Nero's Fiddle by A W. Exley

are we looking for?”
    “Helen of Troy’s fan. According to the book, it is said to attract admirers, inspire love, and make men your willing supplicants.” Cara imagined having such an object might be handy. That would shake things up around here.
    “Well, she certainly did that. How did it end up at the theatre?”
    She forgot the book, her eyes closed as Nate massaged her scalp. A purr welled up in her throat. “Father was unclear on that. Reading between the lines, he had his eye on a singer and perhaps planned to gift it to her.”
    “Given he placed it in such a public spot, I wonder if it’s still there.”
    “I guess we’ll find out. The notebook says it’s concealed in a box he used to frequent. Behind one of the decorative roses is a small panel at the front that can be removed. Behind that is a coded safe that should contain the fan. If it hasn’t already been discovered.” She picked up a tiny gold key. “This was stuck to the page about the fan.”
    “Good. It will be the perfect opportunity to show off my viscountess.” He laced his fingers around her neck. “Wear your dragon diamonds with that new red velvet dress. I want to see you wrapped in fire.”



London, Friday 10 th January, 1862
    he horses trotted along Bow Street. Moonlight slid over bronze rumps and gave off golden flashes against the passing buildings. They joined the queue of carriages waiting to discharge passengers under the portico of the opera house. Cara craned her head out the window to watch as some poor noble decided to beat the crowd by being lowered from airship onto the roof. The woman in full evening gown swayed back and forth with the slight wind. Her ostrich feather headpiece disappeared on a gust and her skirts blew up around her waist to reveal lacy drawers. Cara couldn’t help the laugh that welled up. Probably not the entrance she planned on making.
    Nate shook his head. “They are far too high. What were they thinking trying to drop passengers from that height? Their captain must be an idiot if he can’t hover lower than that.”
    As Cara stepped to the pavement, screams came from above as staff tried to winch the woman to the flat roof. A crowd gathered to witness the impromptu show and ruin the woman’s reputation by discussing her undergarments.
    “So we won’t be doing that next time?” she asked.
    He gave a huff. “I think we shall, just to show them how it should be done.”
    “Well, you don’t have to worry about the wind lifting my dress and showing my drawers.” She leaned in close to him. “You know I don’t wear any.”
    “It’s one of the many reasons why I love you,” he whispered. He took her arm and escorted her up the wide stairs into the foyer.
    The roof was three stories above their heads with rose-coloured marble columns to hold it aloft. Chains lowered chandeliers closer to the patrons. Thousands of tiny lights and crystals glittered and threw sparks around the soaring space.
    Nate slid Cara’s cloak from her shoulders, revealing the deep red velvet dress clinging to her form. Embroidered gold-thread flames licked around the hem of the train and reached up to encircle her waist and side, the perfect complement to the dragon diamonds around her neck. The scale backing threw molten claws whenever the light caught the gems.
    Curious and hostile glances alike followed them as they wound their way up the stairs. Brick the bodyguard trailed behind, resplendent in formal wear and enjoying his change from working the docks strapped in a metal exoskeleton.
    Nate’s box was positioned close to the stage and Brick swung the door open. He did quick visual sweep around the plush interior before he stood back to admit them. The box was furnished in deep red, from striped wallpaper to curtains, and even the velvet on the chairs. The little room had two rows of three chairs at the front. The back half held a sideboard for serving drinks and food. A champagne bucket stood in a tall steel