Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady. Diane Gaston

in the hallway, they made for the theatre door and Jack for the stage. He did not know the location of the Green Room, where the actors and actresses gathered after the performance and where wealthy gentlemen went to arrange assignations with the loveliest of the women, but he suspected that would be where he would find Ariana.

      Backstage he followed a group of wealthy-looking gentlemen, some carrying bouquets of flowers. Jack walked behind them, but suddenly stopped.

      Tranville stood to the side of the door.

      He still retained his military bearing, even though he was attired in the black coat, white breeches and stockings that made up the formal dress of a gentleman. His figure remained trim and only his shock of white hair gave a clue that he was a man who had passed his fiftieth year.

      Tranville, unfortunately, also saw Jack.

      ‘Jack!’ He stepped in the younger man’s path. ‘What are you doing here? Why are you not in Bath?’

      Jack bristled. He’d never been able to disguise his dislike of this man, although when a child he doubted Tranville had even noticed. A few adolescent altercations with Tranville’s son Edwin had made the animosity clear and mutual. Jack never initiated the fisticuffs, but he always won and that rankled Tranville greatly.

      Jack straightened and looked down on the older man. ‘I have business with the theatre manager.’

      ‘You?’ Tranville eyed him with surprise. ‘What business could you have with Mr Arnold?’

      Jack felt an inward triumph. He now knew the manager’s name. ‘Business to be discussed with Mr Arnold.’

      Tranville’s jaw flexed. ‘If it is theatre business, you may tell me. I am a member of the committee.’

      ‘The committee.’ This meant nothing to Jack.

      Tranville averted his gaze for a moment. ‘The subcommittee for developing the theatre as a centre for national culture.’

      Jack remembered it. Control of the theatre had been wrested from the debt-ridden owner, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and given to a manager and a board of directors. A subcommittee of notables had been appointed, but Jack doubted they had access to the purse strings. Nevertheless, if Jack had encountered any other member of the subcommittee he would have spoken of how his art work could further the committee’s goals. This was Tranville blocking his way, however.

      Jack maintained a steady gaze. ‘My business will not concern you.’

      Jack would wager Tranville’s theatrical interests were in fostering liaisons with the actresses, not fostering national culture. Actresses and dancers encouraged the attentions of wealthy lords who wanted to indulge them with jewels and gowns and carriages.

      He frowned. He had nothing to offer Ariana.

      He told himself he merely wanted to renew their brief acquaintance. He wanted her to know he had been the artist whose work she so admired.

      Two gentleman approached the door and Tranville was forced to step aside for them. Jack took the opportunity to follow them.

      Tranville grabbed his arm. ‘You cannot go in there, Jack. You do not have entrée.’

      Jack shot him a menacing look. ‘Entrée?

      Tranville did not flinch. ‘Not everyone is welcome. Do not force me to have you removed from the building.’ He glanced towards two muscular stagehands standing nearby.

      Had Tranville forgotten Jack had also been on the Peninsula? His was the regiment that captured the Imperial Eagle at Salamanca. Jack would like to see how many men it would take to eject him from the theatre.

      More gentlemen approached, however, and Jack chose not to make a scene. It would not serve his purpose.

      Tranville smiled, thinking his intimidation had succeeded. He dropped his hand. ‘Now, if you wish me to speak to Mr Arnold on your behalf, you will have to tell me what it is about.’

      The other gentlemen were in earshot, the only reason Jack spoke. He made certain his voice carried. ‘A proposition for Mr Arnold. To paint his actors and actresses.’

      ‘Paint them?’ Tranville’s brow furrowed.

      ‘I am an artist, sir.’ Jack wanted the other gentlemen, now looking mildly interested, to hear him.

      With luck one of them might mention to Mr Arnold that an artist wanted to see him. That might help gain him an interview with the manager when Jack called the next afternoon.

      Convincing Mr Arnold to hire him to publicise his plays would serve both Jack’s ambitions: to earn new commissions and to see Ariana again.

      Tranville made an impatient gesture. ‘Well, give me your card and I will speak to Arnold.’

      Jack took a card from his pocket. ‘Tell him Jack Vernon has a business proposition for him. Tell him my work was included in last summer’s exhibition.’

      The most curious of the onlookers appeared satisfied. They had heard Jack’s name, at any rate.

      Jack nodded to the men. He was resigned. These men would see Ariana tonight. He would not.

      And all because of Tranville’s interference. Jack’s hand curled into a fist.

      Tranville snatched the card from Jack’s other hand and stuck it in his pocket without even looking at it. Jack turned to leave.

      Tranville stopped him. ‘Tell me, Jack—how is your mother?’

      The question surprised him. ‘In good health.’ He added, ‘She was at the performance. Did you not see her?’

      Jack meant it as a jibe, to show his mother doing well without Tranville’s company, but instead the man cocked his head in interest. ‘Was she?’ He spoke more to himself than to Jack. ‘So Mary is in London.’

      Another man walked past and opened the door to the Green Room. Tranville emerged from his brief reverie. ‘I must go.’

      Jack was more than ready to be rid of him.

      Still, he would have tolerated even Tranville’s presence if it meant seeing Ariana again. Instead Tranville had prevented him.

      Another reason to despise the man.

      The next day, Jack, wearing only an old shirt and trousers, both spattered with paint, put the finishing touches on Mr Slayton’s portrait. There was a rap on the door.

      Before he could put down his palette and don a coat, the door opened and Tranville strode in.

      ‘Jack—’ Like many military men, Tranville apparently had not lost the military habit of rising early.

      ‘What is the meaning of this?’ Jack stepped out from behind his easel. ‘You cannot just walk in here without a by your leave.’

      Tranville, looking perfectly at ease, removed his hat and gloves and placed them on a table by the door. ‘You work in this place?’ He glanced around with disdain.

      White sheets covered the furniture, wooden boxes and rolls of canvas littered the floor, but Jack had no intention of apologising to Tranville for the clutter. He tidied the place when he had sittings scheduled.

      ‘Tell me why you intrude or leave.’ Jack crossed his arms over his chest.

      Tranville wandered over to the easel and examined Mr Slayton’s portrait. He shrugged and turned back to Jack. ‘You do seem to have some skill. More than one fellow told me so after I left you last night.’

      He’d been discussed? Remembered from the exhibition, perhaps? Jack hid his pleasure. He hoped these admirers mentioned him to Mr Arnold as well. ‘You have not told me why you are here.’

      Tranville’s lips curled. ‘I want to hire you for a commission.’

      Jack did not miss a beat. ‘No.’

      Tranville’s