PHANTOM IN TIME (36 page)

“I
appreciate your understanding.”

Helene
stifled a yawn. “By the way, Etienne has scheduled an extra rehearsal for today
at noon. He was unhappy with several of the renditions last night. I suppose
you can always go to the theater and beg his forgiveness.”

“Thanks.
I'll give it a try.”

Helene
poked Tommy in the ribs. “Of course, I'll have to attend rehearsal on
practically no sleep.”

“Tell
me about it,” muttered Bella.

Helene
ruffled Tommy's hair. “Lucky old Tommy gets to go home and rest.”

“But,
darling,” he protested, grinning, “I won't sleep for thinking of you.”

Watching
him kiss Helene again, Bella had to agree. She hurried off to give the lovers
some privacy, and ran her bath. Not even the awkward discussion with Helene, or
anticipation of Etienne's reaction toward her at the theater, could mar Bella’s
dreamy, romantic mood. As the warm water sluiced over her, sensual memories of
Jacques's touch suffused her with longing. His husky words kept drifting
through her mind: “How will I live without you until tonight?”

She
knew she was a fool to think there would be a tonight, yet her ravenous desire
for Jacques seemed to dictate otherwise. Her emotions were clearly out of
control, but, oh, it felt so good!

***

Two
hours later, when Bella and Helene arrived in the wings of the theater, it was
to find Andre Delgado and Teresa Obregón in a passionate embrace, kissing near the
entrance to the stage. Bella and Helene exchanged glances of amazement. Bella
even wondered if Andre's wooing her so publicly last night had made Teresa
jealous enough to abandon her pride.

She
couldn't see Teresa's expression, since the woman's back was turned to her. But
Andre spotted the chorus girls and slanted Bella a lecherous wink. Bella
glowered back, while fighting a traitorous smile. Helene raised a hand to her
mouth to stifle giggles.

It
was hard for Bella to remain too furious with Andre. Of course, thanks to him,
she had been manhandled and even spanked by Jacques. But also thanks to him,
she had spent an incredible, passionate night in Jacques's arms.

Leaving
the lovers to their art, the women tiptoed onstage. Bella saw Jacques there
with Etienne, the men surrounded by laughing women, including Maria Fortune,
who stood with a shapely hand perched on Jacques's sleeve. The sight of it sent
a pang of jealousy shooting through Bella.

Then
Jacques noticed her, and Bella felt herself melting at the ardor and happiness
in his eyes. “Bella darling!” he cried, rushing toward her.

To
Bella's mingled joy and embarrassment, Jacques caught her close and kissed her
fervently in front of everyone!

“Jacques,
please!” she beseeched in a whisper, trying to wriggle free.

But
he only laughed, grabbed her hand, and tugged her toward the others. Bella
noted that most of the men in the company appeared amused, while the women—with
the exception of Helene—appeared less than pleased.

“I
was just explaining to everyone how you were called away suddenly to your
grandmother's bedside,” Jacques stated, raising an eyebrow meaningfully at
Bella.

“Oh,”
she muttered. “Thank you, Jacques.” She turned to bestow on Etienne her most
apologetic look. “I'm really sorry I put you in a bind, Mr. Ravel.”

He
scowled. “I must tell you, I was quite chagrined that you left without so much
as informing me, young lady.”

“I
behaved terribly,” agreed Bella, “and if you wish to discharge me, I do
understand.”

To
her surprise, he shrugged. “Well, I must admit I wanted to scratch your name
off our rolls at first. However, considering the blessed news”—he paused,
slapping Jacques across the shoulders—”I'm inclined to be more forgiving toward
you and let you resume your duties.”

Bella
frowned, an uneasy feeling sliding over her. “What news?”

“Why,
the tidings of our engagement,
ma belle,”
stated Jacques proudly. While
Bella stared at him in amazement, he took her hand, kissed it, and eloquently
announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby publicly proclaim that the lovely
Bella De La Rosa is the woman of my destiny.”

To
Bella's mortification, the others clapped and cheered. “Jacques!” she
protested.

“Congratulations,
dear,” said Maria Fortune stiffly.

Helene
rushed up and hugged her friend. “Oh, Bella, I'm so thrilled! Why didn't you
tell me?”

