Page 70 of Sinister Games

Turning to him in shock, I whispered despondently, “Lord Radfoot, you mustn’t say such things about my husband.”

Seizing me by the shoulders, Mike said emphatically, “I must. I will no longer keep silent. I love you, Elizabeth.”

Stay in character!Don’t think about how Richard would feel if he knew another man was touching you. It’s just acting. He’s just an actor. We’re just acting.

Never mind Richard possibly beat the crap out of your teacher for placing a hand on your hip let alone seeing a man grabbing you by the shoulders and pulling you close as he declares his love. It’s just a play. Richard would understand. It’s not real. It’s just a play.

Who was I trying to convince?

“No, Lord Radfoot. I must not!” Breaking away, I ran off stage left.

“Great. Lizzie, come back on stage,” called out the director.

Stepping around the curtain, I took Mike’s offered hand. Thinking he meant to just shake mine, I was a little surprised when he continued to hold my hand as the director talked. Not wanting to make a scene, I just kept my hand in his. All the while getting more and more alarmed thinking about what Richard would do if he knew I was here, if he saw what Mike was doing.

Calling out to the other actors in the audience seats, Jack declared, “If you can, stay around for a little while longer. We may want to see a couple pairings with some new readings. If you can’t stay, give your name to Sally. She’s the one standing over there with the keys.”

A thin woman with a cigarette dangling from her lips raised up a large ring of keys and rattled them.

“Thank you, Sally,” the director deadpanned before he turned and headed up the aisle to one of the upper level boxes.

I took that opportunity to pull my hand free and run off the stage to join Jane in the audience seats.

“You were great!”

“Thanks. You did amazing too,” I responded.

“Guess what I heard?” asked Jane as she leaned in conspiratorially close.

Before I could respond, she continued, her voice an excited whisper. “There is a big-time producer in the audience!”

Leaning up, I looked over the seats. “Where?”

Jane motioned with her head. “Up there in the box. The director just went up to talk to him.”

Straining, I tried to see inside the box but it was all shadows. “Who is it?”

Jane shrugged. “Rumor is he just walked into the theater in the middle of auditions and announced if he liked what he saw he would finance the whole play!”

“Seriously? That’s so cool. I wonder how often that happens?”

Jane snorted. “Try never. I hope he was here in time to see my audition.”

We both leaned over in our seats and tried to catch a glimpse of the mysterious rich benefactor but could only see the director’s shoulders.

At least thoughts of the mysterious producer were distracting me from thoughts of Richard.

* * *

Richard

“So,we are agreed. I’ll fully fund the production if you delay it by two months,” I stated as I watched Elizabeth with her friend down below.

The director nodded as he hugged his clipboard close to his chest. “Of course. Of course. Can I ask why the delay?”

“No. I have my reasons.”

“Of course! Of course! Really, Your Grace. This is truly amazing. I had no idea you were a patron of the theater arts.”

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