by Vera Quinn
The rest of the afternoon was challenging. The choreography was wonderful, but it took time to teach the moves to the new additions to the corps de ballet. Exhausted by day’s end, as she put her things together, Avery appeared at her side. He hadn’t forgotten.
“You look tired.”
“Yes, I am, but it’s a pleasant tired.”
“I’ll walk you home.”
“I don’t live far. Tuileries Palace.”
He feigned surprise. “You must be a visiting princess.”
That made her laugh as they left the studio.
“My parents serve the royal family.”
“And you?”
“A seamstress for her Majesty. Because I am an employee, I’m able to go to the ballets. Since I was a child, Madam Vinier, the housekeeper, permitted me to stand in the back. I loved the ballet so much, I would dance in our apartment. I knew I had to be a ballerina.”
“You will always be my princess and I, who have a history of knights in my family, magic druid ones, will be your knight and protector. To the end.” He put his hand over his heart as they walked along the palace garden wall.
“I am honored, Sir Knight.” She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle.
He stopped and held her shoulders. “No, my princess. It is I who am honored. Something happened when we met last night. I wish I could explain it. Destiny. We are meant to be together.”
Gauging from the light in his eyes, the determination in his voice, he was serious.
“I know,” her voice a whisper, “I felt it, too.”
They walked on, each in their own thoughts, until they reached the palace gates.
He took her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips. There was a maddening hint of arrogance about him and something else that drew her to him.
“Until tomorrow, princess.”
She slipped through the gate, her spirits soaring, ran to the door, then turned. He waved goodbye, then returned the way they came.
Rehearsal for the rest of the next week progressed. By her own design, she kept away from Suzette and her friends. They whispered about everyone, the people that had been there for years as well as the new dancers.
At night, rather than stay at the studio or socialize, Avery walked her back to the palace.
“The performance is tomorrow,” she said. “Claude told us we were ready.” They stopped at the gate.
She had been thinking about tomorrow, eager to dance, but afraid everything would come to an end and she would never see Avery again.
Cosette turned to say goodnight, but the passion in his eyes made her stop.
He took her in his arms and cupped her head with his hand.
“You are dear to me, princess.” He lowered his head.
Her heart beat like a timpani. She closed her eyes. Soft velvet lips covered hers. He pulled her closer. His kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl. She didn’t want him to stop.
He raised his mouth from hers, leaving her lips burning with fire, and gazed into her eyes.
They stared at each other for several heartbeats. She didn’t want to break the spell he cast. And it seemed neither did he. The eagerness to be with him didn’t subside. It grew stronger.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow will be here soon. I don’t want it to be the last time we’re together.”
“Neither do I.” Her voice was softer than a whisper.
Frantic was the only way to describe the activity backstage and behind the curtain. All the dancers on the stage patiently waited for their final instructions.
At the thunder of applause, Cosette peaked through the peephole in the curtain and observed the queen and Marie Camargo arrive in the box and take their seats.
“Gather round,” Avery told them. “All of you are well prepared. Let the music carry you away. Dance like you have never danced before. We are performing for our queen and Madam Camargo. Let’s give them a performance they will never forget.”
“Thank you, Avery.” The troop turned to Claude. “Places, please.”
Dancers hurried to the wings while others rushed to the room below the stage to wait to be called.
Her place was next to Suzette. “You know he is evil.”
“Who?” Cosette tried to be nonchalant.
“Avery. He plays sweet with all the new dancers. He’ll be all yours until the next new one joins the company. You and I didn’t start off well, but it pains me to see you getting hurt by him the same way he hurt me.”
The orchestra started. Did Avery toy with her? On cue, the curtain rose. The performance began.
Cosette was too busy concentrating to think about Avery, or notice the audience, the queen, or the prima ballerina. Her focus remained on her dancing.
The time sped by until the orchestra played the musical cue for her solo. She stepped forward and executed the first combination of steps without a flaw. As the music built so did her energy until she flew across the stage from a chassé to a deep plié, then rose from the stage floating in the air executing a grand jeté. The audience was on their feet. She landed and joined the rest of the corps de ballet and waited for the music in her head to fade.
The curtain came down and Avery pushed through the throng of people and stood by her side.
He didn’t have to say anything. His eyes said it all.
“You were wonderful,” Claude said. He glanced into the wing. “They’re here? Very well.” He turned back to her. “Queen Marie would like a few words.”
The queen with Madam Camargo and her entourage entered.
“I had to come behind the curtain to thank you all for your wonderful performance.” The queen motioned toward Madam Camargo.
“I, too, would like to thank you. Her majesty has given me a birthday gift I will never forget. Your dancing was superb. It made me regret I retired.”
The stage erupted with applause and cheers. Cosette couldn’t help but feel giddy. The closeness to the queen and Madam Camargo took her breath away.
Footmen came onto the stage carrying trays of champagne and made sure everyone had a glass.
“Please, lift your glass with me,” Queen Marie said and turned to her friend who received a bouquet from Avery. “Happy Birthday, Madam Camargo.”
