“As a partner,” he went on doggedly, “you would be expected to contribute capital anytime a show fails.”
“Which is why Henry left me cash along with my interest in the theater,” she reminded him. “And I have cash of my own.”
“A few flops, and your money will be gone.”
“Since the Imperial has made money every year you’ve been managing it, I’m not particularly worried.”
“You seem well informed about our financial condition.”
“I am,” she countered at once. “Would you expect any less of a partner?”
“Despite your faith in my abilities, I have backed plays that lose money. You,” he added with a pointed glance, “ought to know that better than anyone.”
This reminder ofA Doll’s House, of how badly she’d failed in her first attempt at acting and how much money he’d lost as a result of her failure, made her cheeks flush with heat, but she refused to be intimidated by that. “Yes, Denys,” she agreed with as much dignity as she could muster. “I do know.”
“Theater is a capricious business. What I’m offering you is a sure thing. Combined with what Henry left you, it would put an enormous fortune at your disposal, enabling you to live in luxury, with no risk to your future. Or you could marry. You would certainly have a sizable dowry to offer.”
His assumption that snaring a good marriage prospect and living a life of luxury were what she cared about flicked her on the raw. “If security and luxury and marriage were the only things that mattered to me, I’d have married you.”
He stiffened, telling her she’d just stepped onto thin ice, but when he spoke, his voice was politely stiff. “Quite so.”
“Hell,” she said, regretting her impetuous retort. “I didn’t mean—”
“It doesn’t matter,” he cut her off. “What if we make it twenty-five thousand? Thirty,” he added, when she continued to shake her head.
The ease with which he raised the amount of his offer told her he was prepared to go even higher, but no matter the amount, it remained irrelevant. “Stop, Denys. Please stop. This isn’t about money or what money can buy. It’s about my dream.”
He stared at her, horror dawning in his face. “Oh, God,” he groaned, raking a hand through his hair. “I remember the two of us having this exact same conversation about six years ago.”
“Yes, andA Doll’s Housedid not change my mind. Despite that failure, I still want to become a respected dramatic actress.”
“I don’t know whether to admire your tenacity or question your sanity.”
“Henry’s legacy gives me a chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do.”
“I fail to see what your aspirations to act have to do with the Imperial or with me.” He folded his arms, looking grimmer than ever. “Perhaps you’d better explain that part.”
The hallway of the Savoy was not where she’d have chosen to discuss it. On the other hand, he was standing still and listening to her. She might not get a better chance than this.
“Henry believed in me. He never doubted that I could act.”
“Good on him. But as far as I know, he never financed an actual play for you, did he?”
“He would have done. Eventually,” she added, feeling defensive all of a sudden. “But he never got the chance.”
“Or he never intended to do so because he had already learned from my mistake, and he was just jollying you along all this time so he could make money off you. Either way,” he went on before she could take issue with his assessment of Henry’s motives, “the fact remains that he didn’t renew your acting career himself. He chose to foist you on me.”
“I’m not being foisted on you! I’m yourpartner. I’m prepared to assume all the responsibilities that come with that position.”
“Ah, but owning a theater wasn’t your dream. Your dream was about acting.”
“The two things are not mutually exclusive, as you well know. Many actors own or manage their own theaters. Sir Henry Irving, for example, manages and acts at the Lyceum. He directs, too.”
“Sir Henry Irving has the bona fides to back up that sort of hubris.”
“I have bona fides, too, Denys. I have accomplishments. My one-woman show has been a hit for five seasons running.”
“Which is still musical revue.A Doll’s Houseaside, you have no real acting experience.”
