I didn’t want Vincent to know we’d spoken. Please don’t say we talked, please don’t say we talked.

‘I must have got a little lost,’ Lucien said.

Vincent was using his sternest voice, but Lucien was smooth, unruffled.

‘Indeed. If you’re here for a job you should ask for a man named Barky,’ I heard Vincent say. ‘I’d call him for you, but he’ll have gone home by now. You’d best be off and try another day.’

‘I am no performer, sir.’ I could hear the laugh in Lucien’s voice. His words weren’t disrespectful but something about his tone was. It was clear he wasn’t cowed by rank. Vincent wouldn’t like that. He was used to a tugged forelock – but then Lucien was a gentleman too, of sorts.

‘A shame. Strong specimen like you. Be sure to come back if you change your mind.’

Lucien was dismissed, but he didn’t leave, and once more I felt the dread that had come up on me when the usher asked him to remove his hat before the start of the show.

‘Please go,’ I muttered under my breath. Lucien could not have heard it but he may have felt it because he raised his hat, ready to walk away.

‘Goodnight Mr …?’

‘Viscount. Viscount Woodward,’ Vincent said.

Lucien bowed low from the waist. I’d seen less elaborate bows on the stage. He was brave to mock Vincent like that.

‘Lord Woodward,’ he said in acknowledgement. Vincent stood to one side and Lucien brushed past him. His footsteps echoed a little and Vincent watched him all the way until he disappeared into the shadows. Did Lucien have any inkling that Vincent and I were involved? It was no business of his, but somehow I hoped not.

‘Zillah, what are you doing there?’

‘Lord, you made me jump.’

It was only Barky. As usual he’d managed to sneak up on me. I wondered how long he’d really been there. Had he seen me talking to Lucien? I’d need to find out but for now I put my finger to my lips and he peered round to look into the alley.

‘The Viscount is coming,’ he said.

‘I was in my dressing room. I just got here,’ I said and he gave a quick nod to show he understood what I was asking.

‘Look sharp, then.’

He shooed me away and I was just in time to scurry back from the doorway and turn as if I’d only that minute come into the foyer.

‘Darling.’