“Hear, hear,” the group responded in unison.
“I want to thank everyone for your time and effort. You all worked hard. Make sure you see me tomorrow at my office. The queen would like to show you her gratitude,” Avery said.
“Hear, hear,” the crowd cheered.
Cosette glanced across the stage. Excited, more alive than she ever thought possible, all the hard work was forgotten. Only this moment existed. No worrying about the past, no anxiety about the future; this is what counted. She put her empty glass on a table in the center of the stage.
Her mind filled with possibilities and dreams. A path awaited her. There would be challenges and tears, but to be a dancer, a prima ballerina was worth it.
“Did you have a good day?” Her heart skipped a beat. Avery. Cosette turned.
“Madam Camargo,” she gasped and made a deep curtsy. Avery stood beside her.
“Please.” The famous dancer gave Cosette her hand and encouraged her to stand. “I stared at you the entire time and wondered how someone could achieve this level of dance. You glided across the stage, each movement executed perfectly and filled with emotions. And the audience. I couldn’t help but notice. They didn’t take their eyes off you. And when you did your grand jeté, everyone was as amazed as I was. It was breathtaking.”
“I told you, Madam. See how the color fades from her face. Our princess does not comprehend her accomplishment,” Avery said with a smile.
Every muscle of her body froze before a widening grin crept onto her face.
“Thank you, Madam,” Cosette said. “I attended your performance of the Pas De Menuet. I studied your footwork closely. You were wonderful.”
“My last performance
was in my shocking ankle-length skirt and little red slippers. I was very calculating. The shortened skirt and red slippers allowed the audience to see my footwork. Remember that.”
“It was magnifique!”
“You are kind. From what I saw this evening, you are magnifique, too. Avery, thank you for introducing me to your princess. She will be ballet royalty someday.” Madam Camargo pulled a flower from her bouquet and handed it to her. “To remember me.”
“Your highness,” Marie Camargo called, then to Cosette and Avery, “Please excuse me.”
“Was I dreaming?” she asked Avery who stood at her side.
“Not at all. Come, I’ll walk you back to the palace.”
They talked about the dance, each other’s performance, the queen, and Marie Camargo.
“Madam gave me a flower to remember her.” Cosette showed it to Avery, spinning the delicate red rose between her fingers like a pirouette. “As if I would ever forget speaking to her.”
She leaned against the gate, still in a trance from the evening.
“Cosette, I want you to train at the studio and apply for a permanent position with the ballet.”
“The corps de ballet?”
“It wouldn’t take long for you to become a principal dancer. Not after tonight. Madam Camargo already spoke to Claude and me.”
She pushed herself off the gate. “Do you really think I could? On my merit, not because of our relationship?”
“Solely on your merit.”
She gave him a quick kiss and opened the gate.
“We can discuss it tomorrow.” Another kiss on his lips, then she hurried to the palace door. One final wave and he was gone.
The music still played in her head as she quietly navigated the palace servant quarters and opened the door to her parents’ apartment. The candle still burned on the table.
“Did the evening go well?” her father asked.
Cosette closed the door.
“It was wonderful.” Twirling, she danced and put the rose on the table next to the candle. “The queen toasted us with champagne. Madam Camargo spoke to me and gave me this flower from her bouquet. It was a dream come true.”
“I’m glad you danced and had a good time. With that out of your system, we have things to discuss,” her father said.
“Not tonight. Let her enjoy her excitement,” her mother said.
“She said all went well. Besides, discussing this in the morning won’t be any easier.” He turned toward her. “I am glad you were a success. I had no doubt that you would do well. That said, we need to face the truth. Now is the time for you to settle down and marry.”
Marry? The idea sobered her at once.
“I spoke with the butler. His son—”
“Marcel? I have no interest in him.”
“That may be the case, but he is interested in you.”
She glanced at her mother, but her attention was on some crumbs on the table.
“Listen to me.” Her father stood, shaking his finger. “You want to dance. You think it is a glamorous life? You’d be at the mercy of the dance company. What if they don’t continue you?”
“And your position here? What if the butler decides—”
He turned away from her.
“Is that why you want me to marry Marcel? So, you can keep your job?”
“No. Not at all,” her mother said. “It’s your life we’re concerned about. A dancer’s career is short. What will you do when you can’t dance anymore?”
“I will teach dance. I can use my skills as a seamstress and make costumes. There is a lot I can do.”
“Cosette, you don’t know Marcel that well. Meet him, spend some time with him, then decide your course. Your security is important to us. That’s what your mother and I care about.”
Her mother gave her father a silent signal.
“You must be tired. Your mother and I stood in the back of the theatre. You flew through the air like a beautiful bird. I’m proud of you, but now it’s time to go to sleep. Everything will be clearer in the morning.”
Her mother handed her the rose. She went to her room, put it in a glass, and set it on the window ledge. The beautiful red bud hadn’t opened. It held so much promise.
