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She would not think about that look in his eye last night when she asked him if he had any more secrets from her. She would not. She would not. She would not.

The bedroom door shut gently behind him, and Theo’s eyes sprang open. It was stupid how shaken she felt by the events of the past two days. Like a rug had been pulled out from under her feet. What will it take for you to forgive me? he had asked. And she had answered impulsively, thinking only of her sister’s plight.

When she had fallen asleep, Theo had felt soothed and reassured by Clem’s presence and his passion for her which still burned unmistakably bright. In the cold light of day, however, she no longer felt so secure.

Lil had told her not to take Clem lightly. Even Hetty had warned her to have a care around him. And like a fool she had plunged recklessly forward and fallen headlong in love with him anyway. Theo covered her face with her hands.

That was why it had hurt so badly, she realized dully. For Clem was not in love with her. Oh, he doubtless liked her well enough, and he had not liked falling out with her or sleeping in his office. That much was true. But it was not love.

She let her hands drop. She had no one to blame for this, save herself. Clem had never claimed that any finer feelings were involved in their marriage. He had married her to obtain a majority share in The Parthenon, and he had done so without a moment’s unkindness to his new wife. Indeed, he had been very considerate toward her at all times. So much so, that she had forgotten altogether that their marriage was a business transaction only.

She had mistakenly felt that Clem was a foundation rock in her new life. Then she had discovered he saw her more as a steppingstone.

The burden of responsibility for that was all on her shoulders. Doubtless, Clem had been no more charming to her than he was to anyone else. Moreover, he had upheld his side of the bargain. He had launched her career at The Eagle and now he had even agreed to Hetty working there in some capacity.

She dragged herself from the bed and took her sweet time over washing and dressing. She had no appetite for breakfast but supposed she had better make her way down there anyway. To her surprise, she found both Henrietta and Harold at the breakfast table.

“Good morning,” they greeted her with enthusiasm, and Theo struggled to match their tone, though she hoped she made a good attempt. “Why, this is quite like old times,” she said with determined cheerfulness as she reached for the jam.

“I was just telling Hetty of how they queue up on weekends all the way down the street to get admission for the show,” Harold said.

“Did you know that Felix finally caved and came to see us two nights ago?” Theo asked.

The other two nodded. “He was strangely quiet when he spoke of it to me,” Hetty said with a spark of her old dryness. “Most unlike Felix.” She turned to Harold. “Did he tell you that you were casting your pearls before swine?”

Harold choked on his piece of toast. “No, no,” he hastened to assure them. “He would not, he knows how much I … How much I enjoy it,” he said flushing to his roots.

“If you ask me,” Theo said, rallying her spirits, “I think our star turn Miss Florrie Foss made rather a conquest of him. He was quite dazzled by her ebullience and badinage.”

Henrietta’s eyebrows rose. “Is Miss Foss really so awe-inspiring?” she asked curiously, turning to Harold.

“She is quite the most terrifying woman I have ever met,” he confessed, making both sisters laugh.

“I cannot wait to see her perform,” Henrietta confessed, “but alas, it turns out Vincent does not care for music hall so I must pester someone else to take me.”

Theo almost dropped her butter knife. How could she have forgotten that Vincent did not care for music hall? This cast a spoke in the wheel, she thought, for he would not be happy for Henrietta to pursue such a career.

“What is it, sister?” Hetty asked, seeing her consternation. “Why do you look like that?”

“Oh—er—no reason,” Theo said quickly. “I just recalled something I had overlooked.” Bother!

“Well, Hetty,” Harold said, clearing his throat. “Could you not simply accompany myself or Theodora one evening?” he suggested shyly. “You need not attend as a paying guest surely when you have so many connections at The Eagle?”

Henrietta seemed to like this idea, and so it was fixed on that she would come along to the next evening’s performance. Mrs. Cherwell interrupted them at this point about some caller at the door asking for Theodora.

On investigation it turned out to be a seamstress Clem had engaged for her called Miss Clegg. Dora showed her upstairs to the sewing room and let her rifle through the many patterns she had accumulated. She examined the patterns without comment or any ostensible judgement that Theo could see.

“This was the one I got myself into difficulties over,” Theo said passing the pattern to the efficient Miss Clegg. She cast a doubtful look toward the fabrics she knew Clem thought were drab and unappealing. “Did Mr. Dabney make any mention of the fabric you were to use?” she asked.

Miss Clegg nodded. “Oh yes, I have had my instructions,” she said brightly. “Now if I might be permitted to take your measurements?” Miss Clegg turned out to be almost as thorough with her tape measure as Charlie Finch. It was at least an hour later that Theo led her back downstairs and saw her out.

“I will be back at the same time tomorrow,” she promised, brandishing the two patterns she had selected, including the one which had defeated Theo. “I am now going shopping for materials,” Miss Clegg informed her. “My hours will be ten till three as negotiated with Mr. Dabney. I assume your housekeeper can let me in if you are not home? Good day!” Theo made for the kitchen at once to inform Mrs. Cherwell of the new arrangement.

“Fancy!” that lady sniffed. “What next? Your own personal cobbler?” Ignoring this jibe, as Mrs. Cherwell was clearly in a bad mood, Theo climbed the stairs once more. Her sister called out to her as she passed her door, and poking her head around it, she found Hetty employed in trimming a bonnet.

“Come in,” her sister said, motioning with her hand, “and shut the door.” Theo did as she was told and advanced into the room with an enquiring look.

“Would you sit here beside me a moment?” her sister asked, gesturing to an empty seat beside her own. Once Theo had complied, she began, “I did not like to mention it in front of Harold, but I suppose all is well between you and Mr. Dabney?” She hesitated before continuing. “Only Felix took me along to see Mr. Tolley’s office yesterday and … well, not to put too fine a point on it, he seemed to think that he was not the only one who had no prior knowledge of the fact I had sold my shares.”