Arden's Act by Elizabeth Thomas

Author:Elizabeth Thomas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Michigoose Press
Published: 2020-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Arden’s “first return performance” turned out to be a starring role in the play from which her father had taken her name. Mary Betterton had been taking the female lead exclusively while Arden was away, but she graciously stepped down to play Celia to Arden’s Rosalind, knowing what an audience draw a publicized return to the stage after a long absence might be. If it proved London did not care much that Arden had come back, then she and Mary would switch roles for the duration of As You Like It’s run. Arden especially appreciated Mary’s good humor, considering Thomas Betterton would play Orlando. Kitty Brinks would lend her comedic presence to Phebe.

Her hurried rehearsal for the role and her struggle to revise what she knew to be perfect language into dactylic hexameter, however, depressed Arden. She wondered what Brian used to feel like, mangling the Bard. She could not help envying Rosalind’s ability to manipulate a happy ending for herself, her family, and even brief acquaintances. But Rosalind not only had the Bard on her side; her obstacles made not half the vast and dreadful mountain Arden saw blocking her path to happiness. Rosalind’s father might be exiled, but he still breathed. Orlando was not promised by family and duty to another, and Rosalind herself never ruined any chances for marriage above her station by performing on a stage. On the other hand, Arden thought, managing a smile, Rosalind never had the joy of independence, nor the thrill of thunderous applause from an audience. Her performances were strictly for private consumption.

Rehearsal also got Arden past her discomfort in the presence of Kitty Brinks. Kitty played the young woman who falls in love with Rosalind while she masquerades as her male alter ego Ganymede. Though a stiff silence enclosed their first few exchanges of dialogue, the woman whom Lord Robert took practically in the street broke through the barrier as soon as possible.

“Arden, you can’t freeze me over that,” she protested, raising titters from the rest of the cast.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Arden returned, though obviously the entire Duke’s Company did.

“That bit I had with Lord Robert,” Kitty explained patiently.

“None of my affair,” said Arden curtly.

“Indeed not, considering dear Brian was still walking the earth and sleeping in your marriage bed,” agreed Kitty. “I’m sorry for your loss, Arden,” she added, genuinely tender. “I’m sure we all miss him.” Kitty stretched her arms to embrace Arden, and Arden yielded. As Kitty hugged her, she whispered: “Besides, you can have Lord Robert back any time you want, you know.”

Arden stared at her, bewildered, as they drew back from one another. “No one here would think the worse of you,” Kitty explained in a low voice. Then, in a more normal tone, she added, “We all know you truly loved Brian.”

Fighting simultaneous urges to laugh and cry, Arden said: “Thank you, Kitty.” She could no longer hold anger towards someone who understood her so well.

*****

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