Dancing On Air

by Hurley-Moore, Nicole

  ‘I am honoured that you chose our little church of Temperly Edge in which to marry,, although I am surprised. I thought that you would marry in London or at least at Gainswith Park, as it is common knowledge that your mother and brother favour the estate. No doubt the duke, duchess and your brother, the Marquess of Coltswood, will be waiting to celebrate your marriage at Gainswith Park?’

  ‘I very much doubt it, as no one knows of our nuptials, which is one of the reason I chose to have the ceremony here. That and I do love the old ruin,’ Evander said as he hugged Lisette a little closer. ‘We stay at Temperly tonight and then we will return to London the following day.’

  ‘You do not have your family’s blessing for this union? But you led me to believe the contrary. I thought… Well, I thought...,’ Vicar Davis said. The look of alarm was evident on his lined face.

  A smile spread across Evander’s face. ‘No, we wished it to be a surprise.’ He took Lisette’s hand in his and then brought it to his lips. ‘Come, my love, let me show you the beauty of Temperly.’

  ‘I would very much like that,’ Lisette said before inclining her head towards the old man. ‘Thank you, Vicar Davis, for such a beautiful ceremony. I shall remember it always.’

  ‘Thank you, Miss...I mean Lady Gainswith. But Lord Gainswith, should we not inform your family of your union?’

  ‘Don’t worry, Vicar. Believe me when I say that they will find out soon enough.’ Evander tugged gently on Lisette’s arm. ‘Come love, we have the day and the night to ourselves. Let’s not waste a moment.’

  Lisette was buoyed by happiness. She squeezed his hand. ‘Not a moment, Evander. Show me Temperly.’ Her feet barely touched the cold stone floor of the old chapel as Evander led her out into the wintery sun.

  It was madness but Evander desperately wanted her to like Temperly — no, not like — love Temperly as much as he did. He couldn’t explain it, not to Lisette and certainly not to himself. Temperly would never be his, so why was it so important that Lisette see it as more than a crumbling pile of stone?

  Last night they had arrived in the dark and he had ushered her into his bedroom, which was located on the very top floor of the tower. This and the floor below were in the best repair and furnished. The rest of Temperly was in various stages of restoration and sparsely decorated. There was a bare minimum of ageing furniture scattered throughout the house. Only one of the top two floors was truly up to accommodating any guests.

  Attached to the square stone tower was an annex. It too was made of dull grey stone but had been added when Evander’s grandfather had first inherited the estate. The extension had been added to the back of the building and now housed a large kitchen, bathroom, sitting room and storage.

  However, once his grandfather had died, Temperly had almost been forgotten. Evander’s father showed little interest in the estate and Alistair continued this sentiment. The upkeep of Temperly had always lingered on the bottom of Alistair’s list, and money for its repair was only allocated when Evander pushed the matter. A tiny skeleton staff was kept on at the house: Mr & Mrs Butler acted as housekeepers, with the help of their grandson Ned, and old Gaffy the gardener. The truth was that no one from his family ever voluntarily came to Temperly. No one, of course, except him.

  The carriage made its way up the winding drive. The garden was overgrown but Evander loved every aspect of it. He held his breath as Temperly came into view.

  ‘Oh Evander, it looks like something from a fairy tale. I didn’t realise last night just how beautiful Temperly is.’ Lisette leaned closer to the window, her breath frosting the glass.

  Evander expelled the breath. ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  ‘Like is hardly the word I would use. I love it and it is the perfect place to begin our life together. I hope you will show me everything that Temperly has to offer.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘That I want to see it all, from the cellar to the top of the turrets. And I think I shall feel like a princess standing all the way up there,’ Lisette said as she pointed to the battlements.’

  ‘When I was a child, I would pretend that I was a brave knight who was charged with defending Temperly walls from an evil army.’

  ‘Did you?’ Lisette turned to him with a gentle smile. ‘Yes, I can almost see it. How could you not have such imaginings and adventures in such a magical place?’

