Love in Disguise Read Online Free PDF

course, he was not really her uncle. But he had been a friend of Mama’s in the old days and he had kept up his interest in Fancy and her career.
    As Ethel helped her weary mistress undress for bed, she too heard about the terrible behavior of the crowd. She clicked her tongue, tucked Fancy into bed like a child, and said, “Don’t you be worrying none. They’ll probably close down for a while. Ain’t no use trying to act for a crowd like that.”
    But two days later Richard III was still scheduled and Fancy insisted that her place was at the theater. This was her chance, she told the worried pair who tried to dissuade her.
    “Mr. Kemble hired me and he expects me to be there,” she said. “I’m not going to ruin my career because some fools want to riot.”
    As usual Fancy got her way, but she was not sorry for the two stout grooms or the comforting presence of Henry. “I’ll be back to fetch you,” he said. “And you just wait in the dressing room till I come for you.”
    “Yes, Henry, I will. Don’t worry yourself now. I’ll be all right.”
    Henry was not too sure of this, but he felt there was little he could do at the moment. And, since he would be there to see her safely home through the mob, he was satisfied.
    Fancy hurried into makeup and costume and went looking for Uncle George. She had not found it surprising that he hadn’t come to the house on St. James’s Square even though she had sent him a letter telling him all about it. For one thing he may well have not had the money to pay for the letter’s delivery.Or he may have read it and then forgotten it. When he was bosky, Uncle George had a very poor memory, as she well knew. Or he may have not wanted to come into the neighborhood of the haut ton.
    But, at any rate, she had let him know of her good fortune and she looked forward to seeing him. She had not even been particularly surprised to find that he ignored rehearsals. An actor of his caliber could well do that. But she hoped that this night, at least, he would not be in his cups.
    Or, if he were, that the boxkeeper, John Brandon, had succeeded in “doctoring” him up. Fancy had heard Mr. Kemble remark, in a tone of gratitude, that, without Brandon, Cooke would have failed to take his place on stage much more often.
    It was difficult enough for a sober man to face that horrible crowd, but for one in his altitudes - Fancy frowned as she made her way toward the men’s dressing rooms.
    A knock on the door brought another actor who replied that Cooke would meet her in the greenroom shortly. So Fancy, her anxiety still unrelieved, made her way to the greenroom and paced restlessly through the empty room. Once she stopped to survey herself in the great gilded mirror, but the face and figure that looked back at her showed no sign of aging. She wrinkled up her nose and announced pertly, “So much for you, milord.”
    A hearty laugh from the doorway made her turn. There stood Cooke in costume for Richard. “Uncle George!” cried Fancy, and raced across the room to throw herself into his open arms.
    In a moment he held her off. “Come, come, a great hulking girl like you has no business in the arms of an old rogue like me.”
    “Uncle George,” protested Fancy. “You are being silly. Did you get my letter?”
    Cooke nodded. “Of course I did. Glad to hear of your good fortune. Wager the neighbors are not, though.”
    Fancy managed a little laugh. “Actually they are not bad. The ladies cut me on the street, but the gentlemen are quite kind.”
    Cooke snorted. “I expect so. A beauty like you.” He frowned at her. “I trust you’ve remained a good girl.”
    “Uncle George!” Fancy flushed. “You know I have no taste for men.”
    Cooke ran a hand through his dark hair. “You’re human, m’girl. Remember that. It’s just that beauty like yours ought to get a good price.”
    Fancy flushed again. “Uncle George, you make me sound like a piece of merchandise.” She was very much