Digging wealth

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

But he admired her spirit and determination and she had an almost child-like belief that if she wanted something badly enough then she would surely get it. And beneath the tempestuous, often ruthless exterior, he sensed there was still a vulnerable young girl who could be hurt. Her very wilfulness and selfishness were weapons with which to combat disappointment, disillusionment and sensitiv ity, for no true artist could be totally without a core of sensitivity.

No staircase had ever looked so steep before. Gina's heart had never pounded as rapidly before, either, and she was shaking. What if she forgot her lines, there were so many of them? What if she got dizzy up there on the platform that was the top deck? And, horror of horrors, what if she tripped on these damn skirts? Oh, she wished it were all over. The show had been a big hit on Broadway so there was no reason why it shouldn't be here. It just depended on her! She swallowed hard. What would happen if when she got up there everything went completely blank, her mind frozen in sheer panic? The orchestra had finished tuning up and had begun to play the opening bars of 'Ole Man River'. She moved back, out of sight of the audience, for Maybelle Leroy didn't appear for ten more agonizing minutes.

Elianna was reading the story to Ariah from the pro gramme when Edward arrived.

I'm sorry I'm so late, but I went to make sure Gina wasn't having hysterics. How are you, Elianna?"

She smiled at him. He'd been kindness itself, making all the arrangements after she'd contacted him. He'd even take them to the hotel to change and then a taxi cab had arranged for someone to meet them at Euston Station and arrived to bring them to the theatre. 'I'm fine. Is Gina having hysterics?"

'Not quite, but she's as nervous as hell. Oh, I beg your pardon! This must be Ariah? How do you do, Ariah?' He extended his hand and smiled.

How do you do, Mr Vinetti,' she replied, solemnly.

'Lewis is very busy,' Elianna explained rather awk wardly. 'He's expecting to get an answer on a contract he's tendered for. If he gets it it will make a big difference to the business."

'I'm glad he's busy, otherwise I couldn't have come!'

'Ariah!' 'She certainly doesn't mince her words, does she?" Edward laughed.

'Ma has read me the story, from the book, and it's so sad in parts, but isn't it romantic!'

Now that's enough, Miss! promised your Pa you wouldn't go getting any ideas about going on the stage." Edward grimaced. 'I should think one prima donna in the family is quite enough. Well, here we go, sit back and enjoy yourselves!"

As the curtain rose, Elianna leaned forward, trying to pick out Gina, then she glanced at her programme and realized Gina wasn't due on just yet. She leaned back but handed the opera glasses to Ariah with the whispered instruction not to drop them.

The music was catchy, the set and costumes magnificent and when Gina at last appeared Elianna gave a little gasp. Surely this wasn't the girl she'd waved goodbye to? Despite the blonde wig and the billowing crinoline that made her appear younger and very girlish, this was a young woman who oozed confidence and charm and, when she began to sing, Elianna was amazed how much her voice had improved. Oh, how Gina had changed. There was an aura about her, a charisma that was electrifying. The young girl from the small Irish country town had gone. A woman with poise, vivacity and a talent to sing and act had taken her place. Now she knew what Edward had first seen in her. It was almost laughable that this young woman had failed to win a second-rate, provincial talent contest. Such was Gina's powerful portrayal of Maybelle that Elianna soon forgot it was actually Gina and became as enthralled as Ariah.

Edward had at last relaxed. He had been almost as tense as Gina, knowing that his own reputation, as well as hers, rested on her performance. He'd put his neck on the block for her. He'd cajoled, threatened and bribed to get her the part. After all, competition had been stiff and she was still a new name, an untried entity. They were all taking one hell of a risk. But now he knew he'd been right to trust his instincts. She was a true professional. He'd had serious qualms over her acting ability and there'd been so many rows and tantrums that he'd lost count, but tonight she was magnificent. Even the Southern drawl that she'd sworn that she would never master, sounded passable to everyone except anyone born in the South. There would be no holding her now and there was an irony in the words of her first song 'Only Make Believe, I Love You." He hummed it to himself. Gina lived in a 'make believe' world. She wouldn't know reality if it hit her in the face, or rather she'd choose to ignore it.

Edward glanced at Elianna, thinking how different she was from Gina. Oh, she was very elegant in a black, silk dress embroidered around the neck with beads and she wore a matching headband, but it was her serenity that impressed him. She obviously got on very well with the child, who was a pert little minx, but he wondered if she was happy with her elderly husband. With Elianna you could never tell. Yet he knew from Gina that she was strong-minded when she chose to be and she also had a temper, although he could never imagine her indulging in

the kind of screaming tantrums Gina threw. When the curtain came down for the Interval, amid resounding applause, Elianna turned to him. 'Oh,

Edward wasn't she wonderful! I just can't believe it's really our Gina! She's changed so much and she's so talented. Now I know what you saw in her, she's going to be a big hit, isn't she?'

'Yes.' She thought

he didn't sound exactly overjoyed by this fact. The door to the box opened and a waiter appeared

bearing a bottle of Champagne and glasses. 'It's always like a cattle stampede trying to get a drink,

so I ordered in advance.' 'Oh, you shouldn't have, it must be so expensive!'

'In view of the fact that we couldn't make it to your wedding, I think it is the least I can do."