Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Minnie didn't know why she let him kiss her. She had become very skilled in avoiding such situations since the last time it happened. Being an actress in London meant many unwanted advances. This was the first time it wasn't unwanted. Once they touched lips she instantly remembered who he was and the last time they had been alone. Young love is the love that lingers in your mind. It sinks into who you are, even if it is only for a moment.

As she packed her things, Minnie kept careful control over her tears. She wasn't going to let the people at the party know how humiliated she felt.

"Minnie?"

Kitty was standing at the door, wringing her hand together. Kitty was like a mother to her, and the look of concern on her face hurt Minnie deeply.

"I'm afraid it has become urgent that I leave. I know how important this project was to the theatre, but I'm afraid it was a failure and now I must go."

"Did something happen? With Christopher?"

Telling Kitty about it would only cause her to worry more. "No."

"It is odd that you are such a good actress, but so bad at lying. "

Minnie had been holding a tight grip on her emotions, but she could feel her eyes welling up with tears.

"This wasn't Christopher's fault."

Once she started telling the story, the words came tumbling out in an emotional jumble. The tears were streaming down her cheek and Kitty pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe them away. The two women sat on the edge of the bed, with Kitty's arm around her shoulder. By the time she finished, a huge sense of relief rushed over her.

"That woman is a snake. Hiss, hiss."

Kitty's impersonation was so comical that Minnie couldn't help but laugh. It felt good.

"Are you sure you want to leave? If you don't, I will stand beside you and refute anything that woman says. I know that Georgiana will too."

"I'm not sure that would be enough. People saw the two of us leave the room and never return. Matilde seems very convincing and the fact that she is a lady, but I am not, will work in her favor."

"Then I will go with you."

"Kitty, no…"

"Oh hush. We arrived together and we will depart that way."

Her voice had a tone of finality that Minnie knew better than to argue with.

"But I refuse to sneak out the back door like a criminal. We were invited as friends of the family and we will leave as such."

"But Matilde…"

"I don't care about that girl and neither should you," said Kitty. "Georgiana is still the head of this household and don't underestimate her. I certainly learned not to."

Most of the guests were in the parlor when they went downstairs. Minnie would have preferred to leave without saying goodbyes, but Kitty had other ideas. She instructed the butler to get a carriage ready and put their bags in it. Then she took Minnie by the hand, lifted her head and made a grand entrance into the crowded parlour .

"I'm afraid we must return to London."

Kitty spoke loudly enough to silence the room. Minnie could feel all eyes were on them now, including those soft blue ones Christopher had.

"I hope it is not because you feel unwelcome." Georgina's eyes darted in the direction of Matilde. "You are one of my family's closest friends. I would hate to think anything has happened to make you want to leave."

Matilde didn't even have the decency to looked ashamed of herself. The woman was grinning like a cat.

"No, we just have to return to the theatre to handle a problem with the cast. Being a business woman can be such a burden sometimes."

Minnie was grateful that Kitty didn't mention anything about Matilde forcing them to leave. That would have raised too many questions. Minnie didn't want anything to embroil Christopher in a scandal . He shouldn't be held responsible for something they were both guilty of.

For a moment it looked as if Georgiana was going to say something else, but she chose to keep the thought to herself. Kitty said a few more goodbye to some of the guests before they left. Minnie kept her gaze down and simply followed quietly. Her heart was beating so loudly she almost didn't hear the footsteps following her.

"Miss Whitton." Christopher's voice made her stop. "May I have word before you go?"

She looked at Kitty, who was waiting for her to make a choice. She gave the other woman a nod, allowing her to leave the house ahead of her. Standing in the foyer, she took a deep breath before turning to face the man.

"Why are you really leaving?" he asked.

"You heard what Kitty said. The theatre needs us."

"You only arrived yesterday."

"Yes and we have had such a… special time here."

The air between the felt magnetic and she could feel a strong pull towards him. She was luckily able to resist it, digging her heels into the hardwood floor. She knew she must keep her distance in order to keep her strength.

"Unfortunately, we must leave early and miss the rest of the party. I do hope things go well for you."

The words rushed from her lips. Minnie felt the need to hurry if she was going to leave at all. Standing in his gaze she felt such longing and it was getting harder to resist.

"What things?"

"Your announcement about your marriage."

"How did you know….?" He paused, then his eyebrows drew tightly together. "Did Matilde say something to you?"

"It doesn't matter how I know. I am wishing you well."

"Is she the reason you are leaving? You don't have to worry about her being angry. I can smooth things out with her."

"I'm not worried about her."

Understanding seemed to wash over his expression. "Your reputation."

"I know if might not seem that important to an actress, but it is important to me. I can't risk it to stay."

"Matilde won't say anything. She wouldn't want to ruin her moment once I propose."

"So you do still want to marry her?"

Minnie didn't know what she expected him to give as an answer, but silence wasn't it. He stood there with a helpless look on his face. It made her angry.

"We had a moment a long time ago and you let it pass because you were too inexperienced to know better. Now you have the experience but are still fumbling it."

Minnie knew she should be gentle with him, but she had lost all patience for the situation she was in.

"Perhaps you didn't think I was proper enough then and I haven't improved that opinion, but I assure you that the woman you are about to choose is worse. She does not have your interest at heart, but only her own. "

"You don't know her the way I do."

"I know her better than you do. Please be careful."

"Minnie…"

He took a step forward and she panicked, knowing that if he reached for her she might let him get too close. Squeezing her eyes shut to prevent the tears from falling, Minnie turned and rushed from the house and back to the life she called hers.