Free Putting on Airs by Ivy Brooke

Imogene then heard her name being called.  Turning around, there stood Mr. Phillip, beaming.  He took her hand, and she tried not to blush.
          "That was fantastic!" he said.  "I cannot remember a time I have more enjoyed.  We must do it again sometime."
          "Then, sir, I challenge you to choose the next play and cast."
          "An intriguing proposition; I shall take it up."  He then noticed the Archers standing with them.  "And you both must be cast in it."
     
          "I think I would be too afraid, Mr. Cole," Clarice said, feeling nervous by just thinking about getting up in front of all those people.
          "We will think about it," Mr. Archer answered.
          "I would also desire to get my brother in the cast," Mr. Phillip thought aloud, "but I daresay I shall need some help in persuading him.  Come assist me in the task, Imogene."
          Trying to avoid facing Mr. Cole, she said, "If he will not be persuaded by his brother, I fail to see how he may be persuaded by me."
          "You underestimate your own charms, Ms. Cartwright.  If a professional actress and accomplished musician such as yourself tells him to be in a play, he must not refuse."
          Caught up in his playfulness, she relented; "Such flattery is unnecessary, sir (though not unwelcome).  To send you to your brother alone with such a quest would be ungenerous."
          "Excuse me while I borrow Ms. Cartwright from you," Mr. Phillip told the Archers as he led Imogene across the room to where his elder brother sat.  He was staring into space, his dark eyes very severe.
          "Henry," Mr. Phillip began, "Ms. Cartwright and I have the idea of putting on another play, and we insist you join in the cast this time."  Mr. Cole only looked up at them, silent.  "It is your turn, Ms. Cartwright."
          Imogene was hesitant to begin.  Mr. Cole seemed to genuinely be paying attention, which she did not expect, and it made her nervous.  "Your brother has told me," she began, "that you are an excellent reader, sir.  We would all greatly benefit from your talent, I am sure."
     
          He remained silent, and his eyes suddenly flit to the front door.  An older gentleman had just entered, one Imogene had never seen before.  Mr. Cole rose immediately, dismissively told Imogene that he would consider the idea, then quickly made his way out the back door.
          Mr. Phillip seemed amused by his brother's abrupt departure.  "I did not expect we would frighten him away with our scheme.  Excuse me while I retrieve him before he leaves altogether."
          "Perhaps you should," Imogene bid, more alarmed than her good-humored friend.
          Mr. Phillip went off to find his brother, and Imogene's eyes remained on the gentleman who had just entered.  He had a wolfish appearance with short silver hair.  His expression would almost snarl, yet when he smiled, he was nearly the most handsome man in the room, then only to darken again in an eye's blink.  He was scanning the room, but halted when he caught Imogene staring at him.  She immediately turned away to find her friend Jane who had been helping herself to some punch.
          "By the door," Imogene whispered without ado, "that gentleman who just entered: Do you know who he is?"
          Looking over, Jane nodded.  "That is Mr. Ashcroft."
          "And how do you know him?"
          "My father and he were very good friends; they grew up in the same neighborhood together."
          "He does not seem to be a...well-tempered sort of gentleman."
          "I should think not.  In recent years—I forget how long ago exactly—he and father had a falling out.  I cannot remember the particulars, but it had something to do with father choosing to move into the country.  I believe Mr. Ashcroft thought it beneath him to associate with country society."
     
          Imogene watched as he continued to search the