Larken (14 page)

Two days later, Brandon, Larken, and Myles departed for London. Although Nell and Brandon’s valet were to travel on the same train with the family, most of the other servants had already been sent on ahead. Determined to show no fear in front of Myles, Larken plastered a pleasant expression on her face during the carriage ride to the train station. Brandon held her hand the entire time, and she took great comfort from his warmth. Despite her nerves, she marveled at how much better it was to travel with a loving family than alone.

At the station, Brandon left Larken and Myles on the platform while he went to purchase tickets. Nell and Brandon’s valet chatted nearby, next to the luggage. Myles was very excited to watch the train arrive.

“It looks like it’s flying!” he exclaimed.

Riding on the train feels like we’re flying on the magic carpet from
Arabian Nights
.
Larken suddenly felt the blood drain from her face, and the tips of her fingers grew icy cold. She wasn’t sure whether the platform was shaking from the approaching train or if she was dizzy, but when Brandon’s steadying arm wrapped around her waist, she was grateful.

“Are you all right?” He peered at her. “You’re very pale. For a moment, I thought you were about to faint.”

“For a moment, so did I.”

The train’s squealing brakes made her flinch, but Brandon gave her a comforting squeeze. “Take a deep breath. You’re going to be fine.”

Myles’ fingers crept into hers. “We’ll take care of you.”

She gave him a tremulous smile. “I’d vowed to be courageous, but you’re the one who is brave.”

With Brandon and Myles by her side, she managed to board the train. When they’d settled into a compartment, she put a few drops of laudanum on her tongue. She drew several deep, shuddering breaths into her lungs and forced her shoulders to relax. Despite her emotional discomfort, she was certain she was doing the right thing by going to London. Although she longed to tell Myles and Brandon the real reason for the journey, there was still a distinct possibility she was mistaken. Since no dandelions or candles were available to wish upon, she sent up a silent prayer her plan would be successful.

Most of the fashionable families had already abandoned town for their grouse moors in Scotland when they arrived, but that bothered Larken not at all. Brandon took her and Myles sightseeing, to the zoo, and out to splendid restaurants. When she and Brandon went riding on Rotten Row, they even met one of his old friends and his wife. The couple came to dinner at their house that night, and Larken was thrilled with her new acquaintances. Despite all the amusements, however, she never lost focus on why she’d come to town. Nearly a week after they’d arrived, Myles gave voice to the question uppermost on her mind.

“When are we going to see Lord Apollo?” He reached for syrup to drown his waffle.

“This afternoon,” Brandon said.

Larken felt a stab of excitement, but she maintained her composure. “I think we’ll enjoy the performance very much.”

“Are we going home afterward? I miss my pony,” Myles said.

“We’ll probably be here another few days. Monday morning, we’re to interview applicants for a nanny.”

The news came as a surprise to Larken. “A nanny?”

“Yes, if we can find one we like. I wish to lay claim to a little more of your time,” Brandon replied.

Myles made a face. “I don’t want a nanny! I have Larken.”

“Let’s give the idea a chance, shall we? At any rate, I have another inducement for you. I was thinking about getting you a dog.”

The frown disappeared. “I’ve always wanted a dog!”

“It will all depend on your behavior toward the nanny. If you can demonstrate gentlemanly manners, I’ll consider the dog.”

“You promise?”

“Upon my honor.”

Myles dug into his breakfast with renewed enthusiasm, and Larken exchanged an amused glance with Brandon. When they had a moment alone, she told Brandon how brilliantly he’d managed to avert the crisis.

“You’re doing beautifully with Myles, but you must promise not to hire a nanny who is no-nonsense. I couldn’t bear it.”

“Since you’ll be doing the interviews, you may hire whoever you like. I told the agency director to only send us candidates with a touch of whimsy.”

Larken stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

The Adelphi Theatre was just as beautiful as Larken remembered, with its magnificent, domed ceiling and intricate woodwork. Because they were attending a matinée, Brandon had no trouble obtaining front row seats in one of the boxes closest to the stage. On her previous visit, Larken and her parents had sat in the dress circle. Although her view had been splendid enough back then, if she leaned out of the box now she could almost touch the curtain.

Myles was beside himself with excitement, swiveling his head to and fro as he tried to absorb all the details of the circular venue. He seemed particularly fascinated with the musicians in the orchestra pit and the shining chandelier far overhead. Although Brandon seemed oblivious, Larken couldn’t help but notice curious glances cast their way from some of the more elaborately dressed patrons. At first she felt self-conscious about the attention, but since she was pleased with her coiffeur and ice-pink gown, she decided to ignore it. Increasingly difficult to ignore, however, was her racing pulse. The performance was only minutes away, and she’d begun to worry she’d made the wrong choice by not telling Brandon the real reason they’d come. It was on the tip of her tongue to confess when the lights dimmed and the music began. Her heartbeat hammered in her ears as the actors took the stage, but Lord Apollo was not to make his entrance until the second scene.

