Dancing On Air Read Online Free PDF Page B

had seen her in that afternoon. And Evander believed he had never seen anything more beautiful. Their eyes met and time appeared to lag.
    ‘Well Lisette, this young gentleman wanted to see you.’
    ‘Thank you, Tommy, for bringing him down.’
    The old man gave her a toothy smile before he started to turn away. He hesitated, looked back and added, ‘I thought you may have already left. I saw your aunt leave with that Lord de Vale. Do you need someone to see you home? I do not want you walking these streets by yourself.’
    ‘I will escort Miss Lisette home,’ Evander said before she could answer. ‘It would be my privilege.’
    Tommy eyed him with a steely glare. ‘Perhaps...but you know where I am, if you need me, Lisette.’
    ‘Yes, thank you Tommy. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’
    Tommy walked away, leaving Evander staring at Lisette. The moment dragged on and for the first time in his life, Evander was lost for words.
    ‘Is that for me?’ Lisette asked as she pointed to the pink rose he was holding.
    ‘Oh, yes... Sorry.’ Evander handed the bloom to her. ‘I didn’t know what sort of flowers you liked.’
    ‘It’s beautiful, thank you.’ She held the rose beneath her delicate nose and inhaled its perfume.
    ‘You have been in my thoughts all day. Since we met your beauty has haunted me.’
    Lisette arched an eyebrow. ‘Pretty words indeed, sir, but we have yet to meet.’
    Evander cleared his throat. He was acting like a green schoolboy, instead of a grown man. ‘Forgive me, I am Lord Evander Gainswith and it is a pleasure to meet you.’ Evander bowed before her.
    Lisette dropped into a curtsy. ‘I am Miss Lisette Devoré.’
    She extended her hand. Evander took it and brought it to his mouth. His lips tingled from the contact of her smooth skin. ‘I am forever your servant.’
    ‘Forever is a long time, my lord.’
    ‘Not long enough, where you are concerned,’ he said as he straightened.
    ‘Flattering words indeed, Lord Gainswith. Thank you again for the flower but it is time I went home.’
    ‘Then I shall accompany you.’
    ‘No, we shall say goodnight.’
    Evander was taken aback. Women were generally not in the habit of refusing him. ‘I would see you safely home.’
    ‘That is kind, my lord, but unnecessary,’ she said as she inclined her head.
    ‘But —’
    ‘Goodnight, Lord Gainswith.’ Lisette gave him a smile before she turned away.
    ‘Very well, Miss Devoré. Until our next meeting.’

    Lisette’s footstep echoed on the slick cobblestones as she walked down the narrow alley. London was a city of contrasts. Only a few streets away, the gaslights illuminated the bright theatres, including The Imperial, and expensive restaurants of the West End, where the rich dined, laughed and found amusement. But past the lights, in the cloying darkness, another city thrived; a city full of violence, want, hunger and above all, desperation. This was the world Lisette had grown up in. She was lucky, as she had been sheltered by the theatre and its ragtag family, but as she passed a thin and shivering prostitute she was reminded how precarious all their lives were. As Lisette neared she saw that the woman was younger than she first appeared. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her penny and placed it in the woman’s hand. The girl’s eyes widened in surprise, ‘God bless you, luv.’
    Lisette smiled and nodded as she walked on. ‘And you.’
    The narrow laneway known as Beggar’s Mews was dark and still. The tall buildings stood together in a long row, the occasional lamp light shone weakly through the tattered windows. There was an ever-present sense of despair — it hung over the ramshackle buildings like a winter’s cloak. She raised her eyes and could see her rooms in the farthest corner on the last house. A dull light burned and she could make out the silhouette of her aunt as she walked across the three tiny rooms they shared. Wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders,