Page 80 of Best Supporting Actor
“Lisette’s one of the trustees on the festival board,” Mandy explained.
“I’m afraid so—for my sins!” Lisette gave a little laugh, then added more earnestly, “I jest, but it’s truly rewarding being able to use my business acumen to support the arts. I’ve always been passionate about the theatre, and now that I’m retired, I have more time to give.”
Jay smiled politely. “You ran your own business?”
“My own fashion label,” Lisette said, gesturing at the sack dress as if to say, ‘Obviously.’
“How wonderful,” Jay said. “A creative person with business experience—I’m sure you’re a great asset to the board.”
“Well, I like to think so,” Lisette said modestly, clasping her hands at her chest. “Of course, this is a big year for us—our first season being an annual event. Until now, it’s been every second year. We feel this will be a wonderful boon for local businesses.” When Jay nodded agreement, she added, “And we're bigger too. We’re putting on more productionsandwe have more big names.” She beamed at him. “Such as your good self.”
Jay’s smile froze. “You… know about that?”
She tapped her nose. “Only those of us on the board,” she said, then laughed and added, “Well, and Quentin, of course. As though I could keep anything secret from him!”
Quentin piped up then. “She knows I like your vampire show,” he brayed from the sofa. “Very droll. Normally, I detest the theatre but I might come and see your play.”
“Quentin!Sshhh!” Lisette hissed. “I told you on the QT!”
“Oh, sorry,” he said without the slightest hint of remorse.
Jay felt a stirring of panic. Smiling tightly, he turned to Lisette and said, “Um, youareaware that we’ve deliberately not gone public about my involvement? We’re keeping it under wraps till opening night.”
“Oh, yes, yes,” Lisette said airily, waving her hand as though to bat away some objection. “Don’t worry. We’re all friends here, tonight.”
“Yes, well,” Jay said slowly. “There are quite a few people hereIdon’t know and who I don’t think are on the board, so if you could be a little more circumspect, I’d be grateful.”
Lisette frowned, plainly irritated now. In a less friendly tone, she said, “I’ve lived in York all my life, Jay, and I can assure you that everyone here tonight is perfectly trustworthy. They’re all therightsort of people.”
Really?Jay thought angrily.Like bloody Austin Coburn?
“Besides,” she went on blithely, waving a heavily be-ringed hand, “from abusinesspoint of view, I must say I question the value of keeping your involvement secret any longer. The board is dying to share the news.There’ll be a ticket frenzy when it gets out, of course, but if we leave it too late, there’s a risk we’ll lose customers who can’t travel at short notice. Or they’ll only come for your play and not stay for the whole festival.”
Jay’s stomach gave an unpleasant lurch. That was exactly what Giles had argued the other night, and Bea had been dropping hints about making an announcement—or at least starting a rumour—for a while. They were clearly hoping Jay might soften, but he had been up-front about his feelings on this issue from the start and he had no intention of giving way. He simply couldn’t.
That said, he had to face up to reality, and it seemed there were quite a few people here tonight who knew about him. Giles had apparently taken it upon himself to tell all the trustees. And bloody Lisette had told her other half!
That was already far too many people for Jay’s comfort.
But worse than that was the possibility that Austin knew too. Hell, if he and Giles were friends, Giles had probably already told him. And even if Austin didn’t know yet, there was a good chance that someone would blab it out in front of him tonight. Or Austin might just put two and two together for himself. There weren’t exactly a ton of alternative explanations as to why Jay was here—with Dame Cordelia, too—especially when everyone knew there was a mystery about who was playing Sassoon.
Fuck.
Panic rising, Jay’s gaze flickered over to Bea, who was still chatting to Austin and Giles. Right then, as though he sensed Jay’s attention, Austin turned his head in Jay’s direction and their gazes met. Austin’s eyes narrowed. Then he lifted his glass in a small toast, offering a thin-lipped smile. There was nothing friendly about that smile and Jay quickly tore his gaze away, his heart slugging unpleasantly, palms damp.
He realised that Lisette was still talking, and that he hadn’t heard anything she’d said for the last minute or more. Panic surged inside him.
Shit. He needed a minute alone to pull himself together.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Would you excuse me? I’ve just remembered something rather important that I need to make a quick call about.”
Lisette stopped talking and frowned. Offended, probably, but Jay couldn’t bring himself to care. Glancing at Mandy, he added apologetically, “I’ll just be a few minutes.”
“Take your time,” Mandy replied easily. “Philip will still be sitting behind the lemon tree when you get back. Use his office for your call if you like.”
Somehow he managed a smile and a few polite words for the now-frosty Lisette before he walked away, working to keep his pace unhurried and his expression neutral. His panic at bay.
Tag, who was still deep in conversation with Dame Cordelia, clocked him on his way out of the orangery. He frowned questioningly at Jay, and Jay shot him a quick, reassuring smile, though he didn’t pause to speak.