Dancing On Air (11 page)

Lisette burst onto the stage. The blue shirts of the princess costume swirled about her calves. Whether it was an effect of Mr Jack Preston’s review or the knowledge a new ballerina had been discovered at the Imperial, tonight the theatre was packed near to bursting. The music enveloped Lisette as she spun across the floor and into Charlie’s waiting arms. For an instant, she felt as light as the notes, as if she could almost float away.

Her eyes instinctively were drawn to the first theatre box and found Evander sitting on the nearest edge, smiling down at her. Spurred on by the music and the flutter in her heart she flowed into a
pas de chat
and was buoyed up by the applause and shouts from the stalls. The minutes slipped by and, before she knew it, she had sunk down into a deep curtsy. The crowd erupted and as she rose she was bombarded with a flurry of flowers thrown at her feet. Quickly, she scooped them up, but it was only the long stemmed pink rose that was tied with the satin ribbon that she brought up to her face and inhaled.

She stood with an armful of flowers, before curtsying once more. Looking up at Evander, she saw that he was once again on his feet and applauding loudly. She sent Evander a triumphant smile as Charlie escorted her from the stage.

As she ran off into the wings, she almost bumped into Florentia. It was unusual, as Florentia did not dance in the next scene and, up until now, had never bothered to watch it.

‘You danced that well, Lisette,’ Florentia said with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

‘Thank you, it is very kind of you to say so.’

‘I read the interview by Jack Preston. It appears you have an admirer. I am pleased for you. With hard work, one day you could be a principal dancer... One day,’ Florentia stressed.

Lisette could feel the thinly veiled animosity and did not understand why. Florentia had always been aloof, but now it was obvious that Lisette had somehow annoyed her. Ever since she was a child she had watched Florentia dance from the wings. Lisette had studied everything from Florentia’s form, skill and how she interpreted the music and applied it to her own dance. She had always admired her grace and had wanted to emulate her. ‘Thank you, one day I hope that I will be able to dance as you do.’

Florentia’s face softened and she linked her arm through Lisette’s. ‘Yes, yes, one day I’m sure that you shall but not quite yet. I have always been fond of you, ever since you came here as a child. Perhaps I should take you under my wing...yes? Just like a mamma bird. Perhaps you should be my protégé, perhaps we should announce that.’

‘That is very kind of you, Florentia.’

Florentia waved her hand as if to dismiss the thanks. ‘Think nothing of it. I think I shall go and speak to your aunt. A new world awaits you, but you need guidance. Yes, you shall be my fledgling bird.’

Lisette watched as Florentia unhooked her arm and hurried away.

Charlie had stepped off stage briefly and was waiting for his next entrance. He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Well my dear, you’ve put the blasted cat among the pigeons.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Florentia, of course. You’ve managed to scare her silly.’

‘How?’ Lisette asked as she stepped closer to him.

‘By dancing impeccably, my darling. You have managed to make Florentia feel old and insecure. I hope you are prepared for fireworks. She does always lash out when she feels threatened.’

‘But Charlie, I did not mean —’

‘Sorry lovey, it’s my cue,’ Charlie said quickly, before he stalked out onto the stage in a grand entrance.

Lisette was left standing alone. She watched the performance for a minute or two longer before turning away. The last thing she wanted was hostile feelings and cattiness. With a sigh, Lisette walked down the long corridors to the dressing room. How on earth could her dancing such a tiny part threaten London’s prima ballerina?

Marie’s mouth curled into a hard smile as Tinder Michaels walked back and forth in front of her desk.

‘I saw him tonight again,’ he said. His hands gestured in the air and his face was twisted in a frown. ‘He’s here in what has become his usual box.’

‘Who?’

‘That young man who has set his cap on Lisette,’ Tinder said as he glanced up at her. His eyes were shrouded in worry.

‘Really? And what did this young man look like?’ Marie held her breath and prayed it was a gentleman rather than a member of the rabble from the back of the stalls.

‘He is obviously a gentleman, as he dresses as one and sits in one of the theatre boxes. Not only that, this is the second night running he has been here.’

‘Which implies?’

‘That he has enough blunt to visit the theatre whenever he damn well wants.’

‘Really, Mr Michaels, you almost sound jealous and petulant,’ Marie said but her mind was already whirling with the possibilities.

She knew that Tinder had formed a soft spot for Lisette. Normally, Marie would have run with this snippet of information. She could push Lisette into a liaison with him; it could be beneficial for them both. However, Tinder may own the Imperial Theatre, but she knew that he had sunk his last penny into it. If something was to go wrong then he could lose everything. It was a gamble but the revelation that Lisette already had an admirer of quality… That was indeed interesting. Perhaps their fortunes lay in the silk covered bed of a gentleman rather than the precariously placed theatre owner. ‘I would not worry, Mr Michaels. As yet we do not even know if the two have spoken.’

Her words appeared to calm him...a little. ‘You think so?’

‘As far as we know, he has merely thrown Lisette a couple of roses. She may have a soft heart, just like her mother, but I assume it would take her more than that pretty gesture for her to lose her heart.’

‘Yes I suppose you are right. It’s just I would hate to see anything ill befall Lisette,’ Tinder said.

‘Which is very chivalrous of you. However with Jack Preston’s review and Lisette’s exposure, she is bound to get admirers. Florentia has been fighting back a sea of them for almost a decade. It is to be expected.’

