A Rose By Any Other Name | Anthony Bridgerton

- CHAPTER II -

SPRING 1814

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     DESPITE THE VARIOUS NAMES that have been strewn back and forth in regard to who may be residing in Rosewood House, this author has her own suspicions. Though they may seem odd, I implore you, dear reader, to listen close.

     Not more than a fortnight ago, it was announced by the Theatre Royal Drury Lane that in two weeks time there would be a singular performance of the same play I have been alluding to. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet would be led by the famed Greek actress Miss Rose Xenakis at the request of Her Majesty. Not long after this announcement did our mystery arise.

     May I suggest, dearest gentle reader, that Miss Xenakis and the newest resident of Mayfair are one and the same? If it may then come to light that there is truth in this suggestion, may I further suggest that perhaps Her Majesty has fallen too far a victim of fantasy?

     It is well known that the royal family, particularly the princes, have become what some might claim as too acquainted with actresses in the past. Now, as rumours of our newest resident can be tracked by carriage to and from Drury Lane each day, it seems that the royal infatuation with the arts may have gone too far.

     As for our Juliet, perhaps Miss Xenakis has become overly comfortable in her role. Though Juliet Capulet may be of noble birth, Miss Xenakis is not. Has she so soon forgotten the consequences of a name? Or must she be reminded of the demise of dear Juliet? The scribbling mamas, scrambling daughters, excessively proud lords, and raking sons will not be found as kind as those in fiction.

- Lady Whistledown 

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     Rose tapped the crease of the pamphlet against her chin. Despite her earlier disregard of the gossip, the passing of the day had sent her into an anxiety. After hours of rehearsal and show plagued by stress, she was unable to avoid the paper any longer. It was keeping her thoughts from the performance, which simply would not do. In attempts to quiet her mind, she had decided to read the pamphlet previous to the final scene. It was the most important of all and required her full attention. However, this 'Lady Whistledown' had only furthered her grief.

     To say that Rose was a liar, would be untrue. To say that she often found it necessary to exaggerate the truth in order to make herself appear more courageous than she was in a current situation would be more accurate.

     For example, when Rose would say that she did not care for first impressions or gossip, it was true in most situations. In each town she had ever visited in Greece, she had not been welcomed without gossip. She was accustomed to it. However, the people in those towns were unknown to her, and the theatres there were mere stepping stones.

     Here, she did not need Lady Whistledown to remind her of the position she was in. Rose had a queen to impress upon, and a high standard to meet. Not only must she appeal to Her Majesty, but Miss Xenakis also had an acquaintance here in London whom she was arguably more worried about appealing to. Despite attempts to maintain her principle on first impressions, she could not help but hear the already swirling voice in the back of her head claiming that she did not belong.

     To be frank, none of these worries had begun until her interaction with the horrible man earlier. Now that the interaction had concluded, she could admit with some humiliation that she was not very proud of how she had acted, though that was not a statement she would ever address were she to meet the man again. There was humiliation, but very little of it. However, that humiliation had been enough for her to worry about her first interaction with her acquaintance after the performance.