Chapter 17London, September 12, 1895
Track Three
Madame Katarina Rasmirovna—sometime prima donna of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, toast of all Europe for her breathtaking performances of Cinderella and of Carmen, newly returned to London for a brief engagement—leaned against the door of the luxurious hotel suite that was serving as her home this fortnight and closed her eyes.
This is ridiculous. I should be happy.
She was not unhappy, to be sure. There was nothing to be unhappy about. Tonight she had sung before the packed Royal Opera house with the famous Italian emerald known as the “Cat’s Eye” glittering at her breast. She had received a standing ovation and armloads of roses afterward. There was an undeniable thrill in this triumphant return to the city she had left what felt like a l