  As the carriage came to a stop, Evander reached over and gave her a swift kiss. And in that simple comment, somehow Lisette had just managed to make him love her even more, which was something he thought impossible.

  He opened the carriage door and got out. He turned around and with a smile he offered his hand. ‘Come, love. I will show you around.’

  ‘Thank God you’re back! I was beginning to think that I was going to have to cancel tonight’s performance.’

  Lisette looked down the dark corridor, her eyes still adjusting from the bright day outside. ‘Oh, Tinder... Is that you?’

  ‘Yes, yes of course. Never do that to me again. I swore if you hadn’t turned up today I was going to the police. First Bessie disappears and then you. I swear the fates are against this venture.’

  ‘I’m sorry that I worried you but I thought my aunt would tell you that all was well and that I planned to be back for tonight’s performance.’

  ‘No, she didn’t. But wait, isn’t Madame Devoré with you?’

  ‘No, I had a personal matter that needed urgent attention but my aunt stayed here.’

  Tinder Michael’s brow furrowed. ‘But I haven’t seen Marie since just after the last performance. I assumed that you were together, which is why I didn’t inform the constabulary straight away.’

  Lisette’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh perhaps she is ill. So no one has checked our apartment?’

  ‘No of course not, I just assume — Oh God!’

  Lisette was already hurrying back out into the alley. She sidestepped Charlie as he approached.

  ‘I say, Lisette, what’s all this about?’ he called after her.

  ‘I have to run Charlie, I think Aunt Marie is in trouble,’ she said quickly.

  ‘Madame Marie was not with Lisette. She fears that she is ill or worse,’ Tinder explained as he hurried past.

  ‘Wait for me. You can’t go by yourself!’ Charlie called out as he changed direction and ran after her.

  But Lisette didn’t wait for either of them. She broke into a run as she made her way through the series of alleyways towards Beggar’s Mews. Her heart raced and she could feel the uneven cobblestones through the soles of her kid boots. Behind her Tinder and Charlie ran to catch up. Tension twisted inside her, winding like a tight spring. She pushed herself to run faster, and ignored the curious glances she received as she swept past. She slowed as she made her way through a tight alley, It was crowded with people and a large stack of half broken wooden crates. Lisette felt her impatience and frustration rise as she wove through the throng of people. There were bare-footed children playing, two washer women walking side by side with a great basket of laundry between them, and several men carrying boxes. All used the alley as a shortcut.

  ‘Here, where are you off to in such a ‘urry?’ He was a small, wiry man with pockmarked skin and pale eyes that appeared not to miss a trick. His brown jacket was open and there was grease marks splashed down his front. The pungent smell of onions assailed her and made her nose twitch. He purposely stood in Lisette’s path.

  ‘Out of my way!’ She tried to sidestep the man but he moved and blocked her a second time.

  ‘Here now, dove, there’s no need to run away. Why not stay here for a bit and let Johnno take care of you?’

  ‘I have no time for this. Out of my way!’ Lisette dove in the opposite direction to avoid him but he pre-empted her move.

  ‘You’re a feisty one for one so slim. I like that, I —’

  ‘Oh for heaven’s sake!’ Lisette summoned her strength and shouldered past the man. ‘Leave me be or answer to them,’ s
he said as she tossed her head in Tinder and Charlie’s direction.

  Johnno turned and saw the murderous expression on Tinder’s face as he raced forward. Taking a gulp of air, he stepped back and held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. ‘I meant nuthin by it, dove.’

  But Lisette had already dismissed him from her mind as she resumed her sprint down the alley. Soon she had made it to Beggar’s Mews; her building was ahead but from this distance she couldn’t make out if there was anything amiss. Without pausing she ran as quickly as she could up the old metal staircase, taking two steps at a time. She made it to the landing outside her window and turned the latch. It wasn’t locked. A whisper of fear curled around her spine as she ducked into the apartment.

  ‘Aunt Marie? Aunt Marie... Are you here?’

