‘I’d never disobey orders.’
‘You threw away a golden opportunity to stay on Paul Skillen’s tail.’
‘That’s water under the bridge, Alfred,’ said Yeomans, dismissively. ‘And while we’re on the subject of water, I’m transferring you to a different area. From now on, you’ll patrol the Thames.’ Ruddock blanched. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d prefer somewhere else.’
‘You just said that you’d never disobey an order.’
‘I know,’ said Ruddock, ‘but the river holds bitter memories for me. As you know, I was pushed into it the other day and I can’t swim.’
‘You lived to tell the tale,’ said Hale, briskly.
‘There’ll be two of you,’ explained Yeomans. ‘We’ve been having a lot of complaints about the rowdiness at an old warehouse where the sweepings of London gather to drink themselves into a stupor. They sometimes have a boxing match there and, when that happens, the place turns into Bedlam.’
‘What am I supposed to do?’ asked Ruddock in alarm.
‘Impose law and order.’
‘What – all on my own?’
‘You’ll have a man with you,’ said Yeomans. ‘I just told you that.’
‘Two of us can’t control a howling mob, sir.’
‘Use your common sense, man.’
‘Yes,’ said Hale, ‘and console yourself with this thought. Patrolling that area will be a lot more interesting than standing outside Paul Skillen’s house and getting shoved into the river!’
Though he fought hard against the impulse, Paul Skillen was drawn back to the theatre once again, as if by an unseen magnet. Shedding the disguise he’d worn among the Irish, he dressed in his finery before going out. He was soon part of a noisy crowd that streamed into the theatre with high expectations. Paul wondered if their hopes were going to be fulfilled or shattered by Hannah Granville’s performance that evening. All around him, he heard extravagant praise of her talents.
‘She’s a genius,’ said one man, ‘a second Sarah Siddons.’
‘Nobody can rival her,’ countered his wife.
‘Miss Granville can,’ interjected someone nearby. ‘I’ve seen her and she is peerless. Mrs Siddons couldn’t hold a candle to her.’
‘I remain to be persuaded,’ said the woman, resolutely.
‘My wife is a lady of discernment,’ explained her husband.
‘Then she is about to discern a true marvel, sir,’ said the other man. Before moving away, he touched the brim of his hat. ‘I bid you both good evening.’
Paul tried to shut out the sound of the continuous eulogies because they only served to remind him of what he’d thrown away. Hannah was indeed unique, as much as a person as an actress. Her individuality was remarkable. He knew things about her that none of those around him could even imagine. They were, for the most part, endearing things that made him smile as he recalled them. Less pleasant aspects of her character and behaviour remained dormant in his mind.
When Paul took his seat in the stalls, the elderly man beside him gave a nudge.
‘Have you seen this play before, sir?’
‘No,’ replied Paul, ‘I have not. This is my first time.’
‘Then you are about to view the eighth Wonder of the World.’
‘I take it that you are no stranger to Venice Preserv’d.’
The man chortled. ‘I am a true veteran,’ he said, giving another nudge. ‘This will be my fifth visit. You’ll soon see why.’
Like Paul, the man was on his own. If he’d seen the play on the first occasion in the company of his wife, he’d made sure that she didn’t return with him. Paul sensed that the woman fondly imagined that he was at his club or dining with friends. Indirectly, Hannah Granville had generated a lot of deception in some families as husbands rediscovered the lure of bachelorhood.
When the play began, the hubbub slowly died away. Belvidera began to cast her spell. Hannah’s performance was markedly better. Paul was ready to concede that. While it fell short of the heights he’d seen her attain, it was more than enough to dazzle and move the audience. Resounding applause greeted the end of the play and she seemed able to enjoy it this time. Having put more effort into her performance, she reclined on the ovation, as if it were a collection of soft feather pillows. When it was all over, Paul collected another nudge from his neighbour.
‘What did you think?’ asked the man.
‘It was a memorable performance,’ said Paul.