22

Kolbein sat in the darkened theatre, all but holding his breath. When an amber-colored glow lit the stage and the curtain went up, he found himself leaning forward in his seat. Lenore patted his arm, but he couldn’t help himself. He had worried so long about Greta, had feared the worst.

The play began and right away Greta made her appearance on stage to loud applause. She waited until the clapping died down, then turned to the woman who played her mother and began her part.

She was beautiful. Her long brown hair had been carefully arranged to flow around her shoulders and down her back. She was playing the part of an eighteen-year-old of means, and she did it well. Kolbein marveled at her acting ability. Where had this come from? Had she always been so capable of making believe she was someone else?

Gone was the child Kolbein believed her to be. She walked around the stage, toying with a bouquet of flowers and then with a stack of letters. Apparently in the envelopes were numerous proposals for her character’s hand in marriage.

“Oh, Mama,” she said, holding the letters close to her heart. “Whatever shall I do now? There are no less than ten suitors who would have me wed to them, but none of the proposals are from my dear Albert.”

Kolbein eased back in the seat and continued to study his sister. She seemed no worse for the time and distance that had separated them. Of course it was impossible to tell from his seat, and no doubt she was wearing heavy theatre makeup, but Kolbein assessed that she looked very well. Certainly better than he had imagined.

He found it impossible to keep his mind on the story of the play but instead watched each scene for Greta’s appearance and lines. She delivered her memorized words with great passion, and Kolbein could see why the local papers had suggested her as the next Sarah Bernhardt. Throughout the various acts of the play, Kolbein felt a growing sense of peace. Greta seemed very happy, completely at ease in her role on stage. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was content with her role offstage, as well.

Before he knew it, the lights came up and the play was concluded. The audience cheered and demanded that Greta and her fellow actors take several bows. She was presented with a bouquet of roses and smiled her appreciation, giving a delicate curtsy toward the crowd.

“She performs so well,” Lenore declared.

“I was completely taken in,” Abrianna replied. “She had me believing that she really was besotted with the penniless Albert. I was so glad that he turned out to be the long-lost son of the oil baron, and I have to say the actor who played Albert was quite dashing.”

“That’s her husband,” Kolbein murmured. He’d noted from the play’s program that the part of Albert was played by Simon Longmont.

“Truly?” Abrianna asked. Then, without waiting for a reply, as was her usual manner, she began going on and on about his acting abilities and handsome qualities.

Kolbein ignored her ramblings and looked at Lenore. He said nothing, but she seemed to understand. Putting her hand on Abrianna’s gloved arm, she smiled.

“Perhaps we should make our way backstage,” she suggested.

Abrianna nodded. “I think we should. In fact, I know I would love nothing more. Goodness, I had no idea I would enjoy this evening so much.”

Kolbein took hold of each lady’s arm. “I’ll see what I can do to get us through this crowd.” He maneuvered the ladies with great caution through the exiting mass. Going against the flow of people, Kolbein felt a growing urgency to see and speak with Greta. He had to know that she was well and that she was happy. He would never have chosen this life for her, but if she chose it for herself, he would, as Lenore had begged him to do, accept it.

When they approached the stage, a large man in a brown suit held out his arms to stop them. “No one’s allowed backstage.”

“But Mrs. Longmont is my sister, Greta.” Kolbein reached into his vest pocket. “I have waited all evening to see her.” He smiled and extended a five-dollar bill. “Perhaps this will allow us a moment to visit.”

The man refused the money and shook his head. “We don’t allow visitors, and as far as I know, Mrs. Longmont has no family other than her husband.”

Kolbein grimaced at this. Greta had kept his existence a secret from her troupe. Perhaps out of shame. Or maybe in a desire to forget him. Either way, the truth of this cut Kolbein to the quick.

“Are you sure that we couldn’t go back to see her for just a moment?” Lenore asked. “It really needn’t take much time. I’m sure Greta . . . Mrs. Longmont would want to see her brother.”

The man shook his head again. “I can’t allow anyone backstage. I’ll lose my position if I do.”

Abrianna reached out to take hold of Lenore. “We can’t have the man losing his job. Come on. I have a dear friend to whom I wish to say good-night.”

She pulled on Lenore’s arm and forced her to follow. Kolbein had no choice but to accompany them. As much as he wanted to see Greta, he couldn’t leave his intended and her friend to suffer the crowds alone.

“What friend are you talking about?” Lenore asked.

“When we came in, I saw one of my orphan boys. This must be the theatre where they got jobs cleaning up. I’m thinking if we make our way to the workers’ entrance, the boys will allow us entry.”

