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she said.
    “That’s the big news,” said Kelly. “I’ve got a new position. I’m going to be an agent at Waters-Harding. Actually, I’m going to be
your
new agent. I made that part of the deal.”
    Jane was at a loss for words. “Congratulations,” she managed.
    “You don’t sound very excited,” said Kelly.
    “Oh, I am,” Jane said. “Very excited. It’s just that I didn’t know you were looking to leave editing.”
    “I wasn’t, really,” said Kelly. “But last week I had a meeting with Knut Amundsen about another author they represent and out of the blue he asked if I’d ever considered being an agent. I guess he was impressed with my negotiating skills. I said I hadn’t given it much thought, and he said I should. Then he offered me a job.”
    “That really is wonderful,” Jane told him, her composure regained. “I know you’ll be a wonderful agent.” She paused a moment so as not to appear anxious. “So who will my new editor be?”
    “A wonderful young woman,” Kelly said. “Jessica Abernathy. She comes from Fourth Street Books. She adores
Constance
. Didn’t stop raving about it the whole interview.”
    “Jessica Abernathy,” Jane said. The name was familiar, but she couldn’t place it.
    “She’s young,” Kelly continued. “But she’s edited some really good books. I really think you’ll—”
    “Jessica Abernathy!” Jane exclaimed. “Of Fourth Street Books?”
    “Yes,” said Kelly. “Do you know her?”
    Indeed I do
, Jane thought.
She’s number 116
.
    “No,” she said, trying to calm herself. “I must have seen her name somewhere.”
As in on her rejection letter
, she fumed.
Adores
Constance
my foot. I’m sure she said it just to get the job
.
    But she couldn’t tell Kelly that. It would seem petty of her. Besides, it was possible Jessica Abernathy had never even read Jane’s manuscript. She could have just rejected it out of hand, then not recognized it when she read the finished product.
    It will be all right
, she told herself.
You can handle this
.
    “When do you start?” she asked Kelly.
    “Two weeks,” Kelly replied. “Then I’ll be your agent. We’ll get you a much better deal than the one you got last time.” He laughed at his little joke.
    Jane tried to laugh, but ended up coughing.
    “Are you okay?” Kelly asked.
    “I just swallowed a little wine,” said Jane. “I’ll be fine.”
    I’ll be fine
, she repeated to herself as Kelly continued talking excitedly about his new job.
I’ll be fine
.
    Twenty minutes later she hung up, having listened to only about half of what Kelly had said. His excitement had only deepened her sadness, and now she felt as she had that first night sitting in the balcony at the opera. She didn’t want to lose Kelly as her editor. She particularly didn’t want to have to work with Jessica Abernathy.
    She turned the music back on and sat back in her chair, her eyes closed. Whatever incentive she’d had to work on her novel was now gone. What was the point? Jessica Abernathy was going to hate it anyway.
    Jane listened as Lord Ruthven wove his spell on the doomedJanthe. Despite knowing it would always end the same way, Jane couldn’t help but hope for the girl’s salvation. As Ruthven sang Jane translated his words in her head.
    Yes, beloved, I belong to you forever,
And forever, beloved, you are mine!
Ah, only love, love makes me happy,
I devote my life to you alone!
    Jane opened her eyes. “Don’t believe him, Janthe,” she said. “He’s going to break your heart. They always do.”

“I’ M SORRY, WHAT WAS YOUR NAME AGAIN ?”
    “Anthony,” the man answered as he rummaged around in one of the many bags he had with him. “But you can call me Ant. Everyone does.”
    “Ant,” Jane repeated. “Of course. And you say you’re with the film people.”
    Ant nodded. “They were supposed to tell you we were coming,” he said as he fiddled with the controls on the video camera in his hands.
    “Yes,