As
Bella regarded everyone in mystification, Etienne added warmly, “My best wishes
to you both. You've made a very good match for yourself, dear Bella, nabbing a
renowned tenor. Perhaps we can formally announce your betrothal at the soiree
I'm hosting on August 8
^th
when Maurice and Andrea Bloom visit our
fair city.”

“A
splendid idea,” agreed Jacques. He nodded at Bella. “Etienne was just telling
us that the Blooms will sing a special duet during their appearance here. What
greater honor can they bestow on us than to help us celebrate our engagement at
the party afterward?”

Bella
was not about to allow Jacques to pull off such an outrageous power play.
Slanting him an admonishing look, she said, “I hate to spoil everyone's fun,
but the truth is, I have not agreed to marry Jacques.”

As
the men chuckled and most of the women appeared amused or even relieved,
Jacques waved off Bella. “A minor impediment.” He wrapped his arm around her
waist. “You are forgetting,
chérie,
how very persuasive I am.”

Hearing
snickers from the company, Bella spoke through clenched teeth. “Jacques, may I
see you alone?”

He
grinned at the others. “What did I tell you?”

They
exited the stage to guffaws from the men and tense whispers from the women. In
the wings, Bella was relieved to note that Andre and Teresa had left. She faced
Jacques angrily.

“How
dare you tell the others we are going to marry!”

Ignoring
her outburst, he backed her toward the wall. “Kiss me,
chérie.”

“No!”

He chuckled
and pinned her against the wall with his hard body, leaning over and kissing
her greedily.

Breathing
hard, she pushed him away. “Jacques!”

“You
cannot fight this,
chérie
. It's much more powerful than both of us.”

“Jacques,
I'm
not
going to marry you.”

The
rogue merely grinned and kissed her again.

Chapter Thirty-three

Back
to Contents

“Gee
whiz, Bella! I'm so glad you're back!”

Bella
ran across Toby in the corridor near her dressing room. His young face
displaying an endearing mixture of relief and joy, the lad thrust himself into
her arms.

Tender
emotion welling in her, Bella hugged him back and patted his shoulders. “Yes,
I'm back.”

They
stepped apart, and he regarded her anxiously. “We've all been so worried.”

“I know.
I'm sorry, but my grandmother was ill. I had to leave quite suddenly.”

“Is
she all right now?”

Bella
hesitated. “Well, she's very old and infirm.”

“But
you're back to stay?”

She
smiled. “At least for now.”

He
nodded. “You know, you sang great last night. Gosh, what a surprise to see you
onstage with Andre.”

“It
was quite a shock for me, too,” Bella agreed dryly.

“But
you sang perfectly. I didn't even have to prompt you. Are you over your stage
fright now?”

“Well,
not completely.”

“Heck,
who cares? You're back!” He clutched her hand. “Promise you won't leave again
without telling me good bye?”

“I'll
try my best,” she vowed.

He
frowned. “Are you going to marry Jacques LeFevre now?”

A
startled laugh burst from her. “Mercy, does everyone know?”

The
boy's expression grew sheepish. “Well, I was standing at the back of the stage
when Jacques made his announcement.”

“
His
announcement, is right,” replied Bella with resentment. “I wish he had asked me
first.”

“Then
you're not going to marry him?” Fragile hope rang in the child's voice. “Are
you afraid he'll break your heart like Georgie Porgie?”

Bella
chuckled. “Not exactly. Jacques is a nice man, Toby, but . . . Well, it's
complicated.”

Toby
stepped closer, regarding her earnestly. “If you wait till I grow up, I'll
marry you.”

Tender
amusement danced in Bella's eyes. “My, my but I'm a lucky girl! Two proposals
of marriage in one day.”

“I
mean it, Bella,” he said tightly.

“I
know you do, sweetie,” she replied gently. “But Toby, you don't
really
want to marry me. By the time you're old enough, I'll be way too old for you,
and you'll prefer a girl your own age. Let's just stay friends, okay?”

“Okay,
but the offer stands, anyhow,” he said, thrusting his chin forward proudly.

“I
know. You're the best.”

Toby
grinned. “So are you!”

