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6.
As far as Lucinda knew, Sir Frederick was a paragon of propriety and I had encouraged her to think so. In truth, he was a monstrous bi-sexual letch and he'd had his way with many of the dancers. He lusted after every new boy or girl but there was little to fear of that in the immediate future. He was totally absorbed in the choreography for his coming production. Once Lucida acknowledged the inevitability of her relationship with me, we would become a recognized pair. Once I brought her out, it would not be the done thing to trespass. He knew how territorial I could be.
I had tried to compare Lucinda's form to that of the other women but found it impossible. There was not an ungifted one among them and yet she outshone them all. By the end of the allegro it was obvious to everyone, that even in this exalted company, she was ready to solo. When I had first seen her, I'd been consumed by the desire to possess her beautiful body. I now saw new vistas of power and prestige on the horizon. If I were in control of the world's premiere ballerina, who in the world of dance would dare say me nay?
It suddenly dawned on me that such success might also be my undoing. At the moment, I held the upper hand with the poor young thing. After her debut though, she would acquire a following. All sorts of agents, barristers and patrons of the arts would flock to her. She would no longer be powerless and might then easily escape me. I saw now that my lust had driven me to make a dangerous mistake. I really should have seduced the girl with kindness. She was so naïve. She would have been loyal for life had I been wise enough to bide my time.
The one glimmer of hope lay in the banked embers of wantonness that I had discovered within her. Her little clitty was like an electric switch. Every time I'd flicked it, the heat inside her came on and melted her cool, demure exterior. Perhaps I'd blown my chance to make her fall in love but there was still time to make her fall in lust. I found a quiet spot and made a short call on my cell phone.
I waited until we were alone on the drive out before initiating the little plan that I thought might further my cause.
"I say. You're awfully quiet. You should be bubbling. You did splendidly today and just between you and I, there is a slight chance I may convince Sir Frederick to give you one of the solos in his upcoming production."
I got her attention with that. She gave me the first genuine smile I'd seen since the one when we'd met. So, I thought, all is not lost.
"Do you really think there is a chance?" she asked, hopefully.
"Yes, there really is. I know we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, Lucinda. I have behaved badly but only because I lost my head over you. I am quite thoroughly in love with you, darling."
"Oh, Dame Vera, I am so confused. I wish you didn't feel so about me. All I want is to dance."
"Let's put everything behind us and start afresh. And please, Lucinda, won't you call me Vera when we're alone?"
"I'll try, Dame….I mean, Vera."
"Things will be brilliant. You'll see. As a treat, I'm standing you to dinner and then we'll relax a bit at a very special little bistro."
"But I came with so little. I've nothing to wear out."
"Not to worry. It is ultra casual where we are stopping, all theatre and literary types, very artsy fartsy."
I was taking her to a lesbian club owned by my dear friend, Lady Rachael Holderight. Naturally her connection to the place was kept sub rosa to all but a select few. Hopefully, some exposure to the lifestyle might convince Lucinda that her body's yearnings were not to be so feared. I had called ahead and asked Rachael to be sure to make a fuss over Lucinda and if necessary to serve her a small mood enhancer.
She had the huge appetite of a dancer who is on her form. Soup, salad, a stuffed Dover sole and two servings of trifle were handled with asperity. I made sure that she had more than her share of the two bottles of wine. She was the tiniest tipsy when we reached the club.
Rachael flew to greet us as we entered. She embraced me warmly and then turned her brightest smile on Lucinda. One of God's gorgeous people was Rachael and whomever she smiled at felt grateful for the attention.
"Since you're with Vera you must be the talented new ballerina that everyone is talking about! I'll make them give you a special table. There's a crowd for the first show but I have some influence here. You are so lovely! May I call you Lucy? Both of you get settled and I'll be along soon."
Rachael faded into the crowd at the bar and a pretty, young hostess appeared to lead us through the dim violet room to a table directly in front of the stage.
"Who was that beautiful woman? How could she possibly have heard of me."? Lucinda asked naively.
"That was my dear friend, Lady Rachael Holderight. Don't look but the women at one of the tables we passed danced with you today. They have probably been talking of nothing but you, after you put them in the shade today in the studio."
"Dame...I mean Vera, have you noticed that there are no men in here?"
"No, there aren't any men but there are many beautiful, talented and important women here."
"Oh!" she said, with sudden comprehension, "I understand now."
Lucinda's enthusiasm had faded again. Rachael had kept her eye on us. A brief tug of my ear alerted her that I thought a special cocktail would be in order after all.
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