Beauty from Ashes: Authors & Dancers Against Cancer Anthology

by Vera Quinn

  “Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe she will.” Her mother’s pride shone on her face.

  “I’m off.” The queen marched out the door. “Tomorrow, Cosette. At the studio,” she called over her shoulder. As fast as the queen arrived, she was gone.

  This morning wasn’t gray. This morning was a brilliant red orange. This morning Cosette came down the street and entered the dance studio. She peeked into the rehearsal hall. Claude motioned for her to come in. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, glad Avery wasn’t there. Suzette’s words still swirled in her head. As much as it pained her, she needed to sort that out. She slipped on her dance shoes and spent the day with the dancers and Claude learning the choreography.

  “That will be all for today, ladies and gentlemen.” Claude went over to Cosette.

  “I’m glad you joined us.” Claude gathered his things while she changed her slippers.

  “I am, too.” Cosette lifted her head and smiled as Avery walked toward them.

  “Did you have a good day?”

  The familiar phrase warmed her. “It was indeed a good day.”

  “Then we’ll celebrate. Claude, will you join us?”

  “I would love to.” Avery glared at his good friend.

  Claude stopped putting his things into his bag and glanced from Cosette to Avery and shook his head. “Not tonight. I need to make those changes we discussed to the choreography for tomorrow’s class. I’ll walk with you a ways.”

  “Very well.” Avery guided Cosette from the studio and the three strolled toward the tavern.

  “What changes are you making to the choreography? There are four weeks until the performance,” Cosette said.

  “I want to change the choreography in the third act. Everyone will want to see your grand jeté. I plan to make them wait until the end of the third act, then you will burst out of the corps de ballet and give them what they have been waiting for. You will be magnificent,” he said as they came to the tavern. “Here’s where I must leave you. Enjoy your evening.”

  Claude went on his way.

  “I must leave, too,” Cosette said.

  “Is it my imagination that you have avoided me all day?” Gone were the touches of humor around his mouth and eyes.

  Should she tell him her fear? Now she wasn’t so sure Suzette was telling the truth.

  “Are you jealous that I gave all my attention to Claude?”

  The brightness came back to his eyes. He snaked his arm around her and kissed her forehead as Suzette came out of the tavern. She gave Cosette a knowing smile and walked away.

  Avery glanced at Suzette, then at Cosette.

  “I’ll walk you to the palace,” he said. They walked on in silence.

  Suzette wasn’t the problem. The dancer just expressed her own insecurities. That was the issue. Why doubt Avery? He was so sure of her ability, more than she was.

  “Princess, there are people who will try to—”

  “You think I am naïve? Suzette is jealous of my closeness to you and doesn’t like the attention you give me, Claude, or anyone else. So much has happened so fast.” They were at the palace gate. She faced him and stepped close. “I will tell you I was unhappy when I thought I wouldn’t be with you again.”

  He brushed her hair back and gazed into her eyes. “I would have found a way for us to be together whether or not you danced in the company. I would not let Marcel take you from me, not when I just found you.”

  “Marcel? How did you find out?”

  “I have my ways. I come from a long line of druid magicians. The grand master himself was my five-times great-grandfather. Now go inside before I work my magic on you and make you mine.”

  The smoldering flame in his eyes startled her. Unable to turn away, a sense of urgency drove her closer. She took his face in her hands and pulled him closer and felt his breath against her cheek. Neither spoke. Her eyes fluttered closed as she kissed him with a thirst that needed to be quenched.

  Every day for the next three weeks, Cosette worked hard. The new choreography was breathtaking, but difficult. The combinations and tempo challenged her to her limits. Grueling repetitive practices took their toll.

  Every night she and Avery went over the day’s rehearsal. He gave her suggestions on timing, on foot position. She focused on Madam Camargo’s technique. Even those rare times when the famous dancer came to the studio to assist and demonstrated step-by-step, her style was hard to duplicate.

  To Cosette, it was obvious Avery was the reason the ballet company was successful and well respected. Then again, everything he did was perfect. They became inseparable. While she focused on Camargo’s technique, Avery and Claude worked together choosing dancers for the solo parts.

  Madam Camargo unveiled the new ending to the third act. Madam and Claude went over the intricate combination and jumps with all the dancers. They would choose two dancers to train for the part and would award the role to one of them.

  “You all did well, but I can only choose two for this ballet,” Madam Camargo said. “Suzette, you and Cosette will train. For the rest of you, Claude will announce the four remaining solo parts at the other end of the hall.”

  Rather than rush to congratulate them, the dancers hurried to the far end of the hall to find out which of them were the soloists.

  “The other dancers think you get special treatment. We all see how you act in front of Avery, as if you are something special,” Suzette said while Cosette searched through her things. “I told you, he will hurt you in the end. You are just another new dancer to him, nothing more.”

  “Princess, did you have a good day?”

  Cosette, on her knees searching under the bench, peeked up at him.

  “What are you looking for?” He squatted next to her.

  “I can’t find my shoe.” She bent and continued to search.

  Avery stood and glared at Suzette.

