Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

LIZZIE

" I haven't seen you in ages!" exclaimed Jane as she entered our flat and came running over to give me a hug.

I had spent the last two weeks over at Richard's.

His home was a beautifully restored Victorian mansion right in the center of Mayfair with an amazing view of the Thames. It wasn't exactly a hard sell to get me to stay for a bit.

It had been like a dream. Willfully forcing away any lingering questions I might have had about that infamous day, I focused on our future. Thankfully, he agreed and there was no more talk of when or how we met. Instead there were dinners, parties, trips to the museum, and nights filled with ever more increasingly kinky sex games.

Unfortunately, he was still a very busy man with numerous companies to run, so most of my days were spent curled up on a large floor cushion at the end of his office reading as I watched him work. It really was thrilling to observe him take the helm and command his countless employees. I could easily see how someone as confident and intelligent as he had amassed so many billions.

Eventually, I convinced him to let me return to classes but only until he could arrange for private tutors for me. He was in the process of hiring some of the best designers to come and personally teach me. I couldn't say no, even if I wanted to. The fact was no one said no to Richard.

It had taken longer to convince him to let me stay at my old flat a few nights a week. He finally capitulated after I agreed to a bodyguard who would be stationed outside the door at all times.

Still, I was enjoying my small breath of freedom.

The further away from him I got, the more space I felt to think over our relationship and all that had transpired. It was as if a mist was slowly dissipating before my eyes. Once more those nagging questions began to creep forward.

Who was that woman?

What did he mean about us meeting much earlier than that day with the cab?

Even further back questions began to surface.

Just how did he know where I lived? Or what school I was enrolled in? I was absolutely certain I hadn't mentioned those details to him.

As Jane stepped back from our hug, her shirt caught on my pin. It was another jewel-encrusted bird pin. I couldn't remember what designer. He had given me so many at this point. It seemed like every day I was finding one on my pillow or resting on the book I was reading or presented to me over dinner.

I now had a small menagerie of birds, each with cold black diamond eyes.

"Oops! No, I got it. Just twist. There you go!" Smiling, I walked over to my bird's gold cage and cooed to Dior and Coco. I'd missed their pretty morning songs these past few weeks. "Thanks for taking care of my birds."

Jane waved her hand dismissively. "No problem. I'm actually getting to like the little stinkers. I've even let them fly around the room a few times each day."

Jane flopped down on the sofa and patted the cushion near her. "So how is life among the rich and famous?"

"It's pretty amazing. Crazy really," I answered as I sat on the sofa and settled against the throw pillows.

"You know I'm insanely jealous of you and have to restrain myself from killing you and taking your place, right?" she teased.

Laughing, I nodded. I missed her.

"You are back just in time. The auditions are tomorrow."

"What auditions?"

"For The Lady Protests , that Victorian play I told you about. Remember, you were going for the part of the parlor maid?"

I had forgotten all about it. Being kidnapped by your overly controlling possessive boyfriend will do that to you.

"Don't tell me your new man won't let you audition," she grumbled.

Straightening my shoulders, I felt a rebelliousness uncurl in my stomach. Richard had been not only monopolizing my time but my thoughts as well. Dictating when and where we ate, and what I wore when we went out. Hell, he was even picking what I read. Each time I neared the end of a book, I would find another book resting under it. True, he always picked out the perfect titles for me, but still.

It wasn't like I was going to get the part. I had very little acting experience. Before their accident, my parents were very much against me pursuing it as a career so they would never pay for lessons or allow me to go out for pageants or plays.

Biting my lip, I stared down at my bird pin.

There was no denying Richard would not want me to audition. I knew that without even having to ask, which was probably why I never broached the subject with him. A lie by omission.

He would see this as a betrayal, pure and simple.

Did I dare?

Suddenly wanting to get a little of myself back, I decided I would dare to defy the beast.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Of course I'm coming. I wouldn't miss it."

Jane interlaced her fingers with mine and bounced on the sofa as she squealed in delight. "Come on! Let's go raid your closet for what I'm going to wear!"

I wish I could feel her same enthusiasm. The moment I agreed to defy Richard, a cold sense of dread settled over me.

The next day, I popped my head out the front door of my flat.

Trying to keep my voice calm and casual, I said, "Hey, John. Just wanted to check if you needed anything. I'm going to take a long bath with the radio on so I didn't want you to worry."