Kolbein took hold of Abrianna and forced her to stop. “Do you really think they might? I don’t want you ladies exposed to the riffraff of the alleys unless you are absolutely certain.” He let go his hold, embarrassed at his impulsiveness. “Maybe you should stay here and let me go alone. The boys would surely recognize me after being with you and giving them money.”

“Goodness, you worry too much.” Abrianna elbowed him with a smile. “You really need to stop fretting and trust that God has brought us to this place for this time.” She paused before continuing, “But I suppose there might be another guard on the back door.”

“It’s a chance we must take,” Lenore said, looking at Kolbein. “It’s worth the risk, and besides, Abrianna knows most every alley dweller in town.” She touched her friend’s arm. “I once thought her quite mad, but she helped me see that they, too, can be quite decent folk.”

“I suppose if there’s no other choice . . .” His words trailed off as Kolbein considered this madness. I could insist on going alone, but then I would have to leave the ladies by themselves, and that would never do. Not that Abrianna would stay in one place even if ordered. He glanced at the theatre. If I take time to return them to their homes, Greta might well be gone by the time I get back to the theatre. It was a most perplexing quandary. However, he didn’t have to resolve it.

Lenore pulled at his sleeve. “Abrianna is leaving us.” She motioned in the direction Abrianna had gone.

“That girl has no more sense than a cat,” he said, taking hold of Lenore and following.

Outside, the carriages were quick to load up the theatregoers and whisk them away. Some of the homeless beggars had come to seek help from the patrons, and they quickly crowded round as the trio made their way to the alley.

“Hey, Miss Abrianna, is that really you?” one old man asked. He ran his hand down a scruffy beard. “Why, you’re as pretty as a morning sunrise.”

“Thank you, Shem. I see you managed to get the doctor to fix your leg.” She looked back to Lenore. “Or should I have said limb?”

Lenore smiled and shook her head, but Kolbein marveled at Abrianna’s lack of fear. She seemed perfectly at home among the street folk. It didn’t matter to her that she was wearing a gown that cost enough to feed all of these people for a month. She simply loved them and moved among them as Kolbein imagined Jesus must have done with the beggars in His day.

“Now, you come to the back of the school tomorrow morning at exactly six forty-five,” she told the old man. “I’ll have some food you can distribute. Bring your little wagon.”

“Don’t got it no more, Miss Abrianna. Had to sell it,” the man said apologetically.

“Not for liquor, I hope.”

“No, ma’am. You had my promise not to drink again, and I’m holding firm to it. You’ve been too much of an angel to go back on my word. Nobody ever cared about me like you do ’cept for my mama.”

Abrianna touched the old man’s filthy coat sleeve. “And I’m sure she loved you dearly. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to see someone in the theatre. Don’t forget about tomorrow.”

“I sure won’t, Miss Abrianna. You have a good time with your friends.” With that the old man scurried off to beg money from one of the well-dressed gentlemen.

Kolbein shook his head in amazement. He’d never met a woman like Abrianna. She was so rough at the edges yet so compassionate and kindhearted. As the man suggested, perhaps she was more angel than human.

Holding fast to Lenore, Kolbein followed quickly after Abrianna, who, despite the muddy alleyway, picked her way through without difficulty. Again, she approached the people gathered around the back stage door as if they were long-lost friends. He marveled at her ease with the actors who were smoking in the alley. She congratulated them on a wonderful performance and then explained her search for Toby.

“One of those cleanup boys is just inside,” a tall, lean man told her. “Go ahead and see for yourself.”

“Thank you so much,” Abrianna said, beaming him a smile. At the back of the theatre she peeked inside the open door.

“Toby? Toby, are you in here?”

She stepped inside and Kolbein and Lenore followed her. The area was a madhouse of performers and stage crew, and the noise seemed to increase by the minute. As Abrianna led them through the onslaught, Kolbein thought it a most fascinating maze. The air smelled of cigarette smoke and body odor, but no one seemed to notice or mind.

“Toby!” Abrianna exclaimed, reaching out to hug the boy.

Kolbein saw the young man at nearly the same moment. He breathed a sigh of relief. He stood back for a moment while Abrianna conversed with him. No doubt she would have a better chance of gaining entrance than he would. Finally she motioned Kolbein and Lenore to join her.

“Toby will take us to your sister,” she said. “Now, give him the five dollars that the big man wouldn’t take.”

Kolbein considered the demand for only a moment before reaching back into his pocket for the bill. “Thank you, Toby. I am most anxious to see my sister.”

“Everybody wants to see her,” Toby admitted. “She’s got all sorts of folks trying to talk to her, but she don’t talk to nobody. I reckon, though, she’ll want to see her own brother, so I don’t think anybody will get mad at me.”

