“What brings you to Milan?” Hélène asked.
Acker shifted his attention to Hélène,thankful for the question and that an answer had been preparedprior to leaving London because he certainly could not tell anyonethe truth. “I am taking my grand tour.”
Genviève frowned with suspicion. “Aren’t youa bit old? Don’t Englishman participate in this practice as soon asthey finish their studies?”
Acker chuckled. “Most do, yes, but my fatherdied a month after I left school.”
“I am sorry,” Juliette offered withsympathy.
“This is the first chance I have gotten.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?” Hélène asked.
“Or stupid,” Genviève countered.
They had a point. He was an English lord,traveling to countries currently ruled by Napoleon. Many Englishdid not venture to the Continent because of the wars waged againstthe French dictator. “If I did not travel now, I may not haveanother chance.”
“Why? Do you have a fiancé waiting at home?”Genviève asked with interest.
Juliette also turned to look at him, thequestion in her eyes. Acker knew he had to answer carefully. “No, Ido not.” At least not officially since Eleanor had not yet agreedto be his wife and he wasn’t certain what role Juliette would fillin the future. “However, my mother is becoming more and moreinsistent that I take a bride.”
Genviève nodded as if she approved of hisanswer. Juliette bit her bottom lip and lifted her glass of wine.What was she thinking? Would the knowledge that he would soonreturn to England and marry keep her from agreeing to travel withhim? He would have to convince her that it was in her bestinterest. He could offer her so much more than the life of aballerina could.
He glanced across the room to Carlo, who hadoften stared at them throughout the meal. He could also give hermore than any dancer.
Though they had not agreed to meet, Acker waswaiting at the corner by the dance school for Juliette to be donewith her day. He watched and waited as the students left and whenno one else emerged from the building he ventured up the steps.Hopefully she would still be in the classroom and they couldcontinue where they had left off yesterday.
Before he reached the door it opened andJuliette stepped out into the bright sunlight. A smile lifted whenshe recognized him.
“I had hoped for another waltz.”
She laughed. “It is much too beautiful a dayto remain inside.” She stepped out and closed the doors behindher.
Acker buried the disappointment of not beinggiven the opportunity to seduce her. “Yet, it could rain again.”There were grey clouds gathering and would soon block the sun.
Juliette glanced to the sky and frowned.“Shall we enjoy it while we can?” She asked brightly.
As much as Acker wanted to haul her upstairsand finally make love to her, it was impossible to deny Julietteanything when her green eyes sparkled with happiness.
He offered his arm and she slipped her handinto its crook and together they strolled down the ancient streetsof Milan. At her touch, contentment settled around Acker. Wheneverhe was with her, all was right and he wanted nothing else. Was thishow it felt to be in love?
Love? He didn’t know her well enough to be inlove. Lust, yes. That was a perfectly acceptable emotion to feelfor a woman he had known for such a short time. Not love.
“Are you looking forward to your nextproduction?”
“Yes,” she answered happily, a smile upon herface. “Though I will miss this ballet when it ends, I am also readyfor something new and exciting.”
He hoped the new and exciting was him, andnot Promethius, which she would be dancing with Carlo. “WillCarlo also partner you in Promethius?”
Juliette frowned and thought for a bit. “I amnot sure. I don’t even know what part I will be dancing, if I amchosen.”
“Surely you will dance the lead,” Ackerinsisted.
She laughed. “There are other ballerinas inthe company with equal and even more talent, Lord Acker.”
“Drake.”
Juliette looked up at him. “Pardon?”
“My name is Drake and I wish you would callme by it.”
A blush stained her cheeks. “Very well,Drake.”
The sound of his name coming from her lipsstilled his heart for a moment before warmth spread through him.How could something so simple have such meaning?
“I’ve seen the other dancers,” he remindedher. “They are not nearly as talented or as graceful as you.”
The color in her cheeks brightened. “Thankyou.” She couldn’t meet his eyes and Acker wondered if Juliette hadbeen complimented so little it made her uncomfortable. Surely herdance masters and those in the troupe shared their admiration.Unless they were jealous.
“Have you and Carlo danced often together?”Why did he ask and why torture himself? Was this jealousy? He hadnever experienced the emotion before, yet he disliked the dancer.Carlo was with Juliette each night, his hands on her waist andarms, dancing from one end of the stage to the other, holding herwhen she collapsed and died at the end. He was her onstage loverand Acker feared Carlo wanted to be her partner off stage aswell.
“We first began dancing together two yearsago.”
He nodded. This was worse than hethought.
Clouds moved to block the sun. Julietteglanced up and frowned. “I so hoped they would go away.”
A drop of rain landed on her nose and it tookeverything in Acker not to lick it off. Instead, he tugged her ontoa narrow street and beneath a balcony. The rain let loose themoment they stepped beneath the shelter. Juliette laughed andleaned against the wall. “I should have heeded your suggestion andreturned to the classroom.” She looked around the small space thatsheltered them. “We can’t even waltz here.”
“But there are other activities we could doto pass the time.” Acker slipped his arms around her waist andpulled her against his body before lowering his lips to hers. Therewas no hesitation and Juliette’s arms slid about his neck andreturned his kiss with as much passion, if not more, than she hadthe day before.
Acker groaned and pulled her as close to hisbody as physically possible. Why hadn’t he insisted they remainindoors? If he had, they could be lying on the settee
