest of the performance.’
Nancy murmured her thanks as she left the dressing room accompanied by Freddie. ‘I’m sorry about that, Freddie.’
He took her by the hand. ‘Why? I’m delighted to have your company for the next hour or two.’
There was no time to reply as they hurried through the passageways and up the stairs to the main part of the theatre. Freddie led the way to the family box and opened the door.
‘I have a surprise for you, Nancy.’
She stepped into the luxurious box with a commanding view of the stage, and to her surprise she saw Tamara seated next to Mrs Fitzallen. Nancy turned to Freddie with a delighted smile.
‘You arranged this, Freddie?’
He nodded. ‘I did.’
Tamara rose to her feet. ‘Lord Ashton has been so kind, hasn’t he, Aunt Flora?’
‘He has indeed, and there’s more to come, Tamara. I didn’t tell you earlier but Freddie has another surprise for you.’
‘Yes, I had to work quickly, but there’s someone you may wish to see, Tamara.’ Freddie stepped outside for a moment. ‘Come in, sir.’
Nancy stood aside. She knew instinctively what Freddie had done and it was all she could do to refrain from hugging him. She watched Tamara’s expression change when she realised that it was her beloved William who was the unexpected guest.
‘William.’ Tamara glanced nervously over her shoulder as if expecting her father to materialise from nowhere. ‘I don’t know what to say, but thank you, Freddie.’
William clutched both her hands and raised them to his lips. ‘Your papa has forbidden me to see you again, Tamara, but I couldn’t keep away.’
Nancy drew them aside. ‘I happen to know that the box next door is free this evening. I know the attendant so if you would like to be private for a while, I’ll make sure you are not disturbed.’
William turned to her with a grateful smile. ‘Thank you, Nancy. And thank you, my lord, for making this possible. Heaven alone knows when I’ll be able to see Tamara again.’
‘Quite so,’ Mrs Fitzallen said impatiently. ‘You’re wasting time. Do as Nancy suggests, both of you. I shouldn’t condone such behaviour, but on this occasion I agree with Nancy and Freddie. My brother-in-law is being unreasonable.’
‘Thank you, ma’am.’ William bowed to her before ushering Tamara from the box.
‘I’ll make sure they have some privacy.’ Nancy stepped outside and went in search of the attendant. By this time she knew most of the permanent staff, both backstage and front of house, and she had often exchanged pleasantries with the man on duty that evening, who had a daughter of a similar age to Tamara. He was unsure at first, but Nancy was persuasive and in the end he agreed to turn a blind eye. Nancy returned to Freddie’s box with an easy mind.
‘You’ve both been so kind to Tamara,’ Mrs Fitzallen said earnestly. ‘She is lucky to have such good friends.’
Nancy sat down next to Freddie. ‘Do you think your brother-in-law will relent, Mrs Fitzallen?’
‘I doubt it. I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but I know Hubert of old and he is not the sort of man who gives in easily. He wants his daughter to marry well, and who can blame him? But to force her to wed a man so much older than herself is harsh, to say the least.’
