and one little nudge was all it might take to send them tumbling into the abyss of ruined reputation and disgrace.
‘Stop daydreaming, Rosie,’ Cora said urgently. ‘We’re on.’
They pirouetted onto the stage, came to a halt with their hands clasped demurely in front of them, and launched into ‘The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze’, followed swiftly by their dance routine, with ‘Come into the Garden, Maud’ as an encore. They swept off into the wings, returning gracefully to loud applause, but Fancello was waiting for them this time. He had his arm around little Clementia, who was scowling ominously.
‘Don’t try to upstage my little girl,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘Remember who pays your wages.’ He gave his daughter a hug. ‘You are on next, cara mia.’
Clementia curled her lip as she glared at Rose. ‘I’m the star,’ she muttered. ‘You’re just the chorus.’ She stomped off, leaving Rose wondering what could have upset Fancello’s pampered child prodigy.
‘Go out into the audience and do your bit, girls,’ Fancello said, jerking his head in the direction of the saloon. ‘I don’t pay you to laze around back stage.’
‘Yes, signor,’ Cora said meekly as she made her way down the steps. She paused. ‘I’ve seen him, Rosie. He’s all alone and he waved to me.’
‘Be careful.’ Rose followed her more slowly as Cora sashayed between the closely packed tables, acknowledging compliments with a sunny smile. Rose looked for the colonel but there was no sign of him and she was suddenly at a loss. A sea of expectant faces greeted her and she felt a moment of near panic. Physical contact with the patrons had never previously been part of the bargain and she almost envied Cora, who Rose guessed by the delighted look on her pretty face was being showered with compliments. Gerard Barclay was undeniably handsome and urbane, and, although Rose was suspicious of his motives, he seemed to be behaving like a perfect gentleman. She turned with a start as someone tugged at her skirt and found herself looking down at a person who was leering at her in a drunken manner, which was quite unnerving.
She managed a tight little smile. ‘Excuse me, sir. Would you be kind enough to unhand me?’
His answer was a loud guffaw as he pulled her onto his lap. ‘Now, now, darling. That’s no way to treat a paying customer.’ He slid his hands around her waist, holding her in a surprisingly strong grip. ‘You’re here to entertain me, so what about a kiss?’ His breath reeked of cigar smoke and brandy, and she noted in disgust that his white evening shirt was stained with wine and what looked suspiciously like gravy.
‘This is no way to behave,’ she said, forcing herself to remain calm.
‘Don’t be a spoilsport, young lady. Give him a kiss.’ One of his companions at the table leaned over and poked her in the ribs. ‘I know Carter of old. He won’t give up until you do.’
Rose was close to panicking. Clementia was warbling like a skylark, with Alphonso hammering out the tune, and all around her the cacophony of sound grew louder, filling her head with noise, while her attempts to get free from Carter’s clutching hands only seemed to excite him more. The tinkle of glassware and popping of champagne corks together with raised male voices and raucous laughter echoed in her head until she thought she could stand it no longer. She felt sick and suddenly everything went dark and she was falling …
‘Are you all right?’ A voice from far away brought Rose back to consciousness, and she opened her eyes, focusing with difficulty on the stranger’s face.
‘You fainted,’ he said calmly, ‘but you’re all right now.’ He held a glass of water to her lips. ‘Take small sips. You’ll soon feel better.’
‘I never swoon,’ she said shakily. ‘It must have been the heat.’
‘It was just a bit of fun.’ Carter shifted uncomfortably on his chair. ‘If the girl can’t take a joke she shouldn’t be working in an establishment like this. I’ll call Fancello over and tell him so.’ He raised his hand but the stranger caught him by the wrist and forced his arm to his side.
‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. I saw what occurred, and if I make a complaint you will find yourself barred from this saloon.’
Rose glanced over her shoulder, but Cora had eyes only for Gerard and he had the appearance of a man who was spellbound by a pretty face and winning ways. The other patrons were intent on their own pleasure and none of them was paying any attention to the drama being enacted at Carter’s table. His friends were trying to placate him, but Carter himself was too drunk to see sense. He staggered to his feet. ‘I should call you out, sir. You can’t talk to me in that insolent tone. Who are you, anyway?’
The stranger had been kneeling at Rose’s side, but when he stood up he was a good head taller than Carter, and although not heavily built he had the look of a man who knew how to handle himself. His winged eyebrows drew together in an ominous frown. ‘My name is Bennett Sharpe, barrister-at-law.’
Carter’s florid features paled visibly and he puffed out his cheeks. ‘What do I care what profession you follow, sir? You insulted me.’
‘You took advantage of this young lady.’ Bennett’s deep voice held a note of authority that did not seem to have been lost on the people seated around them, and they shifted uncomfortably in their seats, exchanging wary glances.
Rose clutched his arm. ‘It’s all right, sir. I’m truly grateful for your intervention, but I’m perfectly fine now. It must have been the heat. I beg you not to trouble yourself any further.’
Bennett silenced her with a single glance. ‘I know what I saw, and I dislike bullies.’ He turned to Carter. ‘You are in the wrong, sir. An apology to this young lady is required and then we’ll consider the matter closed.’
‘For God’s sake, say you’re sorry, old man.’ Carter’s vociferous friend slapped him on the back.
Out of the corner of her eye Rose had seen Fancello making his way towards them, and she held her breath. If Carter made a complaint against her it would not bode well. She tugged at Bennett’s sleeve. ‘Please say no more.’
He followed her gaze. ‘Is that the proprietor of this establishment?’
‘Yes, it is,’ Carter said angrily. ‘And I intend to complain about your behaviour, Mister Lawyer. Let’s see whose side Fancello takes. I am a regular and valued patron.’
Rose was about to release her hold on his arm, but Bennett forestalled her by laying his hand on hers. A smile transformed his stern features as he greeted Fancello. ‘A bottle of your best champagne, please, mine host. This pretty lady has agreed to share it with me.’
Fancello’s frown was wiped away in an instant. ‘Of course, sir. At once.’ He signalled to one of the waiters.
‘I say,’ Carter protested as Fancello chose to ignore him. ‘Deuced cheek.’
Bennett led Rose to a table on the far side of the room. ‘You will be more comfortable here,’ he said, pulling out a chair. ‘Take a seat, Miss Perkins.’
Rose