  Silence seemed to engulf the apartment. Lisette strode quickly through the parlour, glancing around the room. Everything appeared to be in its right place. She could hear Tinder and Charlie hurrying up the staircase as she slipped into her aunt’s bedroom. The room was untouched, the bed still made and, as her eyes sought the dressing table, Lisette could see that her letter she had left her aunt was still where she had left it. Lisette knew that her Aunt had not seen the letter, which meant Marie had never returned home. She crossed the room & plucked her letter up. Folding it quickly, she slipped it into her pocket.

  ‘Lisette!’

  ‘I’m alright, Tinder. Madame Devoré is not here,’ Lisette called out as she walked back into the parlour. Both Tinder and Charlie were standing in the room. They were both trying to catch their breath and their presence made the room feel small and insignificant. ‘As I said, Aunt Marie isn’t here and I doubt that she has been in days.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Charlie asked.

  ‘I think so. The apartment and her room have not been disturbed. If she is not here, or at the theatre... I mean where else would she be?’

  ‘That’s right, Madame Devoré is always at the theatre. I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t. Something has happened to her,’ Charlie said.

  ‘Yes, Charlie...I believe that too. I must go to the police constabulary.’

  ‘Do you really believe it has come to that? Is there a possibility that she went away and stayed with friends?’

  ‘No Tinder, my Aunt Marie does not have any friends. If she is not here and no one has seen her since...since when?’

  ‘The last performance.’

  Tinder’s words hung in the air like the sword of Damocles. The connotation suspended over them, yet none of them were ready to voice their fears.

  ‘Come on then, I’ll accompany you to the Police. Charlie, can you go back to the theatre and double check that no one knows the whereabouts of Madame Devoré?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Charlie said with a nod.

  ‘Thank you Tinder, but first I must find Lord Gainswith.’ She felt him stiffen beside her.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I must. Please do not push me on this.’

  ‘Very well. In that case I shall accompany you to Lord Gainswith.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Thank you for coming, Detective Constable Reeves,’ Evander said as he looked up from behind his mahogany desk. The thin man was shown into the study. He was about thirty five and of average height and had a pleasant face.

  Reeves inclined his sandy coloured head. ‘Not at all, Lord Gainswith. Your man said that the situation was both urgent and delicate.’

  ‘Yes, it is indeed. May I present Miss Devoré, ballerina extraordinaire from the Imperial Theatre,’ Evander said as he gestured towards Lisette.

  ‘Miss Devore. A man would have to be blind not to recognise you.’

  ‘Thank you, Detective Constable Reeves. It is very sweet of you to say so.’ Lisette said.

  ‘Please sit down,’ Evander said.

  Both men waited for Lisette to sit in a high backed chair that was positioned next to Evander’s.

  ‘Perhaps if you would be so kind as to tell me what this is all about?’ Reeves said as he sat down.

  Lisette leaned forward. ‘Can you keep a secret?’

  Reeves’s eyes widened with surprise. He appeared to pause for a moment, as if to gather his thoughts. ‘Well, that would depend Miss Devoré. If the secret was an integral part of the case then...no. However, if it has nothing to do with the investigation then I assure that I will be as silent as a tomb.’

  Lisette sat back in her chair and threw a glance at Evander.

  ‘There is nothing we can do, love. We must tell the Detective Constable if we are to locate your aunt.’

  ‘Yes. Yes of course, you are right,’ Lisette said and, for the second time, she noted the astonishment in Reeves’s face.

  ‘Miss Devoré’s aunt Marie is missing,’ Evander explained.

  Reeve’s forehead puckered in a frown. ‘And that is the secret?’

  ‘Oh no, of course not,’ Lisette said with a hint of a smile.

  ‘No, but Marie Devoré’s absence may expose our secret. Miss Devoré and I are, well…married. However, we wish to keep it a secret.’

  ‘I see...’ Reeves said.

  ‘No Detective Constable, I do not believe you do. I care for the people at the Imperial; they are my family. Bessie — one of our ballerinas — went missing two or more months ago and our prima ballerina, Florentia, is injured and unable to dance. We cannot announce our marriage until I have someone to take my place. For if I were to leave now, the theatre would be without a principal dancer and it would flounder. If it struggles then my dearest companions are at risk of losing their livelihood. Therefore, we must keep our marriage a secret until I can train one of the corps de ballet.’

