Read Online One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online Page B

most foolish thing. We always long for what we can’t have.” Her casual words struck her ears with unexpected force. Like a horse yearning for the grass on the other side of the fence, she yearned for the outside world, the one that had nothing to do with the theater or the Fitzgerald troupe. That was probably why she was so intrigued by Stephen, who was from that outside world, as well as kind and attractive.
    Very attractive, actually. He’d combed his hair into a more informal style, and it suited him. But he was not for her. He was a gentleman. She was a strolling player, and not even a very good one. At least she could act well enough to say lightly, “The next time I regret my lost family, I shall remind myself that I am also free of dreadful aunts and drunken cousins.”
    â€œIf you feel the lack, I have droves of appalling kinsmen I can lend you,” he said, his expression sober, but his eyes glimmering with amusement. “Little old ladies who put brandy in their tea, then curse like sailors. Distant connections who have lost everything gambling and come around looking for handouts. Pious hypocrites who preach virtue and secretly practice vice—I have them all.”
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of depriving you of such delights,” she said generously. “I do hope you have some nicer relatives as well.”
    â€œA few. My older sister is rather rigid, but she has a good heart and her children are delightful.” Stephen pulled an irregular chunk of sugar from his pocket and offered it to Jupiter. The horse delicately lapped up the treat. “And I have a younger brother who was a soldier. We had our differences growing up, but we’ve become much closer since he left the army. I guess we both learned a little wisdom over the years.”
    Rosalind noted that he made no mention of a spouse, though that didn’t mean he wasn’t married. Perhaps he’d had a fight with his wife, which was why he was rambling around England alone. Reminding herself that his marital status was no concern of hers, she said, “Since Jupiter is content, perhaps we should see how the troupe is faring.”
    Stephen agreed and offered his arm. Together they strolled out of the stables and into the Redminster high street. Rosalind enjoyed the solid feel of his forearm under her palm, and the envious glances other women gave her after looking over her handsome escort. In fact, she was enjoying this walk entirely too much. Reminding herself they were together by chance alone, she resumed their earlier conversation. “Are you and your brother much alike?”
    â€œOnly superficially—Michael is far more intense than I,” Stephen said reflectively. “Even now that he has married and settled down, he has what I’ve heard called a thousand-yard stare-a constant awareness of his surroundings that comes from having lived with danger. I suppose that’s how he survived so many years of war.”
    â€œA thousand-yard stare,” Rosalind repeated. “I’ll remember that. The concept could be useful to an actor who wanted to portray that kind of character.”
    â€œIs that what it is like to be an actress—constantly observing the world to learn how to best perform your roles?”
    She laughed. “I’m no actress. I fill in where needed—even breeches parts if necessary, because I’m tall for a woman. But Jess is the one with the talent. My real value is as stage manager and prompter. I keep track of costumes and scenery and scripts, and anything else that helps the company run smoothly.”
    â€œDoes the troupe travel continuously?”
    She shook her head. “Not quite. In the coldest months of winter, we take lodgings in Birmingham and perform at various places in the area. Come spring, we’re off again.” She nodded at the inn ahead. “If we’re lucky, in a place like the Royal George. If not, in a