She gazed at the bronze mirror frame covered with a patina and stared at the surface of the black-spotted glass where the silver was worn off. A pretty ballerina that danced hours ago for the queen and her guests stared back at her, but underneath the portrait in the mirror was a mixture of excitement, rage, and grief. She wanted to dance. She moved closer.
“Be honest with yourself, if no one else.” A heavy sigh left her lips. “You want Avery.”
Unable to look at herself a moment longer, she turned away, got undressed, and climbed into bed. The dream of dancing in the Paris Opera Ballet forgotten.
Marcel. The thought of the man made her shiver. Not that he was a bad man. He was pleasant looking, but he wasn’t Avery. Suzette’s words echoed in her head. Did Avery approach every new dancer and woo them? No. Avery was sincere. Go to sleep. Things will look better in the morning.
A ray of morning sunlight moved across the small window ledge and illuminated the rose bud standing tall in the glass. She dragged herself out of bed after spending the night tossing and turning.
Cosette did everything to keep herself busy and not think of her lost opportunities, dancing, and him. Unable to remove him from her mind, she left for the studio to decline his offer.
“Cosette.” Suzette stood by Avery’s office door. “Oh, don’t bother him. He asked that no one disturb him. It was nice meeting you. We must dance together again. I’m sure Claude will ask you back next year or so when the queen requests another performance.”
Suzette went into the rehearsal hall.
Cosette knocked on the office door.
“Suzette, I thought I told you—Cosette.” The serious slash of his lips tipped at the corners into a wide smile.
“You told everyone to see you today.”
“Yes, a gift from the queen. Come in. I want to work on a curriculum with you.”
“No. I can’t. I’m here to thank you for the offer. I thought it through and must decline.”
His smile faltered for a moment until it fell, and his twinkling eyes turned dull in disbelief.
“Why the change of heart? Last night you were so...” He came outside and closed the door behind him. “What is it, princess?”
“It was wonderful. The dancing, the queen, meeting Madam Camargo, and you.” She put her hand on his chest and held back tears. “Thank you for everything.”
Without another word, she turned and hurried out the door. The gift from the queen was not important, getting away from him was. Tears ran down her face as she went back all the way to the palace.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You danced. You have that to remember. And him. You will always remember him.
Once inside the palace she climbed the steps to the queen’s suite, went into her Majesty’s wardrobe, and began the mending. By the end of the afternoon, the return to her mundane routine dulled her mind enough to make it difficult to remember she danced at all.
Her needles and threads packed away for the day, Cosette folded the garment, slipped out the door, and went to the servants’ dining area.
“Cosette.” Marcel stood next to her.
“Hello. Did you have a good day?” The words froze on her lips. They were his words.
“Yes. May I sit with you?” She made room for him but didn’t want to sit with Marcel or anyone else.
He sat and went on and on talking about attending the king. She tried to be interested but could only pray that dinner would be over soon.
“I could walk you to your apartment,” he said the second time she yawned.
“Forgive me, Marcel. The week has been a strenuous one.” She stood to leave. He started to get up. “No, please, you stay. Finish your dinner.”
Before he could say another word, she left and
walked down the hall wondering how long it would take to forget Avery. By the time she entered the apartment, she had her answer. Never.
“You were at dinner with Marcel.” Her mother had a hopeful look on her face. “You were quiet.”
“He told me about his job for the king. It’s been a long day. I’ll be in my room.”
Cosette sat on her bed and stared at the red rosebud. It had opened a bit and was even more beautiful.
“Cosette.” Her mother knocked on her door. “Come quick.”
She opened the door. Across from her door, Avery stood with her father. Before she could ask why he was here, there was a movement by the door.
Cosette and her mother dropped into a deep curtsy. Her father bowed. Queen Marie entered.
“I asked Avery how you liked my gift. It disappointed me when he said you didn’t come for it. So, here I am to give it to you myself.”
The queen handed her a white silk cloth. Cosette went to the table and unfolded the material and gasped. She turned to the queen.
“Your Majesty. I have never... I don’t know what to say.”
The queen picked up the small ruby slippers on a velvet ribbon and tied it around Cosette’s neck.
“This is the first of many tributes you will receive.”
The queen stepped back. “I told Avery he must produce Les Caractères de la danse. It was the ballet that made Marie Camargo famous. He said you are the only one who can fill her shoes. It disappointed me again when he told me you will not be joining his school.”
“I appreciate your confidence, Your Majesty.” Cosette didn’t have any idea what to say.
“Then you will be at Avery’s studio tomorrow.” She started to leave. Helpless, Cosette turned to Avery.
“Your Majesty?” he asked.
The queen turned to Cosette’s parents. “You have a daughter with a talent the world should see. It must be nurtured, not neglected. She needs someone who knows how to develop her career, not a king’s footman.”
The queen’s words startled Cosette. She was speechless.
“Don’t look so surprised. Few things get past me. Marcel is a good young man, but not for you.” The queen turned to her mother. “Your daughter is special, beyond dancing. Cosette will make us both proud.”
