Lady Revealed Read Online Free PDF Page B

he insisted.
    “Of course.”
    They emerged into the darkened alley and Carlo offered his arm. Juliette simply stared at it. He had never done so before, but she slipped her hand through the crook and he turned toward the street and began walking at a quick pace. Once they were away from the theatre Carlo slowed his steps, for which Juliette was grateful. If they had walked any quicker they would have been running. Why had he been in such a hurry? Did he have plans after he delivered her to her doorstep?
    “I apologize. I wanted to be away from the crowds.”
    Carlo hated it when the back of the theatre filled with those who had attended. Sometimes the crush made it almost impossible to move, not that she remained all that often herself. If she didn’t sup with her sisters, her mother required her home immediately.
    “We have only a few more performances,” he reminded her.
    Though she had danced this ballet dozens of time she was not growing tired of it as she normally did. Juliette wondered how much it had to do with Acker sitting in the audience and the flowers he sent. Or, it could simply be she loved the beauty of the choreography.
    “Have you told your students they will need to find another teacher?”
    Juliette glanced up at Carlo. “Why would I need to do so?”
    He stopped and turned toward her. “Did Viganó not speak with you? Is he not using you in his next ballet?” Worry marred Carlo’s brow.
    Oh, how could she have forgotten? Viganó wanted them to work on Prometheus . “I had forgotten.”
    Carol’s shoulders relaxed as if he was relieved and he once again turned and walked toward her home. It was only a few blocks away and when they stopped before the door he once again stood before her, studying her face.
    “Is something on your mind?”
    A slight smile came to his lips. “We will discuss it later.”
    With that he kissed her forehead and Juliette made her way into the house.
    Though it was late, her mother and sisters were still awake. Hélène was sewing costumes for the next production, pausing only long enough to read the script in front of her. Her sister often worked on memorization while sewing. Juliette didn’t understand how she managed to do both at once. Genviève was bent over the household accounts because Juliette recognized the books open on the desk. Maman was reading the stack of posts that must have arrived after she left for the theatre. They were weeks old and Juliette couldn’t understand her mother’s fascination. She could not recall her mother being even remotely interested in the world while they lived in Paris, but since they moved to Italy, somehow Maman arranged to have every London paper delivered to her.
    “How was the ballet this evening?” her mother asked as she folded the paper she was currently reading.
    For a moment Juliette thought to tell them of Carlo’s mistake but changed her mind. Nobody could ever determine how her mother would react to such an instance. One moment she would shrug it off and the other, insist something be done and possibly fly into a rage over Carlo touching her in such a matter. It was best to forget the incident even happened. “It went well,” she finally answered.
    “You did not receive flowers this evening?” Hélène asked with an arched brow.
    “He sent another bouquet. I left them in my dressing room.”
    Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Just make sure you do not meet with that gentleman.”
    Juliette did not look at her mother and wandered over to the sideboard and poured herself a small glass of wine. “I know, Maman,” Juliette answered. Until she knew what Acker intended she would keep their meetings to herself.
     
    *
     
    Acker practically pushed his way through the crowd to get to Juliette’s dressing room. The door stood open and he stepped inside. His bouquet sat on a small table and beside it her note, declining his invitation to supper. Disappointment settled in his belly. At least he would be with her