He led them through the back of the theatre, past the changing rooms, where most of the performers were in various stages of undress. They were laughing and chatting, as though being half clothed in the company of others was the most normal thing in the world. Toby looked over his shoulder, making certain he hadn’t lost Abrianna, then paused at a door near the end of the hall.

“This is Mrs. Longmont’s dressing room. She has a lady who helps her dress and fix her hair. Her name is Mabel, and she’s always real nice to me.” He knocked on the door, adding, “Sometimes she gives me her extra food.”

“What a wonderful woman,” Abrianna said. She stepped back so that Kolbein could move closer to the door.

Kolbein swallowed back his fear that he’d already missed seeing Greta. What would he do if he had? Try again tomorrow night? Send her a letter? Lenore gave his arm a squeeze as if she completely understood his fears. He placed his hand atop hers, only then realizing that he was trembling.

“Yes?” a middle-aged woman with coal-black hair said, answering the door. “Oh, Toby, what’s this about?”

“Mr. Booth here is Mrs. Longmont’s brother. He wants to see her.”

“Ain’t no one allowed to see Mrs. Longmont,” she said, looking at Kolbein and the ladies as though she didn’t believe their story.

“But you have to let him, Mabel. See, his sister left, and he thought she was dead. We been looking for her out on the streets for weeks now. Mr. Booth just wants to make sure she’s doing all right. He won’t stay long, and he don’t mean her any harm.”

Mabel looked skeptical. “Well, I don’t know. I suppose I could ask. You wait here.”

Kolbein didn’t want to wait, but the woman was already closing the door. He could only pray that there wasn’t another exit to the room. If Greta didn’t want to see him, he knew she’d do most anything to escape.

However, it was only a moment before the door opened again and a robe-clad Greta stood in the entrance. “Kolbein! I can’t believe you’re here.” She threw herself into his arms and hugged him. “Oh, please don’t be mad at me. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Oh, Greta. I’ve been so afraid harm had come to you.” He held her for a moment, thanking God in silence for her safety.

His little sister pulled away. “That’s why I sent the letter. I didn’t want you to fret. I sent it about two weeks ago. Didn’t you receive it?”

“I’ve been in Seattle since you left. I followed you here but then lost track of where you had gone. I’ve had men—” he paused and looked back at Lenore and Abrianna—“and women searching all over town for you.”

She looked completely dumbfounded. “Well, I never meant to cause you such worry. I know we parted on bad terms, but I’ve been so happy.” She looked over her shoulder. “Come inside and we’ll talk more.” She led them into the small room. “Mabel, would you tell Mr. Longmont that I’d like him to join us here?”

“Of course, ma’am.” The maid curtsied and hurried from the room through what appeared to be an adjoining door.

She gave Kolbein a sheepish smile that reminded him of when she was younger. “I suppose you must know that I’ve married.”

“I had heard as much,” Kolbein replied, uncertain what else he should say.

“I hope you will like him. He’s the one I tried to tell you about. Simon and I first met when I was away at boarding school. His father and mother were administrators of the school. We became fast friends, even though the young ladies were not to have male friendships.” She shrugged and smoothed down the collar of the silk wrap. “I guess I’ve always been good at going against the rules.”

“Indeed,” Kolbein said, smiling. He was so relieved to see her safe that he couldn’t fault her for such behavior, much less chide her.

“I’d offer you a seat, but there’s only one,” Greta said.

“We don’t need chairs,” Abrianna said. “I’m Abrianna Cunningham. I’m a friend of your brother and his fiancée.”

“Fiancée? Kolbein, are you really getting married?” Greta looked to Lenore. “Is this your bride-to-be? Oh, I thought he might never find true love.”

Kolbein laughed. “I suppose I have no secrets where Abrianna is concerned. Yes, this is my intended. Lenore Fulcher, I would like you to meet my sister, Greta Lavinia Booth . . . Longmont.”

“I’m so happy to meet you at last,” Lenore declared. “You are a wonderful actress, and Kolbein has spoken about you with such fondness.”

“I’m very glad to meet you, as well, and I thank you for the compliment. But you must forgive me for my shock. I can scarce believe my brother has proposed,” Greta replied. “He’s always been one to keep to himself. However did you meet?”

“We met at Abrianna’s home,” Lenore told her. “It’s a long story but one that I hope we will have time to share in the near future.”

“We’ll have to,” Kolbein said, “since we’re to be married very soon.”

Just then the dashing young actor who’d played the part of Albert joined them. He had a towel in hand and was in the middle of wiping makeup from his face. “Greta, are you all right?” He gave Kolbein a wary look.

“I’m perfectly fine, silly. Come meet my brother, Kolbein.”

