Dancing On Air (31 page)

‘Yes, I love him.’

‘You will throw away my proposal? To be his mistress?’

‘I would renounce everything to be his.’

‘He will not marry you. He will use you and when he has lost interest he will cast you aside as a child does a broken toy.’

‘Mayhap, but I am already his and nothing will make me turn from his side.’

She had already given herself to Lord Gainswith. Vincent felt the fury bubble from within. He flung the brandy balloon at the fire. Glass shattered over the floor and the flames flared tall as they consumed a few drops of the liquid.

Damn her and damn me for caring
.

He strode out of the study. He needed to expel Lisette from his mind. He opened a small door at the end of the corridor and descended down a flight of stairs. When he reached the bottom he stopped at the nearest door on the left. From his waistcoat pocket, he took out a key and slid it into the lock. With a twist the door opened.

‘Good evening my pet, I thought —’ But the rest of the words stuck in his throat as he scanned the empty room. ‘Bessie! Bessie are you there?’ For a moment he thought that the girl might be hiding from him, but then he spied the tiny broken window. How on earth had she managed to escape from such a small space? As he neared he saw the window frame was broken and several drops of blood had run down the white wall. He peered out the opening, but there was no sign of her.

Vincent stepped back and ran his hand through his hair. Bessie would find help; she may even go to the police. The whole situation would probably be no more than bothersome. What authority would believe her over him? She was nothing, a dancer, a step away from being a prostitute. No, there would be little trouble from Bessie. However, the authorities would find Marie’s body soon. It was only a matter of time. Things could become difficult. Perhaps it was time for a holiday. A little jaunt around Italy could be the ticket. He could disappear for a time; maybe stay away until the next season. Just until everything blew over.

But if he left, he would lose Lisette forever. She had refused him and if he left she would have won. And that would be unacceptable. No one ever refuses Lord de Vale. A delicious idea began to take form. He would have her yet. Lisette would be his wife and mother of his children. He would take her with him. He would get what he wanted and in the process teach that upstart Gainswith a lesson.

Vincent ran upstairs. ‘Jacobs... Jacobs, where are you man? I’m going on a journey. Quickly, come help me pack!’

As Lisette neared the chorus dressing room she heard muted but agitated voices coming from within. Frowning, she gave Evander a questioning look before opening the door. The two figures inside jumped with fright and one of them then scurried under one of the dressing tables.

‘Sorry Sally, I did not mean to give you a fright,’ Lisette said as she stepped into the room, Evander right behind her.

‘Thank God you are both here. I don’t know what I should do.’

‘Whatever is the matter?’ Lisette asked.

Sally walked over to the dressing table and crouched down. ‘It’s Bessie, and she’s in a terrible state.’

Lisette knelt down next to her friend. ‘Bessie, everything will be all right. Please come out and we will send for a physician.’ She held out her hand and gave the girl an encouraging smile. Without taking her eyes off Bessie she asked, ‘When did she arrive?’

‘Only a few minutes ago. I barely recognised her. She ran in here like a wild thing and hid under here,’ Sally replied.

‘Shall I fetch a doctor?’

‘In a little while, Evander. I think we should try and coax her out of hiding and try and establish what exactly has happened,’ Lisette answered. ‘Won’t you come out, Bessie, and tell us what has happened?’

Bessie’s head snapped back and forth as she scanned the room. She looked like a panicked animal that was desperately looking for an escape. Gingerly, she reached out and took Lisette’s outstretched hand.

‘You were right, Lisette... I should never have gone with him. The man is a monster,’ Bessie whispered as she crept from her hiding place.

‘You lied when I came to de Vale’s house to see if you were well, didn’t you?’

‘Yes. He said that I would regret it if I didn’t do exactly as he said. I was meant to pretend that I was happy and wanted to be there. Vincent said that if you suspected otherwise I would be punished.’

‘I’m so sorry that I didn’t see through your performance. I’m so sorry that I didn’t rescue you.’

‘It’s not your fault — you tried to warn me and I wouldn’t listen. He’ll be so angry when he realises I have escaped. Please don’t let him find me... Please.’

‘You’re safe,’ Sally said as she helped Bessie to the nearest chair. ‘We won’t let him hurt you, I promise.’

A great bang and commotion came from the stage door.

‘Here, Lord de Vale, you can’t come in here now. Everyone has gone,’ Tommy shouted.

‘Out of my way, you old fool!’

Bessie began to tremble. ‘Oh dear God, he’s here. He’s here and he will kill me this time,’ she whimpered.

‘Nonsense,’ Lisette said. ‘Sally, take Bessie and hide. When all is clear go to the constabulary as quick as you can and ask for Detective Constable Reeves.’

From the darkened corridor came Tommy’s voice. ‘As I said, you can’t be here, my lord. I’m sorry, but —’ Tommy never got to finish his sentence. There was a crash and a thud of a body hitting the floor.

‘Tommy! We must see if he’s all right,’ Lisette said.

‘Soon, but for now we must go. Come Lisette, we will draw him away from the girls,’ Evander said as he grabbed Lisette’s hand and pulled her to her feet. ‘Sally, do as she said. Be silent and hide.’

Evander and Lisette hurried from the room. Looking down the corridor, Lisette could see Lord de Vale striding towards them. Hand in hand, Lisette and Evander ran back towards the stage.

‘You can’t hide from me, Lisette. Come to me now, and I might let the young pup live,’ de Vale taunted as he twirled his cane.