  ‘I understand, Lady Gainswith. At this present time, I cannot see a need to expose your nuptials. But tell me, when was the last time you saw your aunt?’

  ‘After Saturday night’s performance. We spoke briefly straight after curtain call. She said that she was going to work late, that she had some tasks she wanted done.’

  ‘And after that, what did you do?’ Reeves asked.

  ‘I was intending to go home, however Evander arrived and my plans changed.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘The devil take it! I don’t see how that is any of your business,’ Evander broke in.

  But before Reeves could respond, Lisette gently placed her hand on Evander’s arm. ‘It is alright. The Detective Constable only wants to piece together the night Aunt Marie disappeared. I’m sure we can count upon his discretion in this matter.’ Lisette’s eyes met Reeves’s; she held them, unblinking, until he nodded in agreement. ‘I came here, to Lord Gainswith’s residence. I was here all night.’

  Reeves gave Evander a questioning look.

  ‘Yes, what Lady Gainswith says is the truth. We were here all night and then left for Temperly at first light...where we were wed.’

  ‘Temperly?’

  ‘Yes. It is an estate that belongs to my brother, the Marquess of Coltswood. We were married in the village church in Temperly Edge the following day.’

  ‘And all of this can be confirmed?’

  ‘Yes. Vicar Davis will be able to verify our movements as well as the staff at Temperly.’

  Reeves nodded his head. ‘Thank you. But now to your aunt, Lady Gainswith. Would there be anyone who disliked her?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Reeves lifted his eyes and stared levelly at Lisette. She was innocent of everything but his stare still managed to make her feel uncomfortable. He said nothing and she wondered if she should be silent or carry on.

  ‘My aunt is a difficult woman. She is hard and brittle and says exactly what is on her mind. She has insulted a multitude and made many enemies over the years. The difficulty would be in trying to pinpoint just one person. You think me cruel and harsh and that as a loving niece I should not say such things. The truth is, Detective Constable Reeves...my aunt has never loved anyone, least of all me.’

  ‘And yet you are concerned about
her?’

  ‘Yes, yes I am,’ Lisette said.

  Reeves regarded her for another moment and then stood up. ‘Lord and Lady Gainswith, thank you for your time. I shall look into the matter immediately and shall stop by the theatre to see if anyone can throw some light onto Madame Devoré’s disappearance. Was there anything out of place at her residence?’

  ‘No, everything appeared to be as it should,’ Lisette said before she jumped off the chair and hurried over to where her reticule sat on a small table. She opened the bag and withdrew a small iron key and a small photograph in a tooled leather frame, which she handed to Reeves. ‘The attic apartment is located at number 8 Beggar’s Mews.’

  Reeves studied the photograph. ‘Thank you. I shall return the key as quickly as possible. Am I right in thinking that your aunt quite likely disappeared between the Imperial Theatre and her residence? It is a very short distance, with only a road and a couple of alleys separating them.’

  ‘That’s correct. It is a distance she walked every day, even with her damaged leg.’

  ‘She was lame?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose you could say that. In her youth my aunt was a ballerina, like my mother. However she had an accident that damaged her knee and she was unable to dance ever again. She uses a walking stick.’

  ‘Thank you, Lady Gainswith. You have been a great help,’ Reeves said with a nod. ‘Now, if you will both excuse me.’

  Evander stood up to ring the bell but Reeves held up his hand.

  ‘It’s quite all right; I can find my own way out. Good day.’

  ‘Good day,’ Evander said as he watched the man slip out of the room. He turned and walked over to Lisette, pulled her out of the chair and into a tight embrace. ‘Are you alright?’

  Lisette breathed deeply, the scent of green woods and cool air wafted from Evander’s warm skin. She closed her eyes and took the moment’s peace. His arms were around her and she felt protected and cherished.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine.’

  ‘Good, but you must stay here tonight.’

  ‘But surely that will compromise our plans? If anyone discovered —’