Dancing On Air

by Hurley-Moore, Nicole

  Aunt Marie,

  Please do not fret, as I have not befallen any harm. I travel with Lord Gainswith to the North Country. We are to be wed. I hope you will be pleased and rejoice with us. Have no fear for the ballet. I shall return before Wednesday’s performance.

  Your niece,

  Lisette.

  Lisette reread the letter twice before propping it up against the desktop. She wondered what Marie’s reaction would be? Her aunt had tried to push her into becoming Evander’s mistress; she told her that it was more than Lisette could have hoped for and probably more than she deserved. She had ranted and roared when Lisette told her that she would be no man’s mistress, so what would she think now that Lisette was a wife?

  She stood up and crossed over to the large armoire and opened its door. Inside she found her aunt’s blue carpetbag and took it. Then, without a backward glance, she exited the room and went to gather a few garments to take on the journey. Before long she almost skipped down the staircase and into Evander’s waiting arms.

  And now she sat close by his side as the hansom cab clattered over the cobblestones on its way to Evander’s residence in Pimlico. His arm was slung casually about her shoulders. The warmth it created seemed to melt into her. Happiness was tempered with nervous energy as Lisette leaned against him.

  ‘We shall be home soon,’ Evander said. ‘And I shall order Harris to ready the carriage for our journey.’

  ‘When will we leave?’

  ‘Dawn, I think. With luck we should arrive at Temperly by tomorrow nightfall.’

  ‘And then?’

  ‘Then, love...we will be married by noon the next day and you will be Lady Gainswith.’

  Lisette turned her head and stared at him. ‘It seems ridiculous to say this, but that had eluded me. All I could think of was being your wife. I’m afraid the title will not sit easily upon my shoulders.’

  ‘Why ever not? You’re more than a lady in my eyes, and none can hold a candle to you.’ Evander dipped his head and kissed her swiftly on the lips.

  Lisette put her hand against his chest and sat back a little, thereby ending the promising kiss. ‘More of your pretty words, Evander. But I fear we have not thought our actions through.’

  ‘I will not allow you to back out of our marriage. I plan to marry you and I will not let anyone get in the way...including you, my love.’ Evander smiled and gave Lisette a wink.

  ‘I do want to marry you, but we must think for a moment. I doubt your family will be pleased with the marriage.’

  ‘Sweeting, we have already established that fact. But remember, we do not care!’

  ‘Maybe, but it occurs to me that our union will also bring about other tribulations,’ Lisette said.

  ‘How so?’

  ‘I will not be able to dance if I am Lady Gainswith. I believe that if I did, I would scandalize the upper echelons of our society. Your reputation would be in tatters and I cannot leave the ballet at present, it would be selfish and unfair. Florentia is ill and Bessie has still not returned...and I’m beginning to think she will not. Something awful has happened to her, I just know it. If I was to leave as well, the ballet would not survive and Tinder would lose everything.’

  Evander was silent for a moment as he mulled over her words. ‘You care about him?’

  Lisette reached over and cupped the side of his face. ‘I care for all of them. The Imperial is my home and the people — from Tommy on the stage door, to the corps de ballet, to even Florentia — they are my family. I cannot hurt them and I will not do anything that will jeopardize their livelihood. Sally is an excellent dancer and Alice is more than skilled. Both of them are capable of taking over the roles but it will take a little time.’

  Evander leaned into her palm. ‘I understand but I will not be without you. We will marry —’

  Lisette went to break in but Evander placed his finger over her lips.

  ‘We will marry and keep it secret. That way you can continue to dance and I will be content in the knowledge that I have my heart’s desire.’

  ‘Then I shall reside at your house.’

  ‘But then you will be branded as my mistress. What of your reputation?’

  ‘What do I care? You and I will know the truth.’

  Evander fell silent and his brow was creased into a frown. ‘Forgive me, Lisette. I am a fool. I have been so concerned about what I want and how much I want you that I did not take your wishes into account. The thought that you must give up ballet had not even crossed my mind. I love you but I will not take your dream from you. I know how hard you have worked to become the prima ballerina. If I must, I will wait to marry you...for however long it takes,’ Evander said as he pulled her close.

  ‘It is true that I adore to dance. It makes feel free. When I dance I am in a moment of joy and the cares of my life melt away like snow. But I have never wanted to be principal ballerina... That was my aunt’s wish. She has pushed me every day; endless years of practice and rehearsing. When I was younger I thought she did it so I that one day I could live up to my mother’s reputation, but now I know better. According to Aunt Marie, the accolades of dancing were trivial. My main purpose was to attract a rich man, and become his mistress, thereby securing my Aunt’s future.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I was to sell myself so that my aunt would be financially well kept for the rest of her days.’

  ‘But that is...diabolical,’ Evander said as he stared down at her. ‘Surely, my love, you are mistaken. She is your aunt, and swore to your mother to protect you.’

  Lisette laughed. ‘My aunt has never loved me. Begrudgingly she took me in and has only kept me because I may be useful. Believe me when I say that Madame Devoré is only interested in herself. I tried for so many years to make her love me, but no matter how hard I practiced...it was never enough.’