Bella
paused, hearing orchestral music swelling out from the direction of the stage.
“Oops, I've got to run. I'm due onstage in ten minutes.”

“Yeah,
and I'm due there now,” replied the boy, dashing off. “See you later!”

Laughing,
Bella headed for her dressing room.

***

Within
hours, everyone in the company was aware that Jacques was in love with Bella,
and had heard of his announcement of their betrothal. Everywhere Bella went,
she drew excited whispers and curious stares.

To
make matters worse, Jacques missed no opportunity during rehearsal to touch
Bella or even kiss her in front of the others. She was mortified yet secretly
thrilled.

That
afternoon, Bella stood in the wings watching the corps de ballet
rehearse
their dance for “A Waltz Dream.” She was entranced by the graceful couples
floating around the stage, the beautiful lifts and leaps of the dancers. Then,
to her amazement, she watched Jacques abruptly enter from stage left, bursting
into the middle of the ballet. As the dancers froze, regarding him in
confusion, he clapped his hands and shouted imperiously, “Shoo! Shoo!”

Appearing
perplexed, the dancers began backing away.

Meanwhile,
the orchestra music had died away, the conductor standing thunderstruck with
his baton in hand, and Etienne was charging toward the stage. “Jacques LeFevre!
What on earth do you think you are doing!” the director shouted. “We must
rehearse the ballet before tonight!”

Jacques
held up a hand to the enraged Etienne. “A moment,” he said patiently.

He
dashed into the wings, grabbed Bella by the hand, and pulled her back onto the
stage. To Etienne, he pompously announced, “Bella and I will show these clumsy
dancers how really to waltz.”

“Jacques,
for heaven's sake!” she protested, mortified.

“You
must cease this insanity!” shouted Etienne.

“I
shall,” replied Jacques stubbornly, “but only
after
my ladylove and I
have our dance.”

Admitting
defeat, Etienne waved his arms, then nodded to the conductor. “Very well.
Proceed.”

Over
Bella's protests, Jacques drew her into his arms and swept her around the stage
in time to the poignant Strauss waltz. The rest of the company gathered to
watch as Jacques maneuvered Bella brilliantly, his steps smooth and rhythmic.
He dipped her into several deep bows, to the cheers of the troupe.

Oh,
he was such an irrepressible rogue! But, as always, Bella had to admit he was a
splendid dancer, waltzing her as skillfully as he had made love to her. Indeed,
he
was
making love to her even now, she realized with building
excitement. As they glided around, his sensual lips brushed hers half a dozen
times, and his dark, ardent eyes held her enthralled.

He
was so filled with life and love and vitality, and the fact that his glorious
youth might soon be brutally curtailed only intensified her bittersweet
feelings and made her want to cling to their passionate yet fragile
relationship with a fierce joy. Bella realized she was sinking fast, totally in
love with Jacques. How could she resist such masterful wooing?

Yet,
spotting several female members of the chorus observing them sullenly, Bella
felt a sudden chill. What if
she
were provoking the very jealousies that
would soon cause Jacques's murder? She glanced up at his beautiful, smiling
face, his shining dark eyes. Oh heavens, why had she not thought of this dire
possibility before? Would she ultimately become the one who was responsible for
his death?

***

This
question haunted Bella during the performance that night. She experienced
terrible anxiety over the threat to Jacques's life—although knowing the exact
date of his death did give her the relative comfort of knowing he would likely
be safe for the next few days. She still had a little time left in which to
convince him to leave the theater before it was too late.

The
performance went beautifully as Bella resumed her various roles with the
company. She felt fearful during the scene changes, not wanting to be wrenched
away from Jacques again, yet she had no sense of spinning through the
kaleidoscope again—

Was
Jacques right that she would remain here as long as she stayed close to him
emotionally? Yet how could she remain close when she feared her presence could
be the cause of his murder? She was hopelessly conflicted.

Right
before the finale, Bella was racing across the back of the stage in the
darkness when she felt a wire catch her ankle. She screamed and crashed
painfully to her knees. Within seconds Jacques was beside her, his hand
touching her shoulder, his taut features catching the dancing light.

“Bella
. . . Darling, what happened?”

“I
tripped,” she gasped. “Take care, there's a tripwire here somewhere.”