Dancing On Air (5 page)

‘Very well, sir — I follow your lead,’ Evander said as he gave a slight bow. ‘You know Lisette?’

‘Since she was a little girl. Now, I seem to recall...’ but his sentence trailed off as a couple appeared in the hallway. He turned and held his finger to his lips and gave Evander a wink. The couple swept past them without a glance, but he waited until they had stepped out into the street before he allowed Evander to move. ‘I hope you took notice of that lady.’

‘Yes...but why?’

‘She’s Lisette’s aunt and guardian. Madame Devoré is the ballet mistress of the Imperial. She is a formidable woman and would not want you hanging about little Lisette,’ he said as he hobbled down one hall and then abruptly turned down another.

‘She objects to Lisette having admirers?’

‘Well, I don’t know. It’s never happened before. But I do know that she drives that girl almost to exhaustion. Madame Devoré trains Lisette to be a prima ballerina. And I would imagine that she wouldn’t want her head filled up with romantic notions.’

‘Then why would you take me to her?’ They turned another corner and Evander was beginning to wonder how long it would take him to find his way out.

‘Because, of everyone in this forsaken theatre, Lisette needs happiness.’ He stopped and rapped hard upon the nearest door. When he received no answer he turned the handle and opened the door. ‘It appears we are too late. Look, the chorus room is empty.’

‘So she has already left?’

The old man shrugged. ‘I did not see her leave...but...’

‘Will you tell me where she lives?’

‘No, I will not. Maybe Lisette will not wish to see you.’ He pulled the door shut. ‘Perhaps you will have better luck another night, my young friend.’

‘Tommy, is everything all right?’

Evander looked up and saw Lisette standing there. She was dressed in the same thin, grey dress and shawl as he had seen her in that afternoon. And Evander believed he had never seen anything more beautiful. Their eyes met and time appeared to lag.

‘Well Lisette, this young gentleman wanted to see you.’

‘Thank you, Tommy, for bringing him down.’

The old man gave her a toothy smile before he started to turn away. He hesitated, looked back and added, ‘I thought you may have already left. I saw your aunt leave with that Lord de Vale. Do you need someone to see you home? I do not want you walking these streets by yourself.’

‘I will escort Miss Lisette home,’ Evander said before she could answer. ‘It would be my privilege.’

Tommy eyed him with a steely glare. ‘Perhaps...but you know where I am, if you need me, Lisette.’

‘Yes, thank you Tommy. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’

Tommy walked away, leaving Evander staring at Lisette. The moment dragged on and for the first time in his life, Evander was lost for words.

‘Is that for me?’ Lisette asked as she pointed to the pink rose he was holding.

‘Oh, yes... Sorry.’ Evander handed the bloom to her. ‘I didn’t know what sort of flowers you liked.’

‘It’s beautiful, thank you.’ She held the rose beneath her delicate nose and inhaled its perfume.

‘You have been in my thoughts all day. Since we met your beauty has haunted me.’

Lisette arched an eyebrow. ‘Pretty words indeed, sir, but we have yet to meet.’

Evander cleared his throat. He was acting like a green schoolboy, instead of a grown man. ‘Forgive me, I am Lord Evander Gainswith and it is a pleasure to meet you.’ Evander bowed before her.

Lisette dropped into a curtsy. ‘I am Miss Lisette Devoré.’

She extended her hand. Evander took it and brought it to his mouth. His lips tingled from the contact of her smooth skin. ‘I am forever your servant.’

‘Forever is a long time, my lord.’

‘Not long enough, where you are concerned,’ he said as he straightened.

‘Flattering words indeed, Lord Gainswith. Thank you again for the flower but it is time I went home.’

‘Then I shall accompany you.’

‘No, we shall say goodnight.’

Evander was taken aback. Women were generally not in the habit of refusing him. ‘I would see you safely home.’

‘That is kind, my lord, but unnecessary,’ she said as she inclined her head.

‘But —’

‘Goodnight, Lord Gainswith.’ Lisette gave him a smile before she turned away.

‘Very well, Miss Devoré. Until our next meeting.’

Lisette’s footstep echoed on the slick cobblestones as she walked down the narrow alley. London was a city of contrasts. Only a few streets away, the gaslights illuminated the bright theatres, including The Imperial, and expensive restaurants of the West End, where the rich dined, laughed and found amusement. But past the lights, in the cloying darkness, another city thrived; a city full of violence, want, hunger and above all, desperation. This was the world Lisette had grown up in. She was lucky, as she had been sheltered by the theatre and its ragtag family, but as she passed a thin and shivering prostitute she was reminded how precarious all their lives were. As Lisette neared she saw that the woman was younger than she first appeared. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her penny and placed it in the woman’s hand. The girl’s eyes widened in surprise, ‘God bless you, luv.’

Lisette smiled and nodded as she walked on. ‘And you.’

The narrow laneway known as Beggar’s Mews was dark and still. The tall buildings stood together in a long row, the occasional lamp light shone weakly through the tattered windows. There was an ever-present sense of despair — it hung over the ramshackle buildings like a winter’s cloak. She raised her eyes and could see her rooms in the farthest corner on the last house. A dull light burned and she could make out the silhouette of her aunt as she walked across the three tiny rooms they shared. Wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders, Lisette suppressed a shudder.

‘Are you cold, girl?’ Tommy asked as he hobbled beside her.

‘No, no I’m fine. Thank you for walking me back.’

‘No need for thanks, it’s only two blocks from the theatre. Although I suspect that fine peacock of a lord wanted the honour.’

‘He did seem a little shocked when I refused him.’