"I'm fine, Miss Larkin. Thank you."

"Are you sure? Because I'm going to have the radio on so I won't hear it if you knock."

Stop talking! You're going to make him suspicious.

He nodded. "Thank you, miss. I'm fine."

Closing the door, I leaned over and tapped my iPod player. I had queued up Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion album. It was loud and long. Not really bath time music but hopefully John wouldn't think that.

As "November Rain'" started playing, I crept back to the front door and gingerly picked up the chain. Careful not to make any noise, I slowly slid it in place. If John were to come looking for me, the chain would slow him down at least for an extra couple of seconds.

Well, the lying to Richard's bodyguard part of the plan was easy enough.

Heading to my bedroom, I picked up my backpack and put it on my shoulders. Going over to the window, I eased the frame open, cringing when it squeaked loudly. Holding my breath, I waited. No questioning knock from John.

Pushing the old wood-framed window up higher, I crept onto the metal fire escape and carefully made my way down the steep stairs till I reached the street. Checking my surroundings, I quickly ran to the Underground station.

Hopefully by the time I reached the theater my heart would stop racing.

Who knew disobeying Richard could be so exciting?

"You're late!" complained Jane as she paced in the theater lobby.

Opening the door, she ushered us both into the dark back of the theater.

"Sorry! Tube was running slow," I whispered as there were two actors auditioning on the stage.

There was no way I was telling her I had to sneak out of my bedroom window because I didn't want my boyfriend to know I was here. It was awkward enough explaining our new friend and constant companion, John the bodyguard, to her last night.

It felt odd calling Richard my boyfriend. It was too tame and too sweet of a word for him and our relationship. Boyfriends were the guys you dated in high school and college. The guy who bought you slightly wilted supermarket flowers when he screwed up and never remembered your birthday. That was a boyfriend.

Richard was something seriously next level. Protective, possessive, intense, sexy… there should be a word to describe that kind of man in your life, except I was pretty sure there weren't many men like Richard out there.

Jane handed me a clipboard. "Sign up under the females."

After I scribbled my name, she handed me two sheets of paper stapled together.

"What's this?"

"Scene from the play."

My shoulders sagged with relief. Despite cramming the infamous Chicken Soup monologue with Jane last night, I really wasn't feeling confident about it. Having to just read a scene from the play was way easier.

"How do I look?" asked Jane. "I'm up next."

Placing the paper in my mouth, I reached up and straightened the long brunette wig she had on. We had decided she had more of a chance of getting the lead if they didn't see her short hair. She was wearing one of the designs I had made in high school. It was a long fluted skirt in a beautiful hunter green. She had wanted to wear my Vampire's Wife dress but I just couldn't let her. Too many kinky memories; besides, that felt like one betrayal too many of Richard.

Taking the paper out of my mouth, I nodded. "You're good to go. Break a leg!"

Jane gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and then ran down the audience aisle to creep up the side stairs that led to backstage.

I sat down in one of the seats to watch.

She really did a magnificent job. Strutting from one end of the stage to the other. Swaying her hips as she delivered each line with a sassy wink or twitch to her mouth. One of the things I found fascinating about acting was how you could interpret a character differently. Jane was playing the lead with much more confidence than I would have.

To me the female lead seemed more fragile, almost broken. She was trapped in a toxic relationship with a man she loved but suspected of trying to murder her. It reminded me of that song lyric, every day a little death .

She knew loving him was killing her but she couldn't stop. It would be like trying to stop breathing. He was her everything and if he demanded everything from her, even her life, then so be it. An all-consuming love, deadly in its intensity.

Reaching up, I was surprised to feel a tear on my cheek. Swiping it away, I stood and headed up the side stairs. I was on next.

I met Jane backstage.

"So good!" I mouthed.

She gave me two thumbs up then mimed breaking a leg before heading to the audience seats to watch.

"Okay, next we have a Lizzie Larkin. Lizzie Larkin, are you backstage?"

Peeking around the curtain, I waved in the general direction of the voice. With the stage lights, I couldn't see beyond the first few rows. "Yes, sir!"

"Very good. I'm Jack Hutley, the director. You will be reading with Mr. Goodman over there."

A good-looking guy stepped forward and gave me a quick wave. "Hey, I'm Mike."

"Hi, Mike."

