He certainly didn’t want to gossip either. Alady who delighted in speaking ill of others would drive him toBedlam within the week. Why did others think they were so superiorthat they felt they could judge the actions of others?
Besides, how could he enjoy their companywhen Juliette was somewhere in London and he wouldn’t see her againuntil the day after tomorrow.
A footman passed and he placed his emptyglass on the tray. “I think I will leave.”
“But it is early yet,” his motherinsisted.
Acker lifted an eyebrow. “It is past midnightand this is the last waltz, if I remember correctly.”
“You haven’t danced.”
“I don’t wish to dance,” he insisted. Howcould he dance with anyone now? Waltzing with Juliette had ruinedhim for any other dance partners.
Damn and blast, why did he have to waitanother day to see her? Why wasn’t tomorrow, or actually today,good enough? Was she so busy that she couldn’t spare an hour of hertime? What kept her occupied?
“I wish you would forget about yourballerina,” his mother insisted, as if she knew who he was thinkingabout. “It isn’t as if you will ever see her again.”
Acker slowly smiled.
“What?”
His grin widened. “She is in London.”
She tapped his forearm with her fan. “Whydidn’t you tell me?”
“I haven’t had the chance,” he defended. Infact, until he escorted his mother this evening he had not spokenwith her since before he came across Juliette outside of DruryLane.
“Well?” she demanded.
“I’ve seen her twice, quite by accident. Ibelieve they recently settled in Covent Garden, though I am notpositive.”
“Go on,” she encouraged.
“I will see her the day after next.”
“Thank goodness,” his mother sighed. “Youwon’t even consider another young lady until you have decided whatthis Juliette means to you. And I am glad you have theopportunity.”
In that his mother was correct. What didJuliette mean to him and what did the future hold? What if thefuture was a more permanent one? “Mother,” Acker leaned in andwhispered so as not to be overheard. “I know you wish me to marry ayoung lady of the ton and give you the grandchildren youwish for, but what if I choose a ballerina instead.”
She placed a gloved hand against his cheek.“If you love her and she is what makes you happy, then you wouldhave my blessing.”
“Society will take issue with a ballerinabecoming the next Viscountess.”
His mother smiled. “Life is too short not tobe happy, and too long if one is miserable. Your friends will standby you, as will I. That is really all that matters.”
He should not be surprised by her response.Mother had been raised in a modest household, the daughter of avicar. It was her uncle that saw to her coming out. Despitemarrying a viscount and wealth, mother retained her moralsensibilities lacking in much of Society. “Thank you.” Acker bentto place a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “I will walk and leave thecarriage for you.”
He was glad to be rid of this place. He wasnever one to look forward to a ball, but he had never really mindedattending in the past either. Now they were a complete bore. Ackersuspected that until Juliette could join him he would never findenjoyment at these functions again.
He may have his support of mother, but thatdidn’t mean the ton would welcome Juliette. It was somethinghe would need to think very carefully about in the event she becamemore important than she already was, such as becoming his wife.
“They don’t need no more dancers,” the olderman grumbled and slammed the door in Juliette’s face. She steppedback and stared up at the Aldephi Theatre. The rude man didn’t evenask her name or if she had ever danced before. She doubted he evenknew if there was a place for her. His appearance was more of a manwho worked at the theatre fixing things because not only was hedirty, with smudges on his hands and face, but paint splattered hisclothing. Even if she had interrupted an important task, there wasno reason for him to practically bark at her. If that was how theywere going to be, she didn’t want to dance with this particularcompany anyway.
Maman had asked that she give up dancing andJuliette had even given it some consideration, but it wasn’tpractical. It was the only thing she could do well, besides teach.Who was to say one of her relations would view a ballet and makethe connection between her and maman? Her mother was simply beingoverly concerned, if not paranoid, which Juliette decided was dueto her illness. Once maman was better she would realize how sillyher request was that Juliette no longer dance.
Juliette huffed and took a step to returnhome. It was clear she would not be dancing in London, at least notat this time, which left one alternative. Juliette turned aroundand knocked on the door once again. The same disagreeable man withgreying hair opened the door.
“I told you there are no auditions or a needfor any more dancers.”
“I know,” Juliette said in the samedisagreeable tone that man was using with her. She then took a deepbreath to calm her irritation. “I am inquiring about schools ofdance. Where might I find them in London?”
“Perhaps you should have learned to dancebefore coming here.”
He pulled the door and Juliette grabbed itand held on. She was not about to leave until she had heranswers.
“I thought I would seek a positionteaching.”
The man rubbed his chin. “I don’t know aboutno schools. Never heard of any.”
Juliette took a step back. “Then where do allof your dancers train? There must be somewhere.”
The man shrugged. “Don’t know and don’tcare.”
She could only stare at him. Surely there wassomeone here with more or better knowledge. “Might I speak with thechoreographer?”
“He ain’t here.” With that the man slammedthe door again and Juliette knew better than to knock a third time.She was not going to learn anything further.
She stepped back out to the street and lookedaround. It was growing late and she should return home and preparethe evening meal. As she was the only one without a job at themoment, all of the household duties fell to her.
Hélène was entering just as Juliette returnedhome. Her
