Selina Kyle placed her wine glass down, and taking a deep breath, said, "Dinner was simply marvelous, Bruce."
Bruce smiled sheepishly and said, "I wish I could take the credit, but Alfred is the one who makes the magic in the kitchen."
Alfred began to clear the dishes away and said, "You are too kind, Master Bruce, but thank you. And Miss Kyle, I am pleased that you found the meal satisfactory."
"Satisfactory?" she said with a laugh. "That is something like saying there is a fair amount of water in the ocean."
"Alfred," said Bruce, "We'll be taking our drinks in the study. Will you bring me the item we discussed earlier?"
Alfred nodded and disappeared through the door. After placing the dirty dishes on the kitchen counter, he immediately went to a small wall safe in the master bedroom. Allowing himself a small smile, he withdrew a small, flat box, and then he returned to the study. There he found Bruce standing by the fireplace and Selina admiring the view of the nation's capitol from the window. He handed Bruce the small box and quietly slipped from the room.
"So tell me, Bruce, what is the secret you've been keeping so securely to yourself for the last two weeks?"
"There's actually two secrets, Selina," he replied. "First, the theatre tonight. It'll be a little different. I've been invited to bring a guest and join the President from his box for the performance."
"Oh, my," she replied, a little wide-eyed.. "Do you think they'd still extend the invitation if they knew your guest was a reformed jewel thief?"
He smiled. "Considering that she would be the guest of a former Pinkerton detective, I think they'd feel secure enough."
"A former Pinkerton who just happens to be a successful industrialist that is helping with the war effort., you mean."
He took a sip of his drink and said, "There's nothing so remarkable about that. Many are doing far more and at greater personal cost."
"Wealthy, handsome, and humble, too," she teased gently. "It's no wonder you're considered one of the nation's most eligible bachelors."
"Funny that you would mention that," he said. "That leads into the second secret." He picked up the box that Alfred had brought him and said, "I though you should have something special to wear for the occasion." With that, he opened the lid, and Selina gasped.
"Bruce?" she asked. "Are you sure? Aren't these…"
"My mother's pearls, yes."
"The ones I was trying to steal five years ago when you caught me and we met for the first time."
"The same."
A slightly confused expression crossed her face, and she said, "As I recall, you said quite clearly that this necklace had not been worn be anyone since your parents died, and that it wouldn't be until it was worn by someone who would be ….. ?" She paused, placed a hand on his arm, and looked at him questioningly.
Bruce set the box on the mantle of the fireplace, reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and removed a diamond ring. Getting down on one knee, he took her hand and said, "Someone who would be with me until death do us part. Selina Kyle, will you do me the honor of being my bride?"
"Oh, Bruce," she whispered softly. "Yes, gladly."
He slipped the ring on her finger, then he rose. Taking the necklace, he fastened it around her neck. Then he drew her to himself, holding her for a moment, until they were interrupted by a polite cough from the doorway.
"Begging your pardon, Master Bruce and Miss Kyle, but the carriage is at the door awaiting you," Alfred said.
"Thank you, Alfred, will you get our wraps?" replied Bruce, not taking his eyes off the woman in his arms.
Alfred nodded and disappeared as Selina rested her head against Bruce's shoulder.
"As if I'll be able to pay any attention to the play after this," she sighed softly.
He smiled, and said, "But how often does a man get to introduce his fiancée to the President of the United States."
"I like the sound of that," she said with a smile. "'Introduce his fiancée.'"
With that, Alfred returned with their coats, and as Bruce helped Selina with hers, she said, "Tell me about this play again."
"It's a comedy, if I recall correctly," he answered. "I believe the name is 'Our American Cousin'".....
* * * * * * * *
Earlier that afternoon, before Selina and Bruce had dinner, two others had been sitting in the dimly-lit parlor of a boarding house on the outskirts of the city. A narrow shaft of light that escaped the drawn curtains fell upon the younger and more sharply dressed of the two as he was intently reading a sheet of paper given to him by his companion.
"Well, Mr. Booth," the second man finally asked, "Is it as I promised?"
"Certainly, Mr. Smith," replied Booth. "I cannot imagine how you were able to learn when they planned to rotate the President's guard."