"Don't worry. You're going to do great."

I blushed and shyly thanked him.

"Players, are we ready?" asked the director.

Mike gave me a questioning look. I nodded. "All set, Jack," he called out.

"Let's take it from the top of page one," instructed Jack.

Mike took a few steps upstage. After a couple of deep breaths, he approached me with arms outstretched. "I took the swiftest horse I could find to be by your side, Lady Elizabeth. I am at your service." With that, he knelt at my feet, kissing my hands.

"I fear I am going mad," I exclaimed as I freed my hands and turned my back on him.

Trying to stay in the moment, I refused to acknowledge the truth of that statement despite the way my stomach clenched as I said the words. It didn't help that the character's name was Elizabeth. It was like I was finally uttering my darkest fear out loud, not the character.

"My dear, dear Lady Elizabeth, do not speak of such things. It is that fiend you have married. He is to blame for your melancholy."

Turning to him in shock, I whispered despondently, "Lord Radfoot, you mustn't say such things about my husband."

Seizing me by the shoulders, Mike said emphatically, "I must. I will no longer keep silent. I love you, Elizabeth."

Stay in character! Don't think about how Richard would feel if he knew another man was touching you. It's just acting. He's just an actor. We're just acting.

Never mind Richard possibly beat the crap out of your teacher for placing a hand on your hip let alone seeing a man grabbing you by the shoulders and pulling you close as he declares his love. It's just a play. Richard would understand. It's not real. It's just a play.

Who was I trying to convince?

"No, Lord Radfoot. I must not!" Breaking away, I ran off stage left.

"Great. Lizzie, come back on stage," called out the director.

Stepping around the curtain, I took Mike's offered hand. Thinking he meant to just shake mine, I was a little surprised when he continued to hold my hand as the director talked. Not wanting to make a scene, I just kept my hand in his. All the while getting more and more alarmed thinking about what Richard would do if he knew I was here, if he saw what Mike was doing.

Calling out to the other actors in the audience seats, Jack declared, "If you can, stay around for a little while longer. We may want to see a couple pairings with some new readings. If you can't stay, give your name to Sally. She's the one standing over there with the keys."

A thin woman with a cigarette dangling from her lips raised up a large ring of keys and rattled them.

"Thank you, Sally," the director deadpanned before he turned and headed up the aisle to one of the upper level boxes.

I took that opportunity to pull my hand free and run off the stage to join Jane in the audience seats.

"You were great!"

"Thanks. You did amazing too," I responded.

"Guess what I heard?" asked Jane as she leaned in conspiratorially close.

Before I could respond, she continued, her voice an excited whisper. "There is a big-time producer in the audience!"

Leaning up, I looked over the seats. "Where?"

Jane motioned with her head. "Up there in the box. The director just went up to talk to him."

Straining, I tried to see inside the box but it was all shadows. "Who is it?"

Jane shrugged. "Rumor is he just walked into the theater in the middle of auditions and announced if he liked what he saw he would finance the whole play!"

"Seriously? That's so cool. I wonder how often that happens?"

Jane snorted. "Try never. I hope he was here in time to see my audition."

We both leaned over in our seats and tried to catch a glimpse of the mysterious rich benefactor but could only see the director's shoulders.

At least thoughts of the mysterious producer were distracting me from thoughts of Richard.

Richard

"So, we are agreed. I'll fully fund the production if you delay it by two months," I stated as I watched Elizabeth with her friend down below.

The director nodded as he hugged his clipboard close to his chest. "Of course. Of course. Can I ask why the delay?"

"No. I have my reasons."

"Of course! Of course! Really, Your Grace. This is truly amazing. I had no idea you were a patron of the theater arts."

"Let's just say I took a sudden particular interest in this production."

Rising, I collected my coat and started to exit the theater box. As I shrugged into the sleeves, I added, "Oh… and the lead? You'll cast Miss Larkin."

Jack looked down at his clipboard. "The woman who went last?"

"That's the one."

"With all due respect sir, don't get me wrong, she did great but she strikes me as a little green. I'm not sure she's ready for a lead part. I was thinking maybe the parlor maid?"

Piercing him with a glare that usually made titans of industry quake, I stated flatly, "It wasn't a request."

Jack bowed as if I were a king. "Yes, sir. Of course, sir! Whatever you want, you get!"

Exactly.