Lisette looked over her shoulder as Evander urged her on. As she turned her head she caught a glimpse of the walking stick in de Vale’s hand. The realisation settled in her stomach like an icy stone. She always suspected that Vincent was dangerous, but in that instant she knew that he was capable of anything, including murder.

‘Come Lisette, we must hurry. I do not wish to face him in this narrow hall. Besides, we must give Sally space and time enough to escape.’ Evander looked down at his love. ‘What is it?’

‘My aunt is dead.’

‘How do you know? She may have just gone on a journey.’ Evander helped her through a jumble of props.

‘Lord de Vale carries her walking stick. My aunt goes nowhere without it. She depends on it to walk. My aunt is dead, I know it now. She is dead and Vincent has murdered her.’

‘You can’t be sure.’

‘I am, Evander — I feel it in my heart,’ she said as they ran onto the stage.

Evander caught her around the waist and briefly kissed her hard on the lips. ‘I need you to do what I say. I will hold him off here while you run.’

‘I will not leave you. We will face him together!’

‘No, I want you safe. If anything happens to me, go to Alistair... Go to my brother. He knows about us and my love for you. He will protect you.’

Lisette shook her head. ‘No. Vincent is an evil man and I will not leave your side.’

‘You must. I will worry about your safety if you are here. Go now and hide or run for help. Just don’t let him find you, no matter what happens.’ Evander released her.

‘No! Come with me.’

‘Go Lisette! Now!’

Reluctantly, Lisette started to back away towards the other side of the stage, her eyes never leaving Evander’s. Suddenly, the hollow sound of clapping echoed from the wings.

‘How very touching. The brave young hero defending his damsel in distress. And what an appropriate place to play out such roles. Obviously, Lord Gainswith, you have the flair for the dramatic,’ Vincent said as he slowly walked onto the stage.

‘You have no business here, de Vale.’

‘Oh, on the contrary. I have decided to take a trip, perhaps to sunnier climes. The English winter can be so cold and depressing.’

‘Then I will wish you bon voyage and will not detain you a moment longer.’ Evander watched as Vincent circled him in an unhurried pace.

‘Amusing Lord Gainswith, very amusing indeed. However, I intend to take Lisette as a travel companion. After much thought, I have decided to offer her the one thing you did not: marriage. It appears, as I have reached my middle years, I have been lax in begetting an heir.’

‘I’m afraid that will not be possible.’

‘Why ever not?’ Vincent asked with a thin smile.

‘Because Lisette is my wife. We were married at Temperly Edge some time ago.’

‘You jest.’

‘I do not. Lisette is Lady Gainswith, a fact that is known to my family. So, I’m afraid you must look for another companion elsewhere. You shall not have my wife.’

Evander steadied himself for an attack as he saw rage contort Vincent’s face. De Vale’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the cane and Evander wondered if he would snap the wood in two. Instead, Vincent drew back his arm and threw the cane towards Evander like a petulant child. Evander was forced to step aside and the stick clattered harmlessly to the floor. Vincent launched himself at Evander, trying to grab him around the neck and throttle him, but Evander brushed his hands away. Evander threw a punch. It caught Lord de Vale across the jaw and sent him staggering backwards. He straightened up and spat the blood onto the stage.

‘A lucky punch.’

Evander shrugged. ‘We’ll see, old man.’

The words sparked Vincent on. Again he attacked but Evander easily countered and evaded his blows. They wove to and fro across the stage, jabbing, ducking, and Vincent receiving the lion’s share of the blows. Evander was younger and far more agile on his feet and de Vale appeared to reel under his attack.

Lisette peered out from the opposite wing of the stage. She was hidden behind some of the props, the glittering trees from the fairy grotto. She should have run, but something made her stay... Evander made her stay. She could not think of her own safety when he was at risk. She bit down on her bottom lip so she would not make a sound and distract her love.

Again Evander delivered a blow. This time it caught Vincent under his chin. The force of the punch not only snapped back his head but also lifted him off his feet. He fell through the air and landed in a crumpled ball not too far from Lisette. Holding her breath, Lisette sank lower between the painted boughs and waited.

Evander strode forward and stopped somewhere near the middle of centre stage. He stared into the bleeding face of de Vale.

‘Yield. Put this folly behind you and leave, whilst you are still capable of walking,’ Evander said as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. A small trickle of blood smeared across his skin and down his white cuff. Even though he had delivered most of the blows, a couple of Lord de Vale’s had connected. ‘It is done, over; and Lisette is lost to you.’

Vincent dragged himself up to a sitting position. There was blood down his shirtfront, his jacket dirtied and torn, and his left eye was already beginning to swell.

‘You see, that is where you are wrong. This isn’t over, and I will leave with Lisette,’ he answered with a bloody smile as his hand reached for a nearby lever.

Lisette stood up from her hiding place. ‘Get back Evander, get back!’

But it was too late. De Vale pulled down the lever and instantly the trapdoor opened under Evander’s feet. For an instant he flailed and then disappeared through the hole in the stage.

‘No!’ Lisette cried as she ran several steps forward, but Lord de Vale had gained his feet and he stood between her and the trapdoor.

‘Now Lisette, enough of this foolishness. Come with me... It’s time to leave.’

‘Never!’ Lisette spun around and ran as fast as she could. Ahead was a long ladder that led up to one of the catwalks high above the stage. Nimbly she scaled it. On reaching the top she looked down. To her dismay, Vincent was already climbing towards her.

‘Lisette, do not run from me. Come here at once.’

With a shake of her head she called back, ‘No my lord. If you want me...you shall have to catch me!’