As the melodrama progressed, Myles was transfixed. To Larken, the actors might as well have been speaking Swahili for all she absorbed. Her palms were moist, and her shoulders felt tense. Nevertheless, she feigned pleasure and kept a composed expression. When Lord Apollo appeared at last, clad in a blond wig, Myles wiggled and tugged on Larken’s sleeve. She nodded and patted his hand, but she was consumed with worry for her husband. Brandon’s shocked expression was visible in the glow of the stage lighting. He’d leaned forward in his seat, his body nearly rigid, and his mouth opened slightly.
I was right. Lord Apollo is Theo.

Larken tore her gaze away from her husband, unwilling to act the voyeur while he dealt with the knowledge his beloved brother was still alive. She could not begin to guess his thoughts, and felt wretched at the responsibility she bore for his current emotional tumult. Instead, she fixed her attention onto her brother-in-law. Lord Rowe had said the man was air to Brandon’s fire, and the comparison was apt. They bore a striking resemble to one another, but Theo’s edges were more sharply drawn, and his bones were thinner and lighter. As a fourteen-year-old girl, she’d been attracted to his face, which was almost androgynous in its beauty. Although she still thought Theo handsome, Brandon’s rugged good looks appealed to her in a far more visceral way.

A stolen glance revealed a sheen of moisture in Brandon’s eyes, and Larken felt helpless to do anything for him. Once more she forced herself to watch the stage, wondering if she could sit through the matinée without losing her composure.

My brother is alive.

Brandon couldn’t think straight. His first impulse was to leap onto the stage and grab Theo by the shoulders to make sure he wasn’t a ghost. After the sheer joy of discovery passed, however, other less tender feelings began to emerge. His brother was alive but had not contacted him since they’d parted. Their parents had died and he’d not attended their funerals. Did he feel more like embracing Theo or knocking him flat? With a mighty effort, he forced his feelings of resentment and anger aside and decided to concentrate just for a little while on the fact his brother was still breathing. Whatever other issues were unresolved, he would have the chance to speak with Theo and to finally make peace with the guilt that had plagued him every day since he was told his brother’s body had been found.

He didn’t commit suicide because of me. I’ve just been given a gift.

He stretched out his hand to his wife as he realized his presence at this performance wasn’t a coincidence. She’d known Lord Apollo was Theo, and brought him here to discover that for himself. When he thought about how difficult it had been for her to take the long train ride to town, he was awed by her bravery.
Larken did this for me…and for Myles. She truly is an angel.

A sense of peace seemed to restore his soul. At the same time, he couldn’t wait for the performance to be over so he could speak with Theo. After what seemed like an interminably long hour and a half, the final curtain fell and the theatre lights came up. Brandon glanced at Myles’ shining face.

“Did you see Lord Apollo!” the boy exclaimed. “Except for his hair, he
does
look like you!”

“Indeed, it’s uncanny.” His voice sounded gravelly, even to his own ears.

“If you tip the stage manager, he’ll let you backstage to see him,” Larken murmured. “Myles and I will wait for you in the carriage out front.”

“I think that’s best.” Brandon kissed her. “Thank you.”

He rose and made his way to the stage door in the alley, which was thronged by several working-class gents hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite actresses. When the stage manager stuck his head out to shoo the lads away, Brandon waved a one-pound note under his nose. The gesture caught the man’s attention immediately.

“Hullo, sir. What can I do for you?”

“A word with Lord Apollo, please.”

The manager snatched the money from his hand. “Er…make it quick. He’s not real sociable-like.”

When Brandon entered the building, he was startled to see several of the actresses walking around in various forms of undress. They preened as he passed by.

“Oi…you looking for company?”

“I’m free for dinner, laddie.”

“Hetty, you ain’t free but you
are
cheap!”

“Shut it!”

“Leave the gentleman be, girls,” the manager said. “He ain’t here for any of you dollymops.”

As the girls began to bicker amongst themselves, the manager ushered Brandon past them and toward the corner, where a small curtain formed a private dressing area.

“Someone to see you, Apollo.”

“All right. One moment.”

Theo’s voice sounded muffled. Brandon stepped past the curtain, where his brother was seated in front of a mirror. The blond wig sat on a stand nearby, and Theo’s eyes were closed as he rubbed greasepaint off his skin with a cloth.

“Be right with you,” he said.

“Take your time,” Brandon replied.

Theo’s movements stopped, the cloth lowered, and his eyelids popped open. He stared at Brandon in the mirror for several long seconds.

“It’s bloody good to see you, Bran.”

Chapter Ten

A Fond Adieu

T
HEO
S
TOOD
A
ND
T
URNED
to face him. The air was thick with emotion. Not trusting himself to speak, Brandon embraced him. When the men stepped back, their eyes were moist.