A Song Across the Sea (39 page)

Mrs. Rutherford leaned back in her chair and looked thoughtful.

“Coffee, Tara? Or would you like more wine?”

“Wine, I think.” Unused to taking spirits, Tara found that the wine infused her with a warm, confident glow. She felt that she could tell Mrs. Rutherford anything.

“You haven’t had an easy time of it, have you? Still, it’s not too late to get you headed in the right direction.”

What did she mean?

Mrs. Rutherford continued. “Something must be done about Muldoon, of course. You simply cannot allow a smalltime hoodlum to play havoc with your life.”

Tara shook her head, trying to order her thoughts. There was something else she needed to tell… Something important.

“And I’m married,” she blurted out. “To Mrs. Millinder’s son Reece.”

Mrs. Rutherford laughed out loud and shook her head. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

Tara told the older woman about how she and Reece met and finally found each other again. About Reece’s accidental killing of the man in the Bowery and how it entangled him with Emory’s schemes. About Adrienne’s letter to her son.

“He’s in Europe now, training pilots for the Allies. I want so badly to make things right between him and his mother before he comes home.”

Mrs. Rutherford nodded. “Well. We’ve lots to do then. You look as if you’re about to fall asleep right here at the table. Best be off to bed with you. Lila will show you the way.”

“What about Mary?”

“Mary is already in your room, sleeping in a cradle, safe and snug and freshly diapered. The maids have been keeping watch over her for you.”

Feeling a little strange about not having to clear the table and wash dishes after dinner, Tara rose unsteadily and followed Lila up the stairs.

Mrs. Rutherford called after her: “I can see that it’s going to be rather exciting having you around here.”

Tara changed into a lace-trimmed nightgown that was laid out for her. She was too tired and disoriented to take much notice of her surroundings. She bent down and kissed Mary on the cheek softly, so as not to awaken the tiny angel, then climbed into bed and dropped off to sleep, still puzzling over Mrs. Rutherford’s remark about having “lots to do.”

•  •  •

Where was she? The cave-like canopied bed in which she awoke was unfamiliar to her, but exquisitely comfortable. In a few seconds, it all came back to her. She was in Mrs. Rutherford’s house. As a guest, apparently. And Mary—?

The cradle next to her bed was empty. Where was her baby?

As if on cue, someone knocked lightly on the door. The two maids she recognized from the day before swept into the room in a gray, crisply starched whirl of activity. One carried a wide-awake Mary, the other, a silver tray bearing breakfast.

“You’re awake, then, Miss. Thought you might sleep the whole day away.” Lila cheerfully handed Mary to Tara. “This little one is a joy, but she’s an early riser.”

“Where are her things?” Tara stammered, feeling slightly foolish. “I need to—”

“Oh, she’s all taken care of, Miss. Diapered and fed. We even took her out for a morning stroll in the garden, it’s such a nice day. I hope you don’t mind, Miss. Mrs. Rutherford had us dash out and buy the baby buggy yesterday, along with the cradle and all manner of baby things. Would have been a shame not to use it on a fine morning like this.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Tara said. “Mary loves her outings.” She still didn’t know exactly what was expected of her. Why were baby things purchased? Did that mean she was spending more than one night here?

The second maid—Evie was her name—placed the breakfast tray over Tara’s outstretched legs and plumped the pillows up firmly behind her back. Breakfast in bed? Sure, and this must be a dream. Evie lifted the sterling silver cover off the dish with a practiced flourish, unleashing the tantalizing aroma of boiled eggs, buttered toast and rashers of bacon. The tray also held a small pot of coffee, orange juice, orange marmalade for the toast and berries and cream for dessert.

“Will this be all right, Miss? Mrs. Rutherford wasn’t sure what you’d want for breakfast.”

“This is…just fine, Evie,” Tara said, a little stunned. If she ate everything on this tray she wouldn’t be able to move! “And please. Call me Tara.” She refrained from telling Evie and Lila that, until yesterday, she’d been a maid herself. She’d changed out of her uniform when she left the Millinder mansion, so they had no way of knowing.

“Yes, Miss. I’ll just put the baby back in her cradle so you can eat.”

Lila pulled back the forest green velvet drapes trimmed with silk tassels that covered the windows. Tara gazed at the strong sunlight in surprise. She had slept late! She and Mrs. Rutherford had talked late into the night.

