He nodded. “King’s Theatre has plans ofperforming Adolfo E Chiara in May.”
Hope surged.
“I am not sure if each part has beencast.”
She would beg, plead and do almost anythingfor a chance to dance. “Thank you,” she cried.
“The Adelphi Theatre has also been known toproduce ballets each Season.”
“I will go to King’s Theatre right thismoment.” Juliette turned and started to hurry away.
“Wait!”
She turned.
He seemed studied her again. “Why are yourunning away? I’ve searched for you.”
There was a painful squeeze to her heart. Ifonly she could trust he wanted more from her, but she knew it wasnot so. Especially now that they were in London. They were ofdifferent worlds. His being a lord was more important here than ithad been in Milan. She was simply a ballerina and not of hisclass.
“I must find work, Lord Acker.” She narrowedher eyes so he understood her meaning. “Honest, respectable work.”She turned and called over her shoulder. “Good day.”
Acker watched Juliette hurry toward thestreet. His heart still had not returned to its normal rhythm andhe found himself grinning. Juliette Mirabelle was in London and shewished to dance.
Her emerald green eyes had held himtransfixed for a moment. She was all that he had thought about fornearly a year and suddenly she was before him.
What brought her to London and why had hejust let her get away from him?
Clearly she was still angry with him and hecould not blame her. In retrospect the offer had been insulting. Hedidn’t know his own mind or his heart then. And, he no longer gavea bloody damn for the tons opinion. He wanted Juliette andhe was going to get her.
He should go after her. Acker took a steptoward the direction of King’s Theatre but his carriage pulled upat the curb. Blast, he had a meeting at the Home Office thisafternoon. If it were any other administrative meeting, Acker wouldforego it and go after Juliette, but such was not the case.Napoleon may have abdicated and agreed to exile in Elba, but nobodywould rest easy until he was settled there, under heavy guard, andno longer in a position to gather troops and wage war. Even thoughthe former emperor would be confined to the island, England wouldtake no risks and plans were underway for the Royal Navy to patrolElba should Napoleon decide he wished to rule a large piece of landagain.
With one last look at the retreating back ofJuliette, her pale green skirt swishing as she hurried down thestreet, Acker entered his carriage. He would find her again. If hehad to scour the entire city, he would find her.
Juliette didn’t have far to travel as all thetheatres in London were fairly close to one another. Her handsstill shook after coming so close to Lord Acker. He was far morehandsome than she remembered. If only she could forget himaltogether then she wouldn’t be plagued by the dreams and ache withlonging. But why should she long for him, he only wanted her towarm his bed. Why was she the only one who had partially fallen inlove?
She blew out a breath, angry with herself.What did she know of love? He was simply a gentleman who showed hera great deal of attention, more than she had received from any manpreviously. She had been foolish enough to fall for his charm,thinking he cared for her too. He only wanted in her bed.
The knowledge didn’t make the pain any lessand Juliette vowed to put him from her mind and heart and hopefullyshe would not see him again.
Her steps slowed. But, he would know where tofind her, if she was able to secure a dancing role. Perhaps sheshould concentrate on acting and have Hélène disguise her so Ackercouldn’t recognize her. She could even change her name. Manyactresses did.
There was also the chance he was no longerinterested. It had been a year. What if he had married?
Oh, that was too painful to think on and shedismissed the idea.
She would dance, hopefully. It didn’t matterif Acker could find her or not. She was not giving up her passionfor any gentleman. If he chose to pursue her again, she would bewiser this time and not give him a moment of her time.
Mind made up, Juliette lifted her chin andmarched toward the stage door of the King’s Theatre. She gave itthree sharp raps and waited. It was opened within a fewmoments.
“Have the auditions already been held forAdolfo E Chiara.”
The larger man frowned down at her.“Yes.”
That one simple word made her want to cry.“Will there be ballets in the future and will there beauditions?”
“Who is inquiring?” An older man came to thedoor. He was thin and of average height with dark hair greyingaround the temples.
“Juliette—“
“—Mirabelle,” he finished for her, grabbingher hand and pulling her inside the back of the theatre.
“Do I know you?” She didn’t think she knewanyone in London, other than her mother and sisters of course, andnow Acker, and wouldn’t she remember this man? His features werestriking, though he was a quite a bit older than she.
“I saw you dance in Milan.”
Heat stole into her cheeks. She had becomeaccustomed to those in Italy recalling her name. At least those intheir small dancing community. It warmed her that someone inEngland knew who she was.
“You were magnificent. Who did you trainunder?”
“Pierre Gardel until I was eighteen—.”
“—Ah, that explains your accent,” the maninterrupted. “You are originally from Paris.”
“Yes, but my family moved to Milan.”
“Obviously, you continued to dance.”
“Yes, under Salvator Viganò, and I wish tocontinue, now that my family has moved to London.”
The man frowned and Juliette tried not to letthe disappointment consume her.
“The company is already set for theseason.”
“It is what I feared.”
“However, if something were to happen to aballerina, I would like to know where to find you.”
Though Juliette hated if anyone was injuredand would never wish it on another dancer, in this instance noinjuries could very well mean she might not dance this year.Unfortunately injuries happened all too often if a dancer
