The Possibility of Scandal by Lesley-Anne McLeod

Author:Lesley-Anne McLeod [McLeod, Lesley-Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 19th Century, England, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Romance, theater
ISBN: 9781601742070
Publisher: Uncial Press
Published: 2015-09-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

James disliked to be at odds with his sister. He was not prepared, however, to bow to her opinions on his relationship, if such it could be called, with Mercy Waterham. Susan did not listen to his concerns over her safety and her reputation, frequently expressed as he walked her to Mrs. Mawley's after their evening performances. So he would not take notice of her worries about his behaviour. She should know, in any case, that he would never endanger the reputation of Miss Waterham.

In the past he had welcomed the opportunity to talk with his twin on their evening walks. Their discussions dissipated some of the energy which suffused him after the evening presentation. Now the short trip was taken, night after night in cool silence; their only conversation was of mundane, impersonal matters.

Thus, after Susan returned to Mrs. Mawley, James frequently found himself still full of energy. So it became his habit, on his walk to return to the Fortune, to stop in at one of the many inns and taverns situated on Wellgate and Westgate.

A tankard of ale in convivial surroundings helped him to regain his equability and dissipate his excitement. He would often chat with the locals at nearby tables: working men, labourers, merchants, clerks, all those classes to whom he had never before spoken. He found their attitudes, and myriad views absorbing. They held strong opinions, they worked hard, and they were not shy of expressing their thoughts on any and all subjects. He thought he had never laughed so much as he did during those late evening hours, or had to think so much about matters of importance.

He was sitting on one such evening, nursing a pint of ale—the Dusty Miller brewed a fine ale—when two gentlemen walked into the tavern. He recognized them at once; they were the cousins of Miss Waterham from Wentworth House. They were dressed in handsome tailcoats, extravagantly embroidered waistcoats, fine pantaloons and shining Hessians. Their hair was brushed and pomaded to a nicety, and their hats were fine silk. Though they were obviously gentlemen of means, they looked around them without condescension, and with apparently amiable intent. There were a few mutterings from the regulars, the ones James knew from past experience to have radical leanings, but they were largely ignored.

The tables and benches were well filled, despite that the day's heat had warmed with old building uncomfortably. A fug of pipe smoke, cooking smells and stale ale hung in the noisy room, though the door was propped open, by a large cobble, to the cool evening air.

After exchanging a glance, the two gentlemen came to James' table. One of them said, "You're that actor chap, aren't you? From the, what is it, the Fortune Theatre?"

James admitted that he was.

"We'll join you then. 'S crowded here tonight. Always had a yen to set foot on the stage." The older of the two, who tended to stoutness and sported a fine set of side whiskers, sat down in an empty chair without invitation.

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