  “Oh.” Suzette avoided Avery’s stare as her hand fished for something in the bag slung over her shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I must have mistakenly gathered it up with my things.”

  Suzette plucked Cosette’s shoe from her bag and handed it to her. “If you’ll excuse me. I promised to meet the others.”

  Suzette strutted out the door.

  “I’m not sure why she hates me. Or why Madam Camargo chose me as the soloist for the end of the third act. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get my feet to work.”

  “Let’s not spend our time thinking about Suzette or dancing. I thought a walk along the Seine, and some fresh air would do us both good.”

  There was a nip in the air. Cosette pulled her wrap closer and took deep breaths.

  “Do you think it will rain?” she asked him.

  “Rain? Look up. The night is clear, the stars are out. It will not rain.”

  “You’re from a family of magicians. You could make it rain.” Even she laughed at the idea.

  “What is this fascination with rain?” He stopped and stood at the stone wall along the river.

  “Nothing.” She laughed. “I didn’t want to dwell on Suzette or the third act.”

  “Marry me,” he said.

  Cosette stopped laughing and stared at him. Her heart thundered at the thought of being his wife.

  “That stopped you from thinking about the third act,” he said.

  “Yes. It did.” She stood and stared at the river. Several minutes passed.

  “Well? Will you marry me?”

  She faced him and studied his handsome, loving face.

  “Suzette says many things to get me to respond and to stop our relationship. None of them work. There is one thing that bothers me.”

  “What is it?”

  “That I am the soloist not because of my dancing, but because I am your woman.”

  Avery straightened. “That is not true. In the past weeks, you danced three ballets and each to thunderous applause.”

  She put her hand on his chest. “But nothing this intricate. Sometimes a little voice i
n the back of my head tells me Suzette is right. That I fooled everyone into believing I deserve the solo. Look at me. I can’t do the combinations and I struggle with the leaps. If we got married now, in my heart of hearts, I would never know if I danced because I earned the part or because I am your wife.”

  Cosette moved away from him.

  “Madam Camargo decided who would dance the solo, not me or Claude. The choice was hers. Madam, Claude, and I know you are right for this solo. Even Suzette knows it. It’s why she works so hard to discourage you. Don’t let her win. Don’t let her keep us apart. I will talk to her.”

  “Avery, I love you. I need to do this on my own.”

  “I thought I was your knight, your protector. The one who fought your battles.”

  “You are my gallant knight. However, there are some things I must do for myself. This is one of them.”

  “As you wish, my princess.” He bowed. “I warn you, in three days the performance will be over. I will ask you again, in front of the entire company.”

  The dancers rushed into the study as the skies opened in a downpour. It rained on and off most of the morning. Now it settled into a steady rain.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, the opening performance is just a few days away. You have all done a superb job. I’m happy to announce the following people will perform the solos on opening night. Cosette you will do the end of act three. The other soloists will be Suzette, Aline, Luis, and Pierre. Dress rehearsals begin at the theatre this afternoon at four. Please do not be late. I want all the costume fittings completed. Those who trained for the solo, remain here. We’ll rehearse your parts.”

  “That solo was mine. Take it and you must give something up. You can’t have everything,” Suzette said, her arms crossed over her chest.

  “Leave her alone,” Alain said. He left with the others that stood around them.

  “I’ll take Avery.” Suzette spit out the words. “Yes. I assure you, he won’t miss you.”

  “Suzette, you tell tales that aren’t true about the dancers and about Avery. Does it make you feel better?” Cosette stepped closer. Suzette tried to step back but found herself against a wall. “Listen to me. The solo was never yours or mine before Monsieur Garnier decided who would dance. As for Avery, you can’t take what doesn’t belong to you. Ask him and he will tell you he has no interest in you.”

  Cosette moved away but turned back to Suzette. “If you spent as much time studying and working as you do lying and conniving the part you wanted could have been yours.”

  “Suzette.” Claude came in carrying sheets of music. “I added a new combination that will suit you well. I want to work on your fouetté rond de jambe en tournant. Your leg should whip around effortlessly.”

  While Claude worked with Suzette, Cosette went into Avery’s office. The strain of the confrontation took its toll. A fire in the hearth dried the dampness from the room. The cozy space soothed her to a point.

  She may have spoken back to the harassing woman, but did she believe her own words? If she deserved the solo, why was she having so much difficulty with it? The intricate steps needed speed and precision, but both eluded her.

  “I just came from the rehearsal hall.” Avery entered the office. “I’ve a present for you.”

  He handed her a box tied with a large red satin bow.

  “What have you brought me?” Excited, she pulled the end of the bow. The silk ribbon fell to the desk. She opened the package and inside found red slippers tied with a red ribbon.

  “They are worn and tattered, but they were Marie Camargo’s. They hold the secret to her dancing,” he said.

  “Avery, don’t tease me.”

  “Give me the shoes.” They stood near the fireplace where the glow was mystical. He closed his eyes and held the delicate worn slippers up high. “As above, so below. As within, so without. Give these slippers the powers to dance and make my Cosette the Prima Ballerina of France. So mote it be.”

  The fire in the hearth brightened, surprising them and making them laugh.

