THREE
Suzanne gaped at her. Jeanine and the others tried to hide their grins but did a poor job.
The ballet master spent the following hour working on the next combination. “Well done, everyone. Be back here in fifteen minutes.”
Cosette left the rehearsal hall. A few moments away from Suzanne and her group would settle her nerves and give the others time to move their gossip on to something or someone else.
It was her first time in the dance studio. Based on the studio’s location across from the palace, and the arrangements of the rooms, the building must have been a private residence at one time.
The entrance hall was a modest size and opened into the main hall with the ballroom beyond. To the right of the entrance and main halls were the dining hall, stairs, and the estate office. On the left were the morning room, the intimate women’s sitting room, drawing room, and library.
The rooms were light and graceful with fairly plain walls in clear pale colors. This décor was opposite that of the opulent Tuileries Palace. Elaborately looped and swagged drapery with heavy fringes decorated the tops of the windows. Columns of tied back curtains in the same material were on either side of the windows.
After peeking into the various rooms, she realized the only room with furniture was the estate office. So far, all the other rooms were converted into rehearsal or private practice rooms.
A little farther down the hall, tucked in the corner, a door was ajar. As she passed the room, she glimpsed shelves filled with books lining the walls. A flash of movement darted across the door startling her. Curious who was practicing, she stood at the door. It was Monsieur Dubois. His movements and easy style were precise, clean, and appeared to be effortless.
Nervous she was intruding, she wanted to quietly step away but was mesmerized by his dancing. His adagio was slow, graceful, fluid. He finished with a spinning double leap followed by a chassés that traveled across the room and stopped in front of her. He bowed deeply but tilted his head and winked. Startled, she didn’t know what to do so she laughed.
“Did you have a good day?” His wide smile and warm rich warm voice put her at ease.
“Yes, I did, Monsieur Dubois.”
“We’ve already had our first dance. Surely you can call me Avery.” His eyes took on a devilish look.
She danced into his arms, and he didn’t let her go until the end of the music. She wanted to dance with him forever.
“I didn’t know you were dancing in this production, Avery.”
He nodded and pursed his lips, but it was the devilish look in his eyes that made the portrait complete. “It’s a command performance, a request by the queen and Madame Camargo. Is your rehearsal over?”
He grabbed a linen from a nearby chair and wiped his face.
“No. I needed some fresh air.” She was annoyed with herself for letting Suzanne irritate her. Divas had a certain way of behaving, especially ones in training, and Suzanne had all the markings. The bright spot of her escape was seeing Avery.
“Suzanne?” He raised his eyebrows.
“How did you know?” Cosette was only half surprised.
“Suzanne can be difficult, especially when she’s threatened.”
“Threatened? By me?” She groaned in silence. If he was correct, the wrath of Suzanne hadn’t begun.
“Yes, she’s threatened by anyone who dances better than her.” He shook his head. “You better go back. Claude prefers his dancers to be on time. I’ll see you after rehearsal.”
Her heart pirouetted wildly on her way back to the rehearsal hall. She was eager to dance, but more eager for the day to be over.
The rest of the afternoon was pleasantly challenging. The choreography was intricate, and it took time for the new dancers to learn Monsieur Garnier’s interpretation. It was imperative that she keep focused on the dance, but each time the studio door opened, she looked up hoping for a glimpse of Avery.
He never came in or went past the door. How foolish. It was a casual remark. Something people said. Something he said. He didn’t have any intention of seeing her when rehearsal was over.
She pushed their chance meeting aside and gave her full attention to the dance. Her heart and soul went into the rehearsal. Determined not to be eliminated, she danced striving for perfection. It was an exhausting but exciting day. As everyone packed up to leave, she gathered her things.
“Did you have a good day?”
Caught off guard by Avery’s appearance, she looked up. Her mouth curved into a smile and her heart beat faster than it had during rehearsal. Then the realization struck, he had intended to see her all along.
“Yes. Tiring but definitely a good day.” Her heart pirouetted again. Ready to leave, she swung her dance bag over her shoulder.