The same man who always danced with Juliettelifted her and then they bent, much as lovers would do. What Ackerwouldn’t give to be able to touch Juliette with such familiarityand anywhere he wished. The couple turned and Acker anticipated thenext lift. He knew the ballet by heart having watched it so manytimes. Except this time, instead of grasping Juliette’s narrowwaist, the man’s hands slipped and slid up, stopping to cup herbreast. Few could see this mistake, only those sitting near Ackerbecause of the angle toward the back of the stage.
Juliette stilled and her eyes slightlywidened. Acker held his breath waiting to see what would happennext. He had never seen the two make a mistake before, especiallyone that could halt the choreography.
Juliette drew her arms above her head andspun away from the man. He approached and grasped Juliette’s waistagain. When he lifted, he looked toward Acker, his eyes cold andhard. It lasted but a moment and the two dancers were backexecuting the moves as if there had been no alteration in theoriginal choreography.
Acker narrowed his eyes, continuing to watchthe couple. The pure hatred in the partner’s eyes was unsettlingand Acker had a deep rooted suspicion that the male dancer had justmade his claim on Juliette. The mistake in the dance had beenintentional and the touch spoke of familiarity.
If the two were a couple, or even lovers, whyhad Juliette supped with him last evening, walked with him todayand agreed to meet with him tomorrow? Was the dancer pursuing herand Juliette had rejected him? Or, were they former lovers and theman didn’t wish her to have another? Or, was Juliette using Ackerto make the dancer jealous?
Acker stewed over the possibilities until theperformers took their final bow. He would give Juliette a moment tochange her clothing and then he would find out what the male dancermeant to her and if he was going to cause difficulties in Acker’spursuit.
Juliette turned to Carlo the moment they leftthe stage. She let her mask of a smile fall and now stared at him,dumbfounded and angry.
“I apologize, from the depth of my heart,”Carlo insisted before she could say anything.
Juliette narrowed her eyes on him. It wasn’tlike Carlo to make such a drastic error. His hands had not slippedsince they first started dancing together. Then it was getting usedto the movement of the other and learning the timing of the stepsand lifts.
“You had a firm grip on my waist. Why did youlet go?” she demanded.
He opened his mouth yet no words cameout.
Had it been intentional? Had Carlo meant tograb her breast instead of lifting her? Heat flooded her face andJuliette wasn’t certain if it was from embarrassment or fury.
“I had a pain,” he said quickly.
Juliette tilted her head and studied him. “Apain?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “It was short and quickthrough my wrist but I feared lifting you at that moment.”
Juliette narrowed her eyes again.
“I did not mean to touch you in such amanner, but you moved at the same time as I.” He grasped her hands.“I am so sorry.”
She continued to study him. Carlo was aprofessional dancer and he did seem truly upset over the incident.Besides, why would he wish to alter the dance? Mistakes such asthat could ruin his career.
“Let us forget about it.” She smiled at him.“But, tell a physician. I don’t wish to be dropped next time.”
He grinned, much like a bashful schoolboy. “Ipromise.”
Juliette shut the door to her dressing roomand quickly removed her costume and put on a walking dress. Carlohad made a mistake and that was all. He meant nothing by touchingher in such a manner. Besides, even if he wished to do so, hewouldn’t have grasped her breast in front of an audience.
She stilled. Had Acker seen what happened?Would she need to explain or would he even mention it? Mostgentlemen would not but she really didn’t know him all that well.Besides, there was a very good chance he hadn’t noticed. The handthat slipped had been away from the audience. If anything, Ackerprobably noted a slight change in the choreography.
When Juliette emerged from her dressing room,Carlo was waiting to escort her home. He glanced anxiously aroundthe backstage area quickly filling with patrons. She moved towardthe back entrance and Carlo settled his hand at the small of herback. Though he didn’t push, there was pressure, steering herthrough the crowd.
“We mustn’t be late,” he insisted.
“Of course.”
They emerged into the darkened alley andCarlo offered his arm. Juliette simply stared at it. He had neverdone so before, but she slipped her hand through the crook and heturned toward the street and began walking at a quick pace. Oncethey were away from the theatre Carlo slowed his steps, for whichJuliette was grateful. If they had walked any quicker they wouldhave been running. Why had he been in such a hurry? Did he haveplans after he delivered her to her doorstep?
“I apologize. I wanted to be away from thecrowds.”
Carlo hated it when the back of the theatrefilled with those who had attended. Sometimes the crush made italmost impossible to move, not that she remained all that oftenherself. If she didn’t sup with her sisters, her mother requiredher home immediately.
“We have only a few more performances,” hereminded her.
Though she had danced this ballet dozens oftime she was not growing tired of it as she normally did. Juliettewondered how much it had to do with Acker sitting in the audienceand the flowers he sent. Or, it could simply be she loved thebeauty of the choreography.
“Have you told your students they will needto find another teacher?”
Juliette glanced up at Carlo. “Why would Ineed to do so?”
He stopped and turned toward her. “Did Viganónot speak with you? Is he not using you in his next ballet?” Worrymarred Carlo’s brow.
Oh, how could she have forgotten? Viganówanted them to work on Prometheus. “I had forgotten.”
Carol’s shoulders relaxed as if he wasrelieved and he once again turned and