‘Then you are not concerned?’ Tinder stopped pacing and looked at her. There was an element of surprise on his face.

‘Not in the least. Lisette may have a soft heart, but she is not a stupid girl. Her head will turn where I tell it to.’

‘Well, if that’s all you have to say, I suppose I will...’ Tinder’s voice trailed off as a firm knock sounded at the door.

‘Enter!’

The door swung open to reveal Florentia. Her look of determination was quickly replaced with surprise as her eyes settled on Tinder.

‘Oh, forgive me. I did not realize that you are busy,’ Florentia said as she stepped into the room.

Marie bit down a snort. As usual, Florentia saw herself as the most important one there. She may have disrupted a meeting but she would never meekly withdraw. Instead she flounced her way up to the desk, causing Tinder to step aside.

‘Do come in, Florentia. Mr Michaels and I had just finished our business,’ Marie said.

For an instant, Tinder seemed lost for words, but he quickly gathered himself. ‘Yes, quite... If you will excuse me, ladies, I have duties that must be attended to,’ he said as he inclined his head and gave them a bow.

‘Why of course. Thank you, Mr Michaels. We will continue this conversation at a later date,’ Marie said.

Florentia waited until he had left Marie’s office, shutting the door firmly behind him.

‘I watched Lisette dance tonight. I have to say that she did a fair job of it.’

‘Fair?’

‘Oh, very well. She was more than fair. The girl was very, very good. She has nice lines and one day will make a beautiful principal dancer,’ Florentia said as she sat down in the nearest chair.

‘Yes, I believe that she will. That is what we have always worked towards,’ Marie said as she leaned on her desk, her eyes scrutinizing Florentia’s every move. It was a look that she had perfected over the years; a look that always managed to have its recipient squirming with discomfort. ‘What is it that you want?’

Florentia fidgeted and adjusted her skirts. ‘I was thinking that I should take Lisette under my wing, so to say. Perhaps with my tutelage she will be able to manage the rising fame that will be her career.’

Marie sat back and grinned. ‘You fear her. You fear that your career will soon be over and will be eclipsed by Lisette.’

Florentia’s cheeks flushed red. ‘I did not mean that at all. I meant to be kind; to be there as support. I would have welcomed such an offer when I first started.’

‘Very well, Florentia. I shall accept that this was given with the best intentions and we shall see. Thank you,’ Marie said.

‘You do not wish to address it further?’

‘Not now,’ Marie said as she looked at the small carriage clock on her desk. ‘Not wanting to meddle in your affairs, but is it not almost time for your next scene?’

‘Soon,’ Florentia said as she rose out of the chair. ‘Goodbye Marie.’

‘Florentia,’ Marie said, but she kept on walking..

With more self control than she thought she possessed, Marie waited for Florentia to shut the door before she allowed herself the luxury of falling back in her chair and laughing as hard as she could. Silly woman. She was so transparent. Of course she was threatened by Lisette. Marie grabbed her walking stick and pushed herself up from her chair. She winced and the pain shot through her knee. She stood still and tried to steady herself, then, she walked painfully to the door. She must secure Lisette’s future — their future — before accident or injury took Lisette’s career. With that on her mind, Marie decided to go down to the stage. The performance would finish soon and she wanted to take a peek at this young gentleman.

Lisette walked up the narrow stairs from the
corps de ballet
dressing room; she would be glad to step outside the theatre tonight. The gaslights had made the air hot and dry and Lisette wanted to feel the cold, damp air of London on her face. As she walked behind the actual stage, she passed Florentia’s and Charlie’s dressing rooms. The sound of raised voices floated through the air. With a shake of her head, Lisette realized that they were having another spat. The two leads fought and argued as if they were children.

‘Just make sure you hit the beat... One, two, three and then leap.’

‘Oh, as if you know anything about beats, Charlie Evans!’

‘Well, I can’t be expected to catch you if you miss your cue!’

‘I didn’t miss the cue. You were late! If you can’t remember the choreography maybe it’s time you retired.’

‘Bitch! ‘

Lisette wondered how the two of them had managed to dance together for so long. The sound of the ongoing argument faded as she walked past several of the stagehands securing the ropes and the scenery flies for the evening. One man shouted instructions as they hauled on the ropes. There was a clatter as one of the hands knocked over one of the candelabras from the castle scene. The boy gave her an apologetic smile as he scrambled to pick it up.

As she picked her way through the rocks and trees of the magic forest, Lisette came face to face with Mary, the wardrobe mistress. She was a small woman of about thirty and had worked at the theatre for several years. Tonight most of her body was obscured by the large armload of costumes she carried.

‘Ah Lisette, you were quite marvellous tonight.’

‘Thank you, Mary. Would you like me to help you with those?’

‘No, I have them, but thank you. Those girls of the chorus, eh — always snagging and pulling on their costumes. I swear it will take me until midnight to put these to right!’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

Mary shrugged but the movement was lost beneath the mound of tulle. ‘Ah well, we do what we must. Goodnight Lisette. Have a good evening.’

‘Thank you Mary. Goodnight,’ Lisette said as Mary hurried away.

The noise of voices grew with every step Lisette took. As she neared the stage door she found that the majority of the company were milling about.

She wove her way through the bodies until she stood near the stage door. Tonight for some infuriating reason, the company lingered and wanted to talk and congratulated each other longer than usual. She had hoped that the theatre would be near deserted by now, but it was not to be. A crowd of dancers seemed to want to congregate around her.