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Quinn realized when the woman looked up that it wasn't a woman at all but a girl who was no older than 19 years old.
Big blue eyes looked out of a sweet, pretty face. Quinn knew she wasn't a member of the peerage since her family would never allow her to perform on stage, that was something a lady simply didn't do.
"Good evening," she replied. Her voice was husky, far too husky for the sweet young lady she was portraying herself to be, and she batted her lashes flirtatiously. Quinn grinned inwardly because finally someone thought she was a handsome man. Quinn held her gaze as she asked, "I'm looking forward to the production this evening. I just love Shakespeare andOthellois one of my favorites. What role are you playing?"
Again the eye lashes lowered and then bat: one, two, three. "I'm playing Desdemona."
"Oh, that is grand. I know we haven't been formally introduced but I just couldn't help myself. If you please, I'm Harrison Ford and it is my great pleasure to meet you."
The lashes, again, batting in a series of three and, as innocent as she tried to portray herself, Quinn didn't miss the calculated look in those blue eyes: the potential meal ticket standing before her in the form of an interested gentleman.
"Lilly Swan, a pleasure." She moved a bit closer to Quinn which had Quinn subtly taking a step back and apologizing for touching Lilly's skirts since it was bad form for a gentleman's legs to brush up against the voluminous skirts of a lady.
"It has been some time since I've seen a play." Quinn looked Lilly up and down from head to toe and back again before she added, "Far too long based on the looks of it."
Bat, bat, bat and lower lashes, giggle.
Quinn bit her tongue to keep from laughing and forged on. "In fact, the last production I saw I have to admit that I was most displeased. The actress, I can't even remember her name, had the most unusual eyes, almost color-less, and her acting was just terrible."
It wasn't the series of bats but a visible shiver that went through Lilly before she offered, "Sounds like someone I know."
"Really?" Quinn leaned a little closer. "Doesn't sound like you and this lady got on very well."
"Katherine is no lady. She's as common as they come. Showed up at the theater a few years ago, long enough to steal some costumes before she went and landed that English Lord. I would have exposed her but those eyes, she isn't right; you can see it when she looks at you. My ma's locked up in bedlam and even her eyes aren't as wild as Katherine's. She can have her Lord as long as she stays well enough away from me," Lilly ended emphatically.
Bingo. So that is what was in it for Katherine to play along with Edwyn's charade. She really was looking to secure her future with a rich Lord. Lilly was watching Quinn expectantly so she added silkily, "An actress engaged to an English Lord? That's unusual."
Bat, bat, bat, sigh. "It doesn't have to be..."
"No, it doesn't," Quinn all but purred and, not to pat herself on the back, she made Lilly blush.
At that moment a man came hurrying over to Lilly.
"You're needed back stage."
Bat, bat, bat. "Will you be here when I'm done?"
Quinn grinned, one of those sexy grins Archer was forever giving her. "Waiting with bated breath."
Bat, bat, bat exit stage left.
As soon as Lilly disappeared, Quinn almost slapped her knee and hollered like a cowboy at a square dance. She liked being right. Quinn scanned what was left of the actors, since most now were behind the makeshift-curtain, but the remaining actors were men and she wasn't sure if she could pull off guy talk with 18th century guys.
She turned to leave when she noticed Archer and Thaddeus approaching her. They stopped just to her left as Archer looked down at her and greeted, "Evening."
"Evening." And then feeling a bit daring she added, "Fine night for the theatre."
"Agreed," Archer offered absently.
Quinn couldn't help but study Archer's profile. It was odd being in his presence and not having him notice her at all. In truth, it was kind of cool getting a chance to see him interact with his peers when he didn't realize she was watching.
At that moment a ruckus broke out between a gentleman and his not so lady-like lady. Quinn's attention was pulled from the drama when Archer offered, "Women are so trying aren't they? They really are only good for one thing and that doesn't require them leaving the bed chamber."
Quinn's head snapped in Archer's direction just as her temper flared. She didn't notice the look that Thaddeus was giving her. Since his jaw was practically touching the ground, it was clear that he saw right through Quinn's disguise. Archer continued on.
"I was talking to an actress who filled out the bodice of her dress deliciously. Not much upstairs, if you know what I mean, but she was certainly an eyeful. I should probably get her name; I bet she could teach me a thing or two in the bed chamber. All the fun and none of the headache. Once a woman thinks she's got you, she changes and starts sneaking around behind your back, lying to your face. Who needs that?"
Quinn was imagining the various ways she was going to kill Archer and then she saw it: the clenching of his jaw. Oh hell, she was busted. She started to take a step back when Archer's hand whipped out with lightning speed to wrap around her arm. Quinn accepted defeat, but not with grace, as she narrowed her eyes at him. "How did you know?"
