He nodded slowly and then turned to Claudette. “Set her up in the lodgings next door and find a costume that’ll fit her. She can start on the line, and we’ll see how she does there.” He turned back to Diana. “I expect you to learn the numbers quickly. If you miss even a single practice, you’re gone. Cause any trouble? You’re gone. Do as you’re told, and you’ll get along just fine.” He dragged his gaze down her one last time, and Diana could hardly believe her good luck.
“Thank you! Oh, thank you. You won’t regret this.”
“We’ll see about that.” And then he added, “Welcome aboard.”
“This way, Miss.” Claudette was dragging Diana away before she could say another word.
She’d done it!
“I’ve never seen any ballet quite like that before, but I must admit you have raw talent. You will be rooming with Sally. She’s only been with us a few months. Most of the other dancers will treat you well enough, but you must put away your fancy dress and manners. Dancers aren’t known for welcoming competition, even those who haven’t just stepped out of Mayfair.” She patted Diana on the arm. “You’ll learn.”
“I didn’t bring my belongings.” Diana clutched her reticule nervously. “Do you think Mr. Whitley will mind if I start tomorrow? That way, I can return and settle in properly.”
“Monsieur Pip is the man to please, so first you must attend this afternoon’s rehearsal. Monsieur Whitley was not joking about that. All the dancers are required to reside in the lodgings next door. Rent will come out of your wages.”
“But of course.” Diana nodded. “I’ll tell my family after…” She smiled weakly.
Why wasn’t she more excited to have landed a position? This was her dream. “Is Mr. Pip difficult to please?”
“Pip’s the director.” Claudette shrugged as though the answer was obvious. “All Directors are difficult to please. He knows his business, though. Just do what he says, and you’ll be surprised at what you learn.” She pushed open a door. “This is where the dancers spend their leisure time.”
Scantily clad ladies either lounged about on fainting couches or sat along a long row of mirrors. Various costumes draped over chairs, and heavy perfume and perspiration hovered in the air.
“Ecoutez, mademoiselles! Please welcome Diana, our newest dancer.” Claudette announced. “She will be joining us for today’s rehearsal. Be kind and help hers'il vous plait.Sally, you find something for Diana to wear during rehearsal and also show her to the chamber she’ll be sharing with you. You are responsible for teaching to her the feature number.”
“Of course.” A petite blond lady nodded.
Diana shivered at the awareness of several sets of heavily made-up eyes scrutinizing her. She had the strangest sense of having experienced this before—and recently. Only on those occasions, she’d been standing with her sister in various ballrooms, at garden parties, and the occasional musicale.
Some of the gazes were distrustful, others outright disdainful, and a few welcoming. It wasn’t going to be easy to win them over.
But she would do it.
“You’re taller than me, Diana, but I’m sure we can find something to fit you in here.” Sally waved her across the room, rifled through a trunk, and then sent Diana behind a barely-there privacy screen to change into a tight bodice paired with a very short skirt that barely covered her behind. Diana spent what remained of the morning learning a challenging routine but had no doubt she’d be able to perform it adequately.
She ought to be thrilled.
Being here was not all that different than she’d imagined it would be, and even though a few of the dancers grumbled at the changes involved in adding another person to the line, that grumbling was mostly half-hearted.
With the exception of an older raven-haired dancer named Maude of whom Diana doubted could ever be won over. The woman looked down her nose at her, but Diana merely shrugged her off and took her position.
It wasn’t necessary for every person she met to like her. Diana truly wasn’t interested in making Maude’s insecurities into her problem. She had enough troubles without doing that.
Mr. Pip hollered his instructions, and a strange buzzing began low in Diana’s belly. Confusing thoughts taunted her with whispered doubts.
She could make herself fit in here. This was a realm she’d never known before. Despite Maude and a few of the dancer’s suspicions, Diana was sure that she could carve out a place for herself here—a world that was foreign to her—a world very different than the one she’d grown up in.
But she couldbelong.
Eventually.
One of the dancers caught her eye and sent her a tentative smile. Her name was Holly, and she reminded Diana of one of the Mossant sisters.
And the two beauties—who also happened to be the most popular dancers—had Diana recalling how Miss Augustine and Lady Adriana always held themselves and laughed quite unselfconsciously.
“And five, six, seven eight…” Mr. Pip counted down, and Diana performed the number easily. It was almost as enjoyable as waltzing with Zeke—
But she could not dwell on Zeke, who she’d last seen laying in the dirt in Lady Ravensdale’s Garden—drops of blood at the corner of his mouth.
