“Now?” Cosette sat unable to move.
“Yes, now.” The dressmaker dismissed her with a nod toward the door. “Before I change my mind.”
Cosette jumped out of her chair, put away her sewing, and headed toward the door.
“Do well at the audition.” Madame Vinier didn’t take her eyes off her sewing.
Overwhelmed by the opportunity and Madame Vinier’s encouragement, Cosette hurried back to the woman and hugged her. “Thank you. I’ll make sure the work is finished.”
The dressmaker patted her arm. “I know you will. Now go. I have work to do.”
Cosette left the sewing room and made her way to the dance studio across from the theater. At the studio door she hesitated. The thought of the audition made her stomach queasy. She fumbled with the heavy door and dropped her dance bag, sending its contents in every direction.
Nervous, excited, and embarrassed, she bent down and stuffer her things into her bag.
“You missed this.” Her dance shoe dangled in front of her.
Startled, she took her shoe, looked up and stared at the most handsome man she’d ever seen. He had jet-black hair, beautiful hazel eyes, and a warm smile that magically calmed her.
“Can I help you?”
Expecting the building to be bustling with dancers, she realized it was empty and quiet. For a moment she feared she had entered the wrong building.
“I’m here to audition for the corps de ballet.”
He hesitated a moment. “This way.” He led her to one of the practice rooms adjacent to the rehearsal hall. “Wait here, please.” And he was gone.
She waited and waited some more. When the orchestra began to rehearse, her nerves calmed, and she swayed with the beat until she couldn’t stay still. She began to dance. Before the pas de deux she pirouetted and danced into his arms. Neither of them stopped. Everything about the duet was perfect.
When the final chord was played, and the music faded they stood speechless staring at each other. Her heart ached that the music ended. She wanted to dance with him forever.
“What is your name?” There was a gentle warmth to his voice.
“Cosette Binet.”
“Cosette Binet, I will see you here tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m here to audition. I’m not one of the dancers.”
“You are now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Two hours later she stood in front of Madame Vinier’s shop. She had fretted all the way home. She entered the building, went past the dress shop, and climbed the stairs to the apartment where she lived with her parents.
Her home wasn’t large, two bedrooms and a central common room that served as kitchen, dining room, and salon.
“Mama.” She entered the room and looked for her father. He wasn’t there.
“Cosette? You’re home early.” Her mother glanced up as she dried her hands on her apron.
“Madame Vinier let me leave early. She told me the Paris Opera Ballet was auditioning palace staff today to dance in a special performance.”
Her mother’s expression gave nothing away. It wasn’t a good sign. A flicker of apprehension shot through her.
Go on. Tell her the rest.
“I auditioned. The artistic director told me to come back tomorrow. I’m one of the dancers in the corps de ballet. I still find it hard to believe I was chosen.”
Her mother simply nodded and went back to her washing.