The Frozen Rose

CHAPTER FIVE: First day at the theatre

William had not slept well that night. His mind was with a woman, but twas not the woman in his bed. No, the woman in his mind was more beautiful, kinder and had a sweeter voice.

She had looked amazing. She was not the young girl she was when he had left. Now, she was a woman, truly a lady of her status, yet as strong as she was before. She had been surprised to see him, but had found it easy to go back to being not bothered by his presence. When he caught her looking at him, she seemed to be taunting him more than that she was showing him she had missed him.

It made him doubt if she had missed him. He had missed her, but he had always been the weaker one between them. He wondered if mayhap she was not bother by his presence as much as he was by hers because she had found someone else. Andrew had not told him she had, but his friend had always made certain he did not talk of Elizabeth when he around.

That was quite thoughtful of him, but now William realized he wished he had known more about her. Was she happy? Was she lonely? Did she still laugh in the same manner? Had she cried because of his leaving?

He mentally shook his head. He should not be thinking of Elizabeth now. Not only because there was a different woman in his bed, but also because it was torturing himself. Yes, he had made a mistake, but so had she. And he would not give her another chance of potentially ruining his life.

He kissed Caroline's forehead before he stepped out of the bed and put on his clothing.

"Are you leaving?" the sleepy voice of his lover said.

"I have an important assignment starting today," he told her. "I may not be late."

"And you have to rise so early?"

He smiled at her. "Like I said, I do not want to be late. Lord Byron would not appreciate that."

"Ah," she said, and she fell back on the bed. "The book."

"Yes, the book. I want to make it my masterpiece."

"Reading is boring."

"No, it is not."

"I shall be here still when you return tonight," she told him seductively, changing the subject.

"I do not know when I will return."

"Then I might have to wait long." She batted her eyes, hoping it would make William more prepared to agree with her or come home earlier.

But he shook his head. "You will go home. I shall call for you when I need you."

"You will not call for me," she blamed him. "You will call for another mistress."

William did not respond and watched her step out of the bed and take her undergarments.

"Why will you not tell me their names?" she asked with a pout.

"Because they might be your friends."

"I would chase them away from you anyhow," she told him while she walked closer to him. Her hand caressed his shoulder and moved to his face. "I would do anything to be your only lover."

"Then that would be the most successful you will ever be," he sighed. He did not want to waste time getting this woman out of his house, yet she was doing anything to stall him and stay longer. "Now hurry up, I do not want to be late."

"Mayhap you ought to leave me here alone, then, so that I can decide when I leave."

"Mayhap I ought to give you no breakfast so that you cannot stall more."

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An hour later, William had arrived at the theatre in the centre of London. He believed the building to be the heart of the city, but people who did not like the art, would disagree. Upon entering the building, he had to ask for the office of lord Byron. He had been to many theatres, and sometimes he had gone behind the curtain, but he never had he seen behind the production of a play in this theatre.