Lila laid an exquisite sapphire blue dress at the foot of Tara’s bed. “Mrs. Rutherford thought you might like to wear this today.”

“Where on earth did she get it? It looks just my size.”

“Oh, she’s been up since early this morning, calling on the dressmaker and making all sorts of arrangements. When you’re finished eating, she’d like you to come to the music salon. It’s on the main floor, next to the library.”

Lila and Evie departed, leaving Tara to chew on a piece of toast thoughtfully. What would she be doing in the music salon? What kinds of arrangements had Mrs. Rutherford made?

•  •  •

The rich, resonant sound of a piano guided her down the hallway to the music salon as if a genie were transporting her there on a magic carpet. Someone was playing, and playing well. The fingers that were moving over the keyboard, striking crisp chords and raising perfect melodies, were confident and masterful. The music stopped abruptly when she entered the salon.

The grand piano was the centerpiece of what appeared to be a performance area, along with antique French chairs in front of carved cherry wood music racks.

Mrs. Rutherford introduced Tara to the man who was seated at the piano, a Mr. Hawkins. Mrs. Rutherford described him as a “music master.” Hawkins wasted no time on polite chitchat. He handed a piece of sheet music to Tara and expertly played a few bars of the song.

“Can you follow along?”

“I can sight read.”

He quickly taught her the first verse. Then, his fingers never leaving the keys, he commanded: “Now you do it alone!”

Tara complied, not even minding the way he barked the order at her. It felt so grand to sing again, especially to the splendid music produced by this magnificent piano.

When she finished, Mrs. Rutherford said to Hawkins: “Did I exaggerate?”

“No,” he answered calmly. “You certainly did not.”

“Can she be ready in a week?”

He considered it, frowning in fierce concentration. “There’s a tremendous amount of music to learn. She has a great natural gift, but there’s not enough technique there.”

Tara bit her tongue. Not enough technique! After all of those lessons with Mrs. O’Shaughnessy? It sounded very much like an insult against her former teacher! Still, he had said that Tara had a “natural gift.” It was all very confusing.

Hawkins was still talking. “If she’s really willing to put in the effort, I think that we can do it.” He glared at Tara. “We must practice night and day from this moment on. I don’t care if you get tired or hoarse or are out of sorts. Are you prepared to work hard, young lady? Harder than you’ve ever worked before in your whole life?”

Tara couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure and you must not know much about growin’ up on a farm, Mr. Hawkins. I’ve worked hard me whole life. But what is it that we’re talkin’ about, exactly?”

Mrs. Rutherford seated herself on an elegant divan. “I’ve engaged Mr. Hawkins to work intensively with you on vocal instruction. I have certain…connections among Broadway producers. I’ve provided financial backing for a number of shows, you see. I’ve arranged for you to audition for a top Broadway director next week.”

Tara gasped. “So soon? But I need more time to get ready!” This was all happening too fast. She felt nauseated with excitement, yet thrilled at the same time. If only Reece were here! If only she could share this with him and be steadied by his calm assurance.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” said Mrs. Rutherford. “Casting for the show is already in progress. You’re up against stiff competition; the director has two actresses in mind for the leading lady part. I called in a favor, but I can’t ask him to delay his entire production. And keep in mind that my influence may be able to get you an audition, but it cannot get you the role. That you must do on your own. The show is called, ‘Rain or Shine,’ by the way.”

She rose. “I’ll leave you two to work. I’m expecting a visit from a Lieutenant Brady of the New York City Police Department. We’re going to discuss Mr. Muldoon. And don’t worry about Mary. She’s being well taken care of.”

“Mrs. Rutherford, I hardly know what to say.”

“You needn’t say anything. I never properly thanked you for saving my life that night. It pleases me to tie up loose ends. All these years I wondered what became of you. Now it so happens that it’s in my power to give you the opportunity you should have had long ago. It was almost criminal,” she added disapprovingly, “for you to have wasted your talent working as a maid.”

“But I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Get the part. Or they’ll think I’m an old fool.”

When she was gone, Tara shook her head in wonderment. “An amazing woman.”