  She put the red slippers in her bag and threw her arms around him. “I knew you were a magician.”

  “Come, let me bewitch you.” He bent his head, and she felt the heady sensation of his lips on her neck.

  It was the afternoon of the performance. For the last three days she stood by as Suzette mastered the fouetté rond de jambe en tournant. However, Cosette still struggled with her combination. Claude didn’t say anything to her, neither did Avery, Suzette, or the other dancers, but she knew. The steps needed to be quicker, cleaner, and her jump higher.

  “You ready to leave?” Avery asked.

  One more rehearsal. No, that wasn’t necessary. No amount of time was going to make her performance any better.

  “Yes.” Taking the towel from around her neck, she placed it into her bag, next to the red slippers still tied with the red ribbon.

  They walked to the theatre. He went on to the office and she prepared for the performance. Her costume on, the skirt stopped above her ankles, like Marie Camargo’s.

  Looking in her bag for a head ribbon, she glanced at the red slippers. Perhaps she would wear them. They would draw attention to her feet. No. That wasn’t a good idea, but the little shoes would look so appropriate with her costume.

  Cosette took the red slippers out of her bag and put them on. Surprised they fit her so well, she practiced several combinations and decided they wouldn’t hinder her. She headed for the stage.

  On stage, her first steps were awkward. Nerves, she told herself. Cosette continued the dance with the corps de ballet, every movement graceful. The steps forgotten; the music took over. The dancers advanced, retreated, spun with arms elegantly positioned, their movement fluid.

  As the tempo built, so did Cosette’s feet until they were flashes of red. The music drove her forward to the crescendo. Cosette began her chassé and slowed until the right note played. With a deep plié, she sprang into a grand jeté as the orchestra held the note.

  She soared through the air, landed lightly, then hurried off stage.

  Claude and Avery were at her side. She couldn’t hear what they said from the noise in the theatre.

  She bent closer to Avery.

  “You brought the audience to their feet. They are demanding you come on stage. The orchestra cannot play. You must go on stage and take a bow.”

  It took a heartbeat or two for his words to sink in, even though with a quick glance she verified the audience stood and applauded. A flush of heat raced up her neck and settled on her cheeks. She’d danced as she had never danced before. A moment later, Avery’s arms were around her.

  “Cosette,” the maestro stood next to them, “you must come with me or we won’t be able to continue.”

  Reluctant to leave Avery’s arms, he nudged her toward the orchestra conductor. “Go, princess. I’ll be here, waiting for your answer.”

  She rushed back to his side and kissed his lips. “You have no reason to wait. I have always loved you and will marry no one else but you.”

  On the arm of the maestro, Cosette walked onto the stage to the delight of the audience. She bowed and glanced at the box. Marie Camargo smiled at her.

  With a light running step, she stood under the box and made a deep curtsy. The audience went wild.

  Marie had stood and had thrown her a rose. Cosette had picked it up, tucked it into her bodice, then had taken her position on stage.

  The audience had quieted, and she had nodded to the maestro. The music had begun...

  Present Time

  “Are you asleep?” Avery asked.

  “Not at all, just remembering the first time I came here.” She took his hand.

  “The day we met.”

  “Yes, I always thought it was the best day of my life.” She gazed at him, still so handsome, still her knight, her protector.

  Avery took his seat.

  The orchestra started, and the curtain rose. Within moments, Monique danced out from the win
gs and did her solo.

  “I knew she was a wonderful dancer. She reminds me of you,” Avery said. He sat forward in his seat. “Is Monique wearing your...”

  “Yes. I gave her the red slippers. See how wonderfully she dances. Now, not another word until after the performance. I don’t want to miss anything.”

  While the corps de ballet performed the final dance, she and Avery left their seats and went backstage. Cosette applauded loudly as each dancer took their bow.

  She and Avery went on stage. Avery stepped back and left Cosette center stage. The audience came to their feet.

  Monique came forward with a bouquet and handed it to Cosette.

  Taken by surprise, Cosette graciously pulled two roses from the bouquet. She handed one to Monique and the other to the maestro. With a slight bow, she took Avery’s arm and walked off the stage.

  That night they sat and had a quiet dinner in front of the fire.

  “You don’t think the company minded that we didn’t stay long at the party?”

  “Not at all, and if they did, I do not care. I wanted you all to myself,” Avery said.

  “Did you have a good day?” He glanced at her.

  “Wonderful.”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes. Every so often, Avery glanced at her.

  “What is it? You keep looking up at me as if you expect something to be wrong.”

  “No. No.” He put down his fork and held her hand. “I must confess. The worn red slippers are just that, worn dance slippers owned by no one important and certainly do not hold the secret to anything.”

  “But the fire in the hearth? My success?” She gave him a small smile trying not to laugh but didn’t have the heart to tease him. “Don’t look at me that way. I knew from the moment you gave them to me, they were ordinary red dancing shoes. You gave me what I needed.”

  “A pair of used red slippers?” he said sarcastically.

  “I needed to believe in myself as much as you believed in me. That’s when I knew I could do anything. That was the magic you gave me.”

  He got out of his chair, lifted her up, and held her close.