Maggie couldn’t bring herself to tell Samuel the whole truth, of course. What would he think of her if he knew that she was Reeve McKenna’s woman, playing the part only because the owner of the theater had chosen to favor her with the role? “I don’t know,” she lied. And then, to change the subject and because she was honestly curious, Maggie asked, “How did you come to be in Australia, Mr. Fairmont?”

“Please,” he reprimanded her gently, “my name is Samuel. And I’m in Australia because I wanted an adventure. After I’ve earned my passage I’m going on to America. Always wanted to see the place.”

For a moment Maggie felt a terrible, keening homesickness. She put it down immediately, for it was silly to be lonely for a place where one had no family and no friends. “That will be exciting,” she said.

“Do you ever miss your own country?” Samuel asked softly, holding a glass of shimmering purple wine in his hand.

Maggie nodded, lowering her eyes. “Yes—but I have no one there anymore.” Briefly, she explained her unorthodox childhood and the loss of her parents later on.

Samuel sighed. “It’s a lonely world we live in, Maggie, a lonely world indeed.”

Maggie felt uncomfortable and concentrated on eating what remained of her dinner. Samuel was right, in a way; there were so many people in the world, but few of them touched one another’s lives in any lasting way. “Yes,” she said.

Before the conversation could go on, Philip appeared beside the table, looking frustrated and annoyed. “What the devil do you think you’re doing?” he demanded of Maggie in an agitated whisper, sparing narry a look or a word for Samuel.

Maggie felt too tired and too subdued to be angry at Philip’s intrusion, as she would have been at any other time. “I’m having dinner,” she said, stating the obvious.

Samuel had risen to his feet; he was quite tall and muscular and the look he’d turned on Philip was not a friendly one. “I trust that you have some reason for imposing so flagrantly,” he said.

Philip was trying to be brave, though it was clear that Samuel’s superior size intimidated him. He glared down at Maggie and said through his teeth, “We are leaving, Miss Chamberlin. This very moment!”

Maggie flung down her napkin. “I beg your pardon!” she hissed, conscious that people were turning to stare. This kind of attention she could do without.

Philip studiously ignored Samuel, who looked as though he’d like to strangle him. His face was red, and his amber eyes were fairly crackling with vexation. “You have caused enough gossip for one night, Maggie,” he said evenly. “Don’t make it worse by creating a scene.”