Free Dancing On Air by Nicole Hurley-Moore Page B

think there will be a problem between Lisette and Florentia?’
    Marie leaned back against the back of her chair. ‘Not on Lisette’s part. However Florentia may begin to feel threatened.’
    ‘I only ask because I remember you once said that Florentia was nearing the end of her career. I wonder if Lisette would eventually take her place.’
    Marie’s eyes seemed to almost glisten. ‘Do not worry, Mr Michaels. Whatever happens, the Imperial Theatre will never be without London’s finest ballerina.’
    ‘Thank you, Madame... I suppose that was the reassurance that I was looking for,’ Tinder said as he rose from the chair. He walked to door but paused and looked over his shoulder. ‘Business aside, I would hate to see Lisette ever get hurt... She is such sweet girl.’
    ‘I’m sure between us, Mr Michaels, we can make sure that Lisette is always protected,’ Marie answered with a knowing smile.
    ‘Yes, yes we can,’ he said before he disappeared through the doorway.

CHAPTER THREE
    Lisette slipped out the stage door into the late afternoon light. The brightness of the outside world made her narrow her eyes for a second until they adjusted from the dark of the theatre. Sally had promised to stay behind and misdirect anyone who should coming looking for her. Aunt Marie was enclosed in her office and would probably not venture out until the performance.
    Walking down the lane, she wished she had something nicer to wear. She wore her best dress — it was better than her grey one, but not by much. It was made of dark blue wool with a rounded neck and tight-fitting sleeves. A small trail of pearl buttons began at the top of her bodice and stopped at her waist. Around her shoulder she wore her shawl and her long hair was piled up in a loose bun. The buttons were her only adornment, as she owned no jewellery, not even something that had once been her mother’s. The only piece that had been kept was the large cameo, which Aunt Marie wore constantly at her throat.
    Everything had been sold when Lisette’s mother had died. Aunt Marie had always said that it was through the need to raise funds, so that she and Lisette could live, and that even though everything had been lost, one day she would have the cameo.
    But as Lisette made her way to the Hearth Fire she wished that her appearance was not quite so shabby. At night, through the magic of the gaslights, costumes and make up she was transformed into a bejewelled princess or a delicate fairy. The afternoon sun stripped away the illusions of the night and left Lisette with stark reality.
    Once, twice, her steps faltered and, out of a mixture of fear and embarrassment, she almost turned back to the theatre. She took a breath and forced herself to go on. Both Evander and Sally had urged her to take a risk, a chance so that she could experience life. So, just this once, she would do as they asked and risk everything.
    The Hearth Fire’s kitchen door was slightly ajar as Lisette approached. Tantalizing aromas escaped from the heavy wooden door and wove their enticing magic down the street. Without any more hesitation, Lisette gently knocked on the door and let herself into the small kitchen. Ropes of strung garlic and onions hung above the window, and on the bench was a batch of freshly baked rolls. The hot air of the kitchen was infused with scents of apples and cinnamon.
    Uncle Hans looked up from his pot-cluttered stove. ‘Ah, Lisette come in, come in. The boy is here and has paced a track in my floor! He was worried that you would not come, but I said “if my little bird said she would come, she will”!’
    Lisette crossed the kitchen and gave Hans a peck on the cheek. ‘Thank you for letting us meet here. I know you do not open until later.’
    ‘Pish, I need no thanks. The boy bribes me with coins and compliments my food. Why would I refuse? Besides, I want you to be happy,’ Hans said as he started to stir the nearest saucepan. ‘Go through and I will bring you