“Yes,” Mr. Hawkins said, without interest. “Now, let’s take it from the top…”

T
wo months later, theatrical critics trumpeted the arrival of a hit Broadway musical and its enchanting young star, Tara McLaughlin.

‘RAIN OR SHINE’ A MUST SEE IN ANY WEATHER

DIRECTOR RISKS UNKNOWN IN LEAD ROLE

One gets the impression that Miss Tara McLaughlin, a winsome Irish lass with a big, big voice, would be a show-stopper dressed in a potato sack and singing, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Fortunately, director Ted Lattimer’s latest discovery doesn’t have to labor under those disadvantages in “Rain or Shine,” a witty, well-paced musical extravaganza which opened last night at the Ardmore Theater. The score and lyrics by Kip Lang showcase Miss McLaughlin’s extraordinary vocal talents, just as imaginative costuming by the renowned Mrs. Marta likewise enhances Miss McLaughlin’s considerable physical gifts…

‘RAIN OR SHINE’ REVIVES LACKLUSTER BROADWAY SEASON

Amid tired revivals and a patriotic profusion of military-themed revues, one new musical stands out. “Rain or Shine,” which opened Friday night, delivers some of the best numbers heard so far this year. The lead role of “Addie” is taken by Miss Tara McLaughlin, a vaudeville-trained performer making her first appearance in the legitimate theater.

Director Ted Lattimer daringly (this reviewer believes) closes the show on a melancholy note, “Other Fish in the Sea,” delivered by Miss McLaughlin with such range and emotion that there were few dry eyes left in the house when she finished singing. Perhaps the audience felt moved by that astronomical phenomenon seen only on Broadway: the birth of a new star…

SURPRISING STORY BEHIND ‘RAIN OR SHINE’

Director Ted Lattimer says Miss Tara McLaughlin was not his first choice for the lead role of Addie in his latest hit, “Rain or Shine.”

“She was recommended to me by a friend so I auditioned her, thinking she might be suitable for some small role or other. As soon as I heard her sing, I realized that she was Addie…”

Was this really her life? Things were happening so quickly that Tara felt swept along on a current of giddy excitement. Weeks of rehearsals, costume fittings, scene studies and fleeting attacks of paralyzing nervousness culminated in one night that changed her life forever. Opening night.

The best part of the evening came when a telegram was delivered to her as she stood in the wings, waiting to go on.

THRILLED ABOUT YOUR SHOW. STOP. BREAK A LEG. STOP. EXPECT A FRONT ROW TICKET TO EVERY PERFORMANCE WHEN I COME HOME. STOP. ALL MY LOVE, DARLING. STOP. REECE. STOP.

There were celebratory parties and champagne toasts in all the best restaurants in New York. “You were pretty terrific in ‘Raine or Shine,’ Miss McLaughlin,” said a short, youthful-looking blonde man. “Come see me when the show ends its run. I might have something for you.”

She smiled and nodded politely as he returned to his own table.

“Who was that?” she asked.

Her question provoked guffaws of disbelief from the others at her table, mainly members of the cast, along with Ted Lattimer and Celia Rutherford.

“You mean to say you don’t know?” Rita, a clever character actress with a bawdy manner and a husky voice, was frankly disbelieving. “You really don’t know?”

“That, my dear, was Mr. George M. Cohan.” Celia patted her on the arm, looking pleased. “And he thinks you’re pretty terrific.”

George M. Cohan—the great man of American musical theater—thought she was good! He caught her looking at him and raised a glass of champagne to her, a bemused, quizzical expression on his face. She smiled back at him.

Mrs. Rutherford remained a calm, steadying influence in her life. Though Tara could afford her own place now, she insisted that Tara and Mary continue to live at her home.

“Evie and Lila would never forgive me if I let you take Mary away right now. They love having a baby to care for! And you’ll be leaving soon enough anyway, when Reece comes home.”

When Reece comes home…

She desperately wished he were here now, to savor this triumph with her. No matter how many curtain calls and accolades she received onstage, there was an empty space in her heart that would only be filled when Reece came home to her. Sometimes it seemed as if their wedding had been but a dream.

At least her friends were back in her life. She sent tickets to ‘Rain or Shine’ to everyone she knew. Hap and Delores came backstage to her dressing room after the show to compliment her, with Hap fiddling with the celluloid collar of his new blue suit.