Those in the park began to disperse andJuliette jumped to her feet. “I must go. I cannot return homelate.”
Acker stood as well. “At least let me escortyou home.”
Juliette was already shaking her head andbacking away. “No, you cannot. Mother would be furious if she knewI met with you.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Why?”
“I am not to have contact with any gentlemanwithout her express approval.” She winced and bit her bottom lip.“And never an Englishman.”
He couldn’t help himself but chuckle. “Oneday you will have to learn why she dislikes us so much.” Since thewoman was more French than English, that could be reasonenough.
“Thank you for the lovely afternoon,” shesaid as she turned away.
“Wait,” Acker called before she could getfurther away. “When can I see you again?”
She turned and a beautiful smile formed onthose luscious lips. “Tomorrow, at the same place and time. I willbe done with lessons by then.”
Juliette buried her nose in the fragrantarrangement that had just been delivered. After meeting Acker shehad not expected another bouquet.
“More flowers from your admirer?”
She turned to find Carlo Pavoin standing justinside her doorway. He had partnered her on stage many times overthe past few years and danced opposite her in this production.“Yes, aren’t they beautiful?”
Carlo did not return her smile. “He is theone who accompanied you last evening?”
Normally Juliette would have taken a seat atthe same table as Carlo but because Acker was with her last nightshe did not.
“Yes,” she hesitantly answered. Would he tellher mother?
Carlo crossed his muscular arms over hisbroad chest and leaned back against the wall. “You mother has beenvery explicit in not allowing you to meet gentlemen outside of thetheatre. Nor does she allow you to be courted by anyone within thetheatre.
“That is true.” Juliette bit her lip andlooked down. “Not that anyone has wished to court me so it hardlysuffices.”
“Has she changed her mind?” His tone wasquiet and when Juliette looked back up, his dark brown eyes boreinto hers.
“No.”
He smirked and raised an eyebrow. “So, youhave finally decided to defy her.”
Juliette took a step forward. “Please, do notsay anything to Maman.”
Carlo studied her face as if assessing her.“Be careful, Juliette. You are not of his world.”
“I know.”
He grasped her hand in his. “He will onlyhurt you.”
“You do not know that,” she insisted.Besides, she barely knew Acker and had spent very little time withhim. After tomorrow, she might not see him again.
“Remember where you belong.”
Where did she belong? Born in England, raisedin France and now dancing in Italy. Was it too much to hope for apermanent home somewhere? A house she could live in for more than ayear? For as long as she could remember, they never stayed long inone place, as if her mother were hiding from someone, which wasridiculous.
“Your family is here,” he continued. “I amhere.”
“But sometimes I want more. I can’t danceforever.”
His eyes darkened to an almost black and hishand came up and he caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I’ve wantedmore as well.” His voice was deeper than usual. Juliette wasn’tsure what to make of Carlo at the moment. He was her friend, a verydear friend. Was he simply watching out for her as if he were abrother? She had always wished for an older brother, but that wasimpossible. It was nice to have someone she trusted fulfilling thatrole.
“Dine with me this evening.”
As much as she would like to speak with Carloand perhaps gain some advice, she could not. “I am sorry, but Ipromised Maman that I would come home directly after theperformance.”
His eyes narrowed. “And what of your admirer?What if he were to ask?”
Juliette frowned at Carlo. Why did he seempossessive all of a sudden? “I would tell him the same, ofcourse.”
Carlo’s features softened. “At least let meescort you home. Your sisters are not here this evening.”
Juliette was relieved by his offer. “Thankyou.” She did not like to walk home alone at night. It alwaysseemed safer with her two sisters, but by herself it wasfrightening. She could always hire a carriage, but it seemed such awaste when she didn’t live far away.
The manager stepped inside the room andannounced that it was time to take their places. Carlo continued tostare down at her. Were his eyes focused on her lips?
Abruptly he turned and walked away.
Juliette could only stare after him. He wasacting strangely this evening. But, Carlo’s moods often changedwith the wind. One moment he could be warm and caring and the nextyelling and tossing things about. She never knew what set him offinto his fits of frustration.
She returned to her dressing table andquickly penned a note to Acker thanking him for the flowers andthat she would not be able to remain at the theatre tonight but shelooked forward to meeting him tomorrow.
Acker sat alone and watched Juliette dance.Until he had actually met her, he made a point of never attendingby himself so as not to appear odd. Now he didn’t care. He wouldsit alone night after night if he could, just to watch her graceand beauty.
Would she wait for him this evening? Wouldthey supper together? Would she insist a sister be present?
No, he dismissed. She met with him alonetoday so she certainly cannot view him as dangerous. Nor couldJuliette have a protector or she wouldn’t have met with him.Besides, if she was another man’s mistress, she would not need toteach or live with her mother and sisters. If she belonged to him,Juliette would be able to have her days free of students and onlydance at night.
What was he thinking? Juliette would neverbelong to him. Her life was in Milan and his in England. He had buta short time remaining in Italy and he wanted to spend everypossible free moment with Juliette.
Would they become lovers before he left, orwould the relationship remain platonic?
How could he return home not having lovedher? The desire that coursed through his veins for the seductiveballerina was unparalleled. He had never longed for any woman
