[Berkeley Brigade 10] - Shadow of Murder Read Free

considered two likely candidates for heroine. As soon as Reg clapped an eye on them he knew neither of the brassy, big-bosomed girls with bouncing bottoms and wretched accents would do for his lovely Lady Lorraine. Lorraine was a modest, retiring beauty, a lady who did not drop her aitches or use her fingers for a napkin or leer so knowingly at all the men.
    Word of what he was about soon spread through the room, for Prance was not one who could keep his mouth shut. He was soon under siege by dozens of hopeful out-of-work actors of both sexes, and while he rather enjoyed it, he could see no one here suited his purpose.
    He was about to leave for Covent Garden when his idea of a proper Lady Lorraine walked through the door. A delicate creature with raven hair like Lorraine, a sweet, innocent face and a shy manner. She reminded him of a former pet of his, a sweet little white kitten he called Petruchio, who unfortunately shed on his jacket and clawed at his furniture and had to be condemned to the kitchen. The lovely newcomer didn’t approach him but hung back from the crowd, just smiling shyly at him. She followed a few steps behind as he and Coffen escaped from the Green Room.
    When Reg stopped and looked back at her, she stopped uncertainly, then stepped forward. “I’m sorry to pester you, Sir Reginald,” she said in a well-modulated voice. She held out a well-thumbed copy of Shadows on the Wall and continued, “I was hoping you would sign this for me. I enjoyed it so much. I had my copy with me and rushed straight to the Green Room when I heard you were here, though I don’t like to go to the Green Room.”
    Reg always enjoyed giving his autograph. He carried a patent pen with him for the purpose. “A pleasure, my dear,” he said, drawing out the pen. “To whom shall I address it?”
    “My name’s Chloe,” she said, “Chloe Chalmers. I work here.”
    “I don’t recall seeing you on the stage. I can’t believe I would have forgotten you. What is the nature of your work here?” he asked, flourishing the pen and dashing off a dedication “To charming Miss Chalmers.” He handed her the book, she looked at it and gave him a soft smile.
    “I’m just a seamstress,” she said. “They call me when they need repairs on costumes. My hope, of course, is to be an actress.”
    “Have you any acting experience?” he asked.
    “Only with a touring company in the provinces. I’ve played Juliet, and also Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew. We got excellent reviews in Bath, but it doesn’t seem to count for much in London.”
    Reg made his decision on the spot. Here was the perfect Lady Lorraine. “Tragedy and comedy! Very good. And are you employed at the moment, Miss Chalmers?”
    “I’m giving the wardrobe mistress a hand, sewing spangles on gowns for a new play.”
    “I might be able to put an interesting role at your disposal. Not professionally, you understand.”
    She looked at him, her expression caught between interest and disapproval. Then she pokered up and said, “I’m not interested in any role but acting, thank you. Perhaps you misunderstood as I was at the Green Room. I never go there in the ordinary way. I just wanted to meet you, to get your autograph. I’m not looking for a — a patron. ” She spat out the last word as though it were poison.
    Coffen understood her meaning before she said it. “That ain’t what he’s after,” he assured her. “It is acting, it just ain’t in a theatre. Tell her, Reg.”
    Reg told her, in great detail, and as he spoke, her eyes grew wide and her soft, shy smile beamed. “It sounds marvelous,” she breathed.
    “I wouldn’t want to give the idea you will automatically step into the role when it goes to Drury Lane,” Prance said. “They will very likely want an experienced actress, a name, for the part. Producers will see you perform, however, and something might come of it. Are you game?”
    “Oh I should love to do it,” she cried. “I —