Page 9 of A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter

Theo nodded. “The Turtle Doves are disbanding,” she said, though in truth she and her sister had not been billed under that name for several years now. “Coincidently, after this show finishes. Hetty’s going to get married and giving up treading the boards.”

Lil gave a sour smile. “She ain’t got him up the aisle yet, love.”

“Well, that’s none of my affair,” Theo answered briskly. “Hetty’s hell-bent on giving up this life and I need to look to my own future. I’ve been thinking for a while now about how I want my act to evolve—”

Lil snorted, and Theo halted, sending her a level look. “Not you too, Lil,” she said gravely after a moment’s heavy pause. “I can take scorn from Hetty and even Felix, but I thought you believed in me.”

The older actress reddened. “You know I’ve always said you was a clever mimic, darlin’, and you know I ain’t your sister’s biggest fan, but the plain fact of the matter is that The Turtle Doves without your sister is a dud.”

“It is,” Theo agreed. “But I will be playing to my own strengths in the future, not Hetty’s. I will certainly be using my talent for mimicry, but I’ve been on the stage for a decade now Lil, doing breeches roles, and I want to build on that foundation.”

“Your singing voice is pretty,” Lil began patiently, “but it’s sopranos they want front of stage, not altos.”

“You would be my soprano,” Theo pointed out. “Your voice is every bit as good as my sister’s. Better in fact.”

Lil gave a short laugh. “My voice may be, but my face ain’t, not no more. It’s been a few years now since I could lay claim to being a stunner.”

“Well, I never could,” Theo said roundly. “I was never more than passable, but that’s not what the act will revolve around in any case.”

Lil frowned. “Well, I’m in the dark,” she admitted. “What will your act revolve around?”

“I’m talking about my male impersonation,” Theo said levelly.

Lil made a choking noise. “Theo darlin’,” she appealed. “Male impersonator?” She said the words with heavy skepticism.

Theo did her best not to bristle. It was hard, but she managed it. “That is how I consider myself,” she answered with quiet dignity. “I have played the boy on stage since I was thirteen years old.”

“Yes, but …” Lil hesitated. “Theo love, you was playing a pretty boy. It was pantomime stuff, Babes in the Wood, that sort of thing. Lord, you never convinced anyone you was anything but a girl in breeches!”

“I am aware of that,” Theo replied calmly. “But I was never given free rein. My uncle would not have thought it seemly during his lifetime. Felix will no doubt take the same view, but I find I no longer care what my brother thinks.” She lifted her chin. “You see Felix has consigned me to the scrapheap as well.”

Lil looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

“He’s told me after The Faithful Shepherdess finishes its run, my new place is keeping house for him,” Theo said bitterly.

Lil shook her head. “Oh Theo,” she murmured sadly.

“And I’m not having it, Lil. I’m just not having it.”

Her friend still looked doubtful. “But what can you do, my dear?”

“Do?” Theo echoed grimly. “Plenty, I assure you! But for now, I suggest we concentrate on developing the act. This is the direction which I am determined to take, Lil,” she affirmed. “Whether you join me or not.”

Lil regarded her in silence for a moment before shrugging. “So go on, tell me about it, then,” she said resignedly. “And where do I fit in?”

“Well, Pure Percy,” she said gesturing to herself, “has all grown up. He’s now a young man about town.” She sketched Lil an elegant bow. “I give you, Piccadilly Percy.” Lil blinked at her. “Imagine me in full evening dress,” Theo urged, “top hat, tailcoat, cravat, the works.”

The fact that she did not possess this outfit yet, did not deter her one bit. It would be hers, she vowed. One day.

“Go on,” Lil urged her. “What about me? What am I wearing?”

“You? You’re wearing the fanciest most ostentatious plumage you can imagine. I’m thinking purple silk and lots of lace, roses in your hair, and a daringly low décolletage.”

Lil’s nodded. “So I’m not playing your sister’s role then? That’s a relief as I don’t think I can pull off the artless ingénue at fif—forty-five,” she corrected herself hastily.

“Percy is now a foppish young cad about town,” Theo confided. “He has no interest in innocent young maidens. Quite the contrary. He is looking for—a-a more mature lady for companionship. He’s—er—how can I put this? Ripe for the plucking.”

Lil went off in a coughing fit. “That’s where you come in,” Theo said brightly. “You are the experienced woman about town. Percy pursues you, makes up to you. You protest, cavil, and then finally, you pounce!”