“Stay with me,” he whispered against her lips.
She gave him a kiss and wiggled free. “I must go. Until tomorrow.”
Standing at the door, she watched as her Avery, she reveled in the thought, headed back to the dance studio.
* * *
Every dayfor the next three weeks, Cosette worked hard. The new choreography was breathtaking, but difficult. The combinations and tempo challenged her to her limits. Grueling repetitive practices took their toll.
Every night she and Avery went over the day’s rehearsal. He gave her suggestions on timing, on foot position. She focused on Madame Camargo’s technique. And those rare times when the famous dancer came to the studio to assist and demonstrate step-by-step, Cosette found her style was hard to duplicate.
She and Avery became inseparable. While she focused on Camargo’s technique, Avery and Claude worked together choosing dancers for the solo parts.
Madame Camargo unveiled the new ending to the third act. Madame and Claude went over the intricate combination and jumps with all the dancers. They would choose two dancers to train for the major part and would award the role to one of them.
“All of you did well, but there is only one major role in this ballet,” Madame Camargo said. “Suzanne, you and Cosette will train. The rest of you, Claude will be at the other end of the hall. He will announce the four soloist parts.”
Rather than rush to congratulate them, the dancers hurried to the far end of the hall to find out who would be soloists and Suzanne was standing by her side.
“The others think you’re given special treatment. We all see how you are with Avery, as if you are something special.” She felt Suzanne’s glare as she searched through her things. “I told you, he will hurt you in the end. He’ll promise to make you great. He’ll make you believe you are the only one in his life. When all you are to him is another new dancer, nothing more.”
“Princess, did you have a good day?” Avery walked up to them.
Cosette, on her knees searching under the bench, let out a breath and peeked up at him.
“What are you looking for?” He squatted next to her.
“I can’t find my shoe.” She bent and continued to search.
Avery stood and glared at Suzanne.
“Oh.” Suzanne avoided Avery’s stare as she fished for something in the bag slung over her shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I must have mistakenly gathered it up with my things.”
Suzanne plucked Cosette’s shoe from her bag and handed it to her. “If you’ll excuse me. I promised to meet the others.”
Suzanne strutted out the door.
“I’m not sure why she hates me. Or why Madame Camargo is training me for the major role in this ballet. No matter how hard I try, my feet won’t work.”
“Let’s not spend our time thinking about Suzanne or dancing. I thought a walk along the Seine and some fresh air would do us both good.” His hand on her back, he maneuvered her through the studio to the door.
They stepped outside. A nip in the air made Avery adjust his neck scarf while Cosette pulled her wrap closer.
“Do you think it will rain?” Her question came without any warning.
“Rain?” He glanced at the sky. “Look up. The night is clear. the stars are out. It will not rain.”
“You’re from a family of magicians. You could make it rain.” She laughed at the idea.
“What is this fascination with rain?” He stopped and stood at the stone wall along the river.
“Nothing.” She let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t want to dwell on Suzanne or the ballet.”
“Marry me.” Avery blurted out.
Cosette stopped laughing and stared at him. Her heart thundered at the thought of being his wife.
“My proposal stopped you from thinking about the ballet and Suzanne.” Avery’s mischievous smile brightened his face. He looked like a young boy filled with excitement. “And rain.”