‘And a good thing you did. You’re a lady, Lisette, and never forget it.’

‘I fear I am far away from being a lady. Tommy, you know that I don’t even know who my father is.’

‘Maybe you don’t, but I wager he was a fine gentleman.’

‘That is something we will never know. But gentleman or not that still does not make me a lady. Nor does it make me a soiled dove of the night either,’ she said.

Lisette was confused. Part of her was flattered that such a handsome young lord would pay her attention, but she was also almost annoyed that Lord Gainswith strolled into the theatre and expected her to leave with him. As if a few pretty little comments would make her instantly lose her head and fall into his arms.

‘Oh child, the boy was smitten by your beauty. He was not thinking straight.’

‘Hmm, I’ve yet to be convinced. I believe Lord Gainswith may be a spoiled young man who is accustomed to woman falling at his feet.’

‘Well, be that as it may, I see that you still carry his token,’ he said as he pointed to the pale pink rose in her hand.

‘I could hardly let it go to waste.’

Tommy chuckled but said nothing.

Lisette slowed her pace and then stopped. Standing on tiptoes she reached up and gave Tommy a kiss on his lined cheek. ‘I’ll be alright from here.’

‘I’ll wait until you go in,’ the old man said as he crossed his arms.

‘Goodnight Tommy,’ she said before she ran across the remaining distance. A thin metal staircase clung to the outside of Lisette’s building. Quickly, she scaled the first flight to the landing, then the second and the third storey. Finally, when she reached the highest landing, she paused and caught her breath. Then she waved down at Tommy in the shadowed lane below. A slender wooden door with large panes of glass opened straight into the tiny room that was hers. She turned the handle and slipped into the bedroom.

‘Is that you, Lisette?’

‘Yes, Aunt,’ she called as she pushed the large bolt across the door. She was about to follow her aunt’s voice when she remembered the rose. She doubted that her aunt would be happy that she had an admirer and explaining it would just toss up too many questions. Quickly, she slipped it down the side of her narrow bed.

‘I thought you would go to Benny’s with the others,’ Marie called out from the room beyond.

‘No, I did not feel like it. I stayed and put the girl’s costumes to right.’

‘Come in here! I do not wish to shout through the walls.’

‘Sorry Aunt,’ Lisette said.

She took a deep breath and walked into the small sitting room. It was furnished with a velvet, plum-coloured chaise longue. It was covered in soft, deep amethyst and blue cushions. Some were silk, others velvet and all trimmed with silver braid. All had been at one time or another part of the props department of the theatre. Opposite the chaise sat a small chair. A long piece of lilac-coloured fabric was draped artistically over its back, mainly to hide its worn seat. A large Roccoco screen hid the tiny wood stove and dresser in the corner of the room. The screen was the newest acquisition into the Devoré household. It had magically appeared the evening before Tinder Michaels was to take possession of the theatre. Three large rugs of varying sizes and designs covered the floorboards. On the far wall hung a large oil painting of a pastoral scene in an ornate gilt frame and, to the left, the window was swathed in an enormous silk embroidered shawl. The first impression of the room was one of opulence but on second glance it was easily seen that each object was worn and faded. In fact there was not one piece in the entire flat that had not been in the glare of the footlights or at least been part of the Imperial Theatre.

Lisette’s footsteps were muffled as she crossed the room by the Arabian style carpets. She sank onto the wooden chair, careful not to dislodge the lilac velvet.

‘I thought you would be later. I heard that the chorus were all going to Benny’s for supper,’ Marie said as she reached down to a small hexagonal table and picked up a delicate teacup.

‘I needed a little solitude. I stayed back and tidied up the dressing room,’ Lisette said. It wasn’t a total lie. She had tidied the room a little, but that was before she had gone upstairs and overheard the alarming conversation between her aunt and Lord de Vale.

‘Hmm, the tea in the pot is fresh and there is a slice of pork pie.’ Marie took a sip of her tea before she replaced the cup back onto the table.

‘Thank you.’ Lisette started to get up off the chair when her aunt held up her hand.

‘Wait, before you eat I have something to discuss with you.’

Lisette settled back and eyed her aunt with interest. For an instant she prayed that she was not the object of Lord de Vale’s attention. But as soon as the idea flitted into her head she dismissed it. No one ever paid her any attention. Well, at least that had been the case until tonight. ‘Is there something amiss, Aunt Marie?’

‘No, no...not at all. Bessie has a very small part in the ballet. Do you know the steps?’

‘I think so. Her entrance is just before the chorus. I usually watch most of the performance from the wings,’ Lisette answered.

‘Good. Tomorrow we shall go over the routine, just to be sure.’

‘Is there something wrong with Bessie?’

Marie raised her head and gave Lisette a hard look. Lisette held her breath for an instant. It was the same look her aunt always wore when she was about to lash out. But miraculously the storm appeared to pass and Aunt Marie almost gave her a slight smile.

‘No, it was just that I was thinking...well, Bessie is flighty and I thought someone should know her part.’

‘Of course, Aunt Marie. I will make sure I know her steps by tomorrow night.’

Marie nodded. ‘Excellent. Take your pie and off to bed. We shall start early in the morning.’

Lisette stood up and gave her aunt a little nod but she had already been dismissed, as Marie had picked up a book from the table and started reading. As she walked past the ornate screen, Lisette stopped, picked up a tin mug, and filled it halfway with the strong tea from the pot. Then she snatched up the pie and headed back towards her room.

‘Goodnight, Aunt Marie.’

‘Hmm...yes,’ she said, but did not bother to look up.