“What’s the question?” one of the dancers asked.
She rushed back to his side and kissed his lips.
Avery got down on one knee and held her hand. “Cosette, I have waited a long time for your answer. Will you marry me?”
There wasn’t a sound. Cosette drew him up.
“I have always loved you and will marry no one else but you.”
The company cheered as Cosette, on the arm of the maestro, walked onto the stage to the delight of the audience. She bowed and glanced at the box. Marie Camargo smiled at her.
With a light running step, she stood under the box and made a deep curtsy. The audience went wild.
Madame Camargo stood and threw her a rose. Cosette picked it up, tucked it into her bodice, and took her position on stage.
The audience quieted, and she nodded to the maestro. The music began...
EIGHT
Present Time
“Are you asleep?” Avery stood next to her in the box.
“Not at all. I’m remembering the first time I came here.” Cosette, a faraway look in her eyes, took his hand.
“The day we met.” He sat next to her.
“Yes, I always thought it was the best day of my life.” She gazed at him, still so handsome, still her knight, her protector.
The orchestra started, and the curtain rose. Within moments, Monique danced out from the wings and did her solo.
“Wonderful,” was all Cosette could say.
“She had to be a wonderful dancer. She reminds me of you.” Avery’s voice trailed off. He sat forward in his seat, stretching for a better look. Slowly he turned toward Cosette. “Is Monique wearing your...”
“Yes. I gave her the red slippers. See how wonderfully she dances. Now, not another word until after the performance. I don’t want to miss anything.”
While the company performed the final dance, she and Avery left their seats and went backstage. Cosette applauded loudly as each dancer took their bow.
Next, she and Avery went on stage. Avery stepped back and left Cosette center stage. The audience came to their feet applauding loudly.
Monique came forward with a bouquet and handed it to Cosette.
Taken by surprise, Cosette graciously pulled two roses from the bouquet. She handed one to Monique and the other to the maestro. After a slight bow, she took Avery’s arm and walked off the stage.
That night, after a short stop to celebrate with the dancers, they sat to a quiet dinner in front of the fire.
“You don’t think the company minded we didn’t stay long at the party?” Cosette picked at the chicken on her plate.
“Not at all, and if they did, I do not care. I wanted you all to myself,” Avery said. “Did you have a good day?”
“The day was wonderful.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Every so often, Avery glanced at her.
“What is it? You keep looking at me like a little boy who has done something very wrong.”
“No. No.” He put down his fork and held her hand. “I must confess. The worn red slippers are just that, worn dance slippers owned by no one important and certainly do not hold the secret to anything.”