"That was easy enough," Smith replied. "There are plenty of people, even in the North, who have no love for the President. They don't want to see the African flood sweeping their cities because of this 'emancipation' nonsense."
John Wilkes Booth looked at the sheet one final time before folding it and slipping it into his pocket. "I would like to ask one thing, though. Why are you doing this now? Lee has surrendered and the Confederacy is lost. Why didn't you do this a year ago or more, when we could've rushed upon the headless beast and won our freedom?"
"My reasons are my own," answered Smith slowly. Leaning forward, he said, "All you need to know is that I'm the one who found you after you and your band of fools failed to succeed even with a simple kidnapping. I'm the one who showed you that you could do something truly grand and that you didn't need those other idiots around to get in the way. I'm the one who has provided you with what you need to carry this off."
By now his face was mere inches away from Booth's, and he finished, almost hissing, "Now, do you have any more questions?"
Booth stood quickly and said, "No, Mr. Smith, none at all. Please forgive me if I offended you." He moved to the doorway, turned again to his companion, and said, "You are a true patriot, sir. Long live the Confederacy!" With that, he left.
Smith stood at the window and watched the actor walk swiftly down the street before returning to his room.
"Ah, yes, the Confederacy! As if I really cared about who won their little war," he muttered as he removed his jacket and loosened his collar.
"The war was a thing of beauty, though. Brother against brother, the murder and mayhem, blood running in the streets. Now THAT was lovely, not like this 'peace' they seem to think they've won."
He poured a basin of water and began vigorously washing his face and hands as he continued talking to himself.
"I say that if we can't have the chaos of war, at least we can shake up the peace a bit, and at the heart of it all, little old me!"
He laughed and began to towel his face dry, saying, "I wonder if he really thinks I care one way or another about the darkies."
He placed the towel over the edge of the sink next to the washrag which was now covered with flesh-colored smears. Ripping a brown theatrical wig off his head, he stared into the mirror at his ghostly white image, topped with an unruly green head of hair, and said, "After all, compared to me, they're ALL darkies!" And with that, he let loose with a laugh that filled the room and echoed into the hallway.
* * * * * * * *
A uniformed military aide ushered Bruce and Selina into a sitting room, where they were presently joined by the President. Shaking Bruce's hand, he said, "Good evening, Bruce. Mrs. Lincoln will be joining us shortly. I'm so glad that you and your companion could join us."
Turning to Selina, he bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Kyle."
Selina curtsied, replying, "The honor is mine, Mr. President."
"Bruce has told me so much about you," Lincoln said. "Indeed, it is my hope that our nation as a whole will experience the change and restoration that you have seen in your own life."
Selina's cheeks flushed red and said, "Thank you for your kind words. To be truthful, when Bruce told me about this evening's plans, I was surprised that one like myself would be welcome in such company."
"The fruits of redemption will always be welcome in my home," replied the President.
Blushing deeper still and seeking to change the subject, Selina asked, "Mr. President, Bruce tells me that you have known each other for only a few years."
"Very true," said Lincoln, "although the war has made the passage of years seem so much longer. Bruce was a member of the Pinkerton detail which uncovered a plot against my life while I was traveling to Washington for my first inaugural. I'm told that he was the primary mole in the assassins' inner circle."
Turning toward Bruce, he said, "As I have said before, I owe him my life, and my friendship is his for as long as he wishes."
Looking a bit uncomfortable at the attention, Bruce simply said, "It was a privilege to serve my country. There are many who would do no less."
"He left the agency to take over the family business a short while later," Lincoln said, turning back to Selina, "but I'm not sure anybody other than Allan Pinkerton himself has the natural gift for detective work that he displayed."
At this point, Mrs. Lincoln entered the room. Introductions were made and the foursome left for the theatre.
* * * * * * * *
Booth sat in a tavern across the street, watching as the President's carriage pulled up in front of the theatre. His eyes narrowed as he took another sip of his drink.
"Soon," he thought to himself. "If Mr. Smith's information is as good as he claims, we'll be rid of you before the night's out, tyrant." He then turned back to his table, consulted his pocket watch, and waited.