The man’s expression grew more intent, and Kolbein couldn’t help but wonder what his sister had told her husband. Kolbein sought to put the man at ease.

“I’m sure you were expecting a monster with three heads and horns, but I assure you I vanquished him before coming here and now stand before you quite at ease.”

Simon gave a slight smile. “I am glad to know that he will no longer bother Greta.”

Greta took hold of her brother’s arm. “I hope you mean that, Kolbein. I want no trouble and desire only peace between us.”

Kolbein looked at his sister with new eyes. When had she grown up? When had she acquired a woman’s heart and mind? “It seems just yesterday you were a little girl.”

She let go of his arm to give a twirl. “And yesterday I was. But today I’m full grown. I love seeing new places and being on the stage.” She stopped and looked toward Simon. “And I am most passionately in love with my husband.”

Realizing there was little he could say, Kolbein only nodded. He loved Greta with all his heart. She was the only bit of family left to him. Lenore eased the awkwardness of the moment.

“Kolbein and I will be married soon. I would like very much for you to attend me in the wedding ceremony. Abrianna is my maid of honor, but I’d like you to be my bridesmaid.”

“I would love to do that, Lenore. I have always wanted a sister, and now I shall have one.” She looked to her brother. “We will be in town another month and then our troupe is traveling to California. Will the wedding occur before the end of June?”

Kolbein met Lenore’s smiling face. Her eyes reflected the love he felt for her. “It will be perfect. I believe we have set the date for the sixteenth of June. It will be a late-morning wedding, so that shouldn’t interfere with your performances.”

Taking hold of her husband, Greta turned. “Could I have just a moment alone with Kolbein?”

“Of course.” He looked to Lenore and Abrianna. “Why don’t I show you ladies the prop room. I think you’ll get a better idea of what we go through when preparing for our plays.”

Lenore and Abrianna accompanied Simon from the room, leaving Kolbein and Greta alone. Kolbein had no idea what Greta wanted to say to him, but he hoped to interject his own thoughts beforehand.

“Greta, before you speak, I have to tell you how sorry I am for the way I behaved. You had every right to be angry—even to leave. I’m just sorry that I forced your hand in that way. You see, when Mother and Father died I felt so overwhelmed by my new responsibility. I knew I wasn’t capable of being what you needed, so I sent you to the best schools, hoping someone there would be the one to meet your needs. I held you at arm’s length, fearing that I would fail you. Therefore, I didn’t want to be too near to you. I suppose I thought the distance would make it easier for us both. I know now that I was wrong. Seeing you tonight . . . well . . . I realize that I never allowed you to grow up—at least not in my mind’s eye. I am sorry.”

She put her finger to his lips. “I didn’t ask to speak to you for an apology, Brother. I know how it was for us, and I always understood. It grieved me, but over time I came to realize that your love for me was just as strong as it had been, but there was the addition of responsibility for my well-being. That was a huge responsibility to put on your shoulders, but you handled it the best you could.” She paused and smiled. “I wanted to speak to you alone to offer my own apology.

“I knew it was wrong to leave as I did. I was full of guilt and anguish in knowing that I had given you cause to worry and grieve. Oh, Kolbein, I never wanted to hurt you. Please forgive me.”

Kolbein sighed. She truly had grown up. “It would seem we are both full of remorse and regret. Of course I forgive you, but I must know—are you truly happy?”

She laughed and tossed back her long brown hair. “I am. I have never been happier. I love acting, and while I know some think it scandalous, I find it the perfect way to share my heart with others. And Simon is the love of my life. I feel like we’ve known each other since the beginning of my days on earth. He is considerate and kind, and he wants only the best for me.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Kolbein said. “All I want for you is that you have the life you desire. Which brings me to another topic. Your inheritance.”

Greta’s eyes widened. “You mean you will still allow me to have it?”

“How could I not?” Kolbein declared. “It’s not my money. Even so, I hope you will be cautious. It is a great amount, and I would hate to see you swindled out of it.”

She seemed to consider the matter for a moment. “Perhaps you could watch over it for me in Chicago, and when I need funds I could wire you. I know that Simon would agree that you are more knowledgeable about such things.”

“I won’t be in Chicago anymore, although our house there is still open to us. I haven’t yet made up my mind about selling it. My life is here now in Seattle . . . with Lenore. I have taken a position at a law firm and am even now looking for a house to buy my bride. And if you wish for me to continue watching over your trust, I will happily do so from here.”

“Wonderful. Then everything is resolved, and we can move forward the best of friends. Just as we should have always been.”

Kolbein was humbled by her words. “You never gave up on me, and for that I’m grateful.”

“Of course not, silly.” Her smile broadened. “Just as you never gave up on me.”