  Evander’s eyes softened and he pulled her into a tight embrace. It was as if he was trying to hug the pain away. Lisette wanted to say that it didn’t matter what her aunt thought or that he shouldn’t pity her. But she couldn’t. The tears welled up within her and it took all her control to push them back down.

  ‘I’m sorry, Lisette. I cannot imagine how anyone couldn’t love you. I’m sorry that you felt alone and unloved when you were a child.’

  Lisette closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, she smelt the traces of vetiver mixed with the scent of woods and smoke. ‘I wasn’t alone. When we came to the Imperial the people who all worked there became my family.’

  ‘Which is why you must continue to dance.’

  ‘Yes, but only until someone can take my place.

  ‘But you said that you love it and it makes you feel free. I would not take that away from you,’ Evander said.

  Lisette paused for a moment. She needed to make him understand. ‘It’s true, but I love you more. With you, I am free. Evander, you freed me from the theatre, my future and my aunt when you made me fall in love with you. I feel like I am soaring in the sky when I think of what our lives could be and how lucky we were to find each other.’

  Lisette felt Evander’s breath against the crook of her neck. Her skin warmed and tingled as he began to drop a series of kisses down her throat.

  ‘I am so fortunate to have found you. You are all that is good and you make me strive to be the man I want to be,’ he murmured against her neck. ‘You make me feel content and whole, as if up until this point something was lacking. Although I did not see it.’

  The hansom cab slowly came to a stop and Evander reluctantly released Lisette. He opened the door and stepped into the night. He turned and held out his hand towards her.

  ‘Come Lisette, come be my bride.’

  His words warmed her and her lips curved up into a smile. Reaching forward, without any hesitation she caught his hand. As she stepped down from the carriage, Evander’s arm wrapped around her and pulled her to his side. The air was cold and Lisette trembled, although she wasn’t sure if it was from the chill of the nig
ht or the anticipation of being with Evander. Angling them both, Evander turned around and faced the driver. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a coin. He flicked it between his finger and thumb. The coin sailed through the air in an arc, glinting under the moonlight, before it was snatched up by the driver. With a nod of his head the driver tugged on the reins and the horses started to trot down the road.

  Evander turned around and led Lisette towards his narrow town house. It sat on the end of a row of identical white houses. Lisette counted the eight stone steps that led up to the entrance, which was covered by a small portico. As they neared the black painted front door, she saw there was a large lion head knocker attached to it. Without warning the door swung open and a thin man with chestnut-coloured hair stood to one side.

  ‘Good evening, sir.’

  ‘Ah Harris, good evening. I need you to prepare for a journey. Make sure the carriage is readied. I wish to leave for Temperly at first light.’

  Lisette studied the butler. He was younger than she first thought. He had a pleasant face and his eyes appeared to twinkle with amusement.

  ‘I shall see to it at once, my lord. Do you require anything else?’ Harris asked as he took Lisette’s cloak from her shoulders before dropping into a slight bow.

  ‘No, that will be all. Thank you, Harris. Oh, perhaps the cook would prepare us a basket for the journey. Please convey my apologies for the lack of preparation time,’ Evander said as he shrugged out of his coat.

  ‘But of course, sir.’ Harris answered as he swept into a bow before he straightened and disappeared down the corridor.

  Lisette clenched her hands by her sides in an attempt to stop them shaking. She prayed Evander wouldn’t notice. She took a breath to quieten her nerves. She wanted this. She wanted Evander. Raising her head, she caught him looking at her. His eyes were warm and there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

  ‘I love you, Lisette.’ Once more he held out his hand and waited for her to accept it.

  Lisette stared back. Her resolve, tempered by her love for Evander, appeared to crystallize within her. There was nothing to fear. She reached out and linked her fingers with his.

  ‘Then show me, Evander. Show me.’

  He led her up the staircase. With each step she trailed her hand along the satin-soft polished wood of the banister. They hurried down the corridor towards the door at the far end, their footsteps muffled by the thick hall runner. He stopped outside, caught her in his arms and kissed her.

  Evander’s kiss was soft and enticing. Lisette was so easily drawn into it. A warmth slid through her body and her stomach clenched with anticipation as his mouth became more demanding. He held her with such gentleness; he made her feel coveted, loved and almost precious. The weight of their bodies pushed open the door and before she knew it they had already stumbled five paces across the room.

  Their lips broke apart as Evander took a step back. But before Lisette could ask if anything was wrong, he swept her up and carried her to the wooden four-posted bed. Gently, he laid her down on the dark green velvet cover. She glanced up at the canopy above; that too was a swathe in the same material and for an instant she could almost believe that she was lying in a dark forest. Evander lay down next to her. He took Lisette in his arms and kissed her until she forgot how to breathe.

  Excitement and anticipation bubbled inside Lisette. Winding her arms around Evander, she pulled him closer. She met his kiss and dipped her tongue between his lips. He dragged in a breath and Lisette felt commanding and sinful all at once. In that instant she knew that she had the power to affect Evander as he did her. He loved her and she knew that, now and always, she would be safe in his arms. She broke their kiss and smiled. The knowledge released something a little reckless inside of her, and she pushed herself from the bed and rolled until she was on top of Evander.

