Free Love in Disguise by Nina Coombs Pykare Page B

the advance was warranted. And until the examination is over the theater will be shut down.”
    Fancy sighed. “I hope it doesn’t take too long. I need to be acting.”
    Cooke eyed her solemnly. “You’re looking a little peaked. Fancy, m’girl. I don’t think this place agrees with you.”
    Fancy laughed. “I suppose I could sell it and move elsewhere, but that would be running.”
    “Running? I don’t understand.” Fancy managed a little smile.
    “My neighbors are not exactly friendly. The Earl of Morgane, especially, has suggested that I will not be happy in this neighborhood.”
    Cooke whistled. “Morgane! Fancy, m’girl, you’d better watch your step with that one. I thought he was being sort of high-handed with you the other night. So you knew him before?”
    Fancy nodded. She did not think it wise to give Uncle George a complete picture of her meetings with the conceited Earl. “He is a most exasperating man,” she said, her green eyes flashing. “But I do not intend to let him run my life.”
    Cooke smiled wearily. “The Earl is used to running things, m’girl. You’d better get that through your noggin immediately. If you mix with him -” Cooke shook his head. “The Earl’s never been known to knuckle under. Why, he boxed Gentleman Jackson when the Earl was just a stripling. He wouldn’t give up, kept struggling to his feet. The man’s no quitter. Fancy, m’girl. Best think carefully before you come to cuffs with him. He can be an ugly customer.”
    Fancy tossed her copper curls defiantly. “I don’t care about that the least bit,” she averred. “No man is going to chase me out of this house. I can guarantee it.”
    Cooke laughed. “Well, well. child, don’t get that temper up at me. This is old Uncle George, remember?”
    Fancy laughed. “I have made great gains in controlling my temper lately,” she said. “Goodness knows I have had enough practice at it. But come, let me give you a tour of the house.”
    * * * *
    Sometime later Cooke descended the staircase, shaking his head. “You’ve no business in a place like this. It must cost a fortune to run.”
    “It does, Uncle George, but that doesn’t signify. The Marquis left me plenty. He must have been a kind old gentleman.”
    At this Cooke burst into a great fit of laughter. “Don’t be such an innocent, Fancy, m’girl. Cavendish was very active in the petticoat line. Just as much after the ladies in muslin as your friend the Earl.”
    Fancy bridled.“He is not my friend. And I never even saw the Marquis. Besides, he was an old man.”
    Cooke chuckled dryly. “For a girl your age you’ve a lot to learn. A man’s years have nothing to do with his desire for a pretty young dasher.”
    Fancy flushed. “Uncle George, you are embarrassing me.”
    “Best to know the way the world is,” observed Cooke wisely. “That way it can’t take you by surprise. Speaking of which, I’ve some friends awaiting my arrival. I had a hankering to see your great house so I told Kemble I’d bring you the word. You’re to keep learning your lines, he says. For he expects to reopen as soon as the committee makes its report.”
    Fancy nodded. She very much wanted to keep Uncle George from the low tavern where she suspected his friends were awaiting him with bumpers of blue ruin, but she knew that no words of hers would deter him. And so she simply said, “Take care of yourself now, Uncle George. And come back to see me.”
    Cooke’s smile was warm, but he shook his head. “This is too much house for the likes of me. I can’t be comfortable in it. But I’ll see you when we reopen.”
    As Fancy watched him make his way to the street, she sighed heavily. Uncle George was really a nice person - except when he was in his altitudes - and he was there much too often.
    She turned away with another sigh. Now she would have to stay cooped up in this big old house for how many days longer. It just wasn’t fair.
    Making her way toward the