Lady Revealed Read Online Free PDF

the back of the stage.
    Juliette stilled and her eyes slightly widened. Acker held his breath waiting to see what would happen next. He had never seen the two make a mistake before, especially one that could halt the choreography.
    Juliette drew her arms above her head and spun away from the man. He approached and grasped Juliette’s waist again. When he lifted, he looked toward Acker, his eyes cold and hard. It lasted but a moment and the two dancers were back executing the moves as if there had been no alteration in the original choreography.
    Acker narrowed his eyes, continuing to watch the couple. The pure hatred in the partner’s eyes was unsettling and Acker had a deep rooted suspicion that the male dancer had just made his claim on Juliette. The mistake in the dance had been intentional and the touch spoke of familiarity.
    If the two were a couple, or even lovers, why had Juliette supped with him last evening, walked with him today and agreed to meet with him tomorrow? Was the dancer pursuing her and Juliette had rejected him? Or, were they former lovers and the man didn’t wish her to have another? Or, was Juliette using Acker to make the dancer jealous?
    Acker stewed over the possibilities until the performers took their final bow. He would give Juliette a moment to change her clothing and then he would find out what the male dancer meant to her and if he was going to cause difficulties in Acker’s pursuit.

FIVE
    Juliette turned to Carlo the moment they left the 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’t like Carlo to make such a drastic error. His hands had not slipped since they first started dancing together. Then it was getting used to the movement of the other and learning the timing of the steps and lifts.
    “You had a firm grip on my waist. Why did you let go?” she demanded.
    He opened his mouth yet no words came out.
    Had it been intentional? Had Carlo meant to grab her breast instead of lifting her? Heat flooded her face and Juliette wasn’t certain if it was from embarrassment or fury.
    “I had a pain,” he said quickly.
    Juliette tilted her head and studied him. “A pain?”
    “Yes,” he nodded. “It was short and quick through my wrist but I feared lifting you at that moment.”
    Juliette narrowed her eyes again.
    “I did not mean to touch you in such a manner, but you moved at the same time as I.” He grasped her hands. “I am so sorry.”
    She continued to study him. Carlo was a professional dancer and he did seem truly upset over the incident. Besides, why would he wish to alter the dance? Mistakes such as that 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. “I promise.”
    Juliette shut the door to her dressing room and quickly removed her costume and put on a walking dress. Carlo had made a mistake and that was all. He meant nothing by touching her in such a manner. Besides, even if he wished to do so, he wouldn’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? Most gentlemen would not but she really didn’t know him all that well. Besides, there was a very good chance he hadn’t noticed. The hand that slipped had been away from the audience. If anything, Acker probably noted a slight change in the choreography.
    When Juliette emerged from her dressing room, Carlo was waiting to escort her home. He glanced anxiously around the backstage area quickly filling with patrons. She moved toward the back entrance and Carlo settled his hand at the small of her back. Though he didn’t push, there was pressure, steering her through the crowd.
    “We mustn’t be late,”