  He cocked a questioning eyebrow but a wolfish grin transformed his mouth.

  ‘You are so beautiful, Lisette.’

  ‘Thank you. And so are you,’ she said. Leaning down, she kissed him hard on the lips.

  ‘I don’t think you are supposed to call me beautiful,’ Evander said between the kisses Lisette was raining on him. ‘What are you doing, love?’

  ‘Showing you how much I love you.’ Lisette sat back and looked down at him. ‘Isn’t it obvious?’

  Evander sat up and his fingers sought the row of tiny buttons that ran down the back of her dress. ‘You are doing a marvellous job but tonight is all about us and savouring each moment we have together.’

  Lisette became very conscious of Evander’s fingers and how each button sprung open under his deft touch. The warm air of the room blew across the small expanse of her bare neck. Evander’s fingers grazed across her skin. Lisette sucked in a breath. His eyes never left hers; she was mesmerized. The opening of her gown became wider and wider, until Evander tugged the dress off one of her shoulders. Only then did he move forward, his lips barely skimming across her neck. His hot breath almost seared Lisette and made her heart beat quicker. She closed her eyes and let her neck roll back to give his lips access. His kiss resounded throughout her body. A warm, tingling sensation washed over her and she grasped the velvet of the bedcover to steady herself.

  Evander’s large hand slid seductively along her now uncovered arms. She wished that she could touch him. She reached up and fumbled with his shirt buttons. It was hard to stay on task with Evander kissing the delicate skin above her collarbone. She trembled with delight.

  Finally Lisette ran her fingertip tentatively over Evander’s chest — it was hard, well muscled and strong. She wanted to explore and to find out what it would be like to have his skin next to hers. Then, without warning, Evander spun her around so her back was facing him.

  ‘Evander?’

  ‘Shh. Everything is all right,’ he whispered against her ear.

  She felt his fingers tug at the blue bow that secured her corset. Lisette felt a sense of relief mixed with a bit of trepidation as the bodice laces were loosened. She had been swept away with Evander’s kisses and the romance of being with him but now the fear of the unknown began to nag.

  ‘Should I go and change?’

  ‘No, please don’t,’ he said as he tossed her corset to the floor. ‘It is a task I delight in doing.’

  The tie of her petticoat was the next to slip undone. He moved off the bed and pulled Lisette to her feet. The dress and petticoat fell away and pooled around her. Evander held her hand as she gracefully stepped out from them.

  Lisette felt a flare of heat to her cheeks. ‘Here I stand in nothing but my shoes and under-linens; I think, Evander, that you are overdressed.’

  ‘Easily remedied, my love,’ Evander said as he shrugged out of his shirt.

  The rest of his clothes quickly followed suit and Lisette was torn. Part of her thought that she should busy herself with slipping out of her satin shoes with the pretty rosettes on the front, whereas another part of her was almost desperate to watch Evander undress.

  Lisette peeked up through her lashes and the sight of him almost stole her breath away. He was stunning, with a well-defined chest, broad shoulders and a sleek body. His dark hair had fallen once again over his forehead and for a moment Lisette could almost believe that one of her gods from the Imperial’s ceiling had been made flesh. He had an air of potency and everything about him was alive, virile and male. Lisette’s gaze travelled down his body and lingered at his erection, which jutted out proudly. She sat down on the edge of the bed. She should turn away, but she was transfixed. She should be apprehensive, she should look away, but she couldn’t.

  ‘Lisette, there is nothing to fear. I will never hurt you,’ Evander said as he walked over and took her in his arms.

  He dipped his head and kissed her. It began slowly and sweetly but soon Evander increased in exigency. His kiss demanded more and more and Lisette wrapped her arms about his waist and willingly let him.

  Almost immediately, the warmth flooded through
Lisette as she was swept once more up into his kiss. The urgency of it sparked a passion within her. Suddenly, Lisette found she couldn’t get close enough to Evander. She had been content to let Evander plunder her mouth, but now she kissed him back with the same intensity. There was that familiar growl at the back of his throat and she felt his arms tighten around her. There was nothing standing in their way. Tonight she would belong to Evander and he to her. The idea thrilled her. Together they pulled off her chemise, their lips barely parting. They fell back on the bed, Evander cradling her head.

  He stretched over her, his hand on her breast, kneading, teasing until she began to arch beneath him. Only then did he replace his hand with his mouth. Lisette sucked in her breath. Her hand spiked through his hair. His hand swept down her body, taking her drawers with it.

  He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. ‘I am the most fortunate of men.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because you love me.’

  ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘And I love you,’ he said as his hand began to wind its way back up her leg. ‘And will do forever.’

  ‘I believe I have told you before, forever is a long time,’ Lisette said as Evander gently nudged open her legs so he could settle between her thighs.

  But her thoughts and words failed her as Evander’s fingers circled and dipped within her. The extraordinary sensation made her strain against him, her hands running, clenching over his smooth back. She drew in another breath as exquisite pleasure and the sense of the unknown bloomed. Time stilled and Lisette’s senses were only filled with Evander.