Page 29 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

I blushed. I blushed so hard it left me feeling light-headed. Then I realised his hand was still being clutched in my now sweaty one. I released him and blushed some more. Hail to the dark skin, shield against the embarrassing blush.

“Really? You enjoyed it?” I needed to stop sounding so breathless but wow. The director of the Royal Ballet just told me he enjoyed ourshow.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “There were some instances where the transition of the dancers’ movements could have been smoother, but it was enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the interaction between yourself and the woman who played the princess, and yourfouettes pirouetteswere excellent.”

“Thank you,” I got out past the overwhelming rush of pride bubbling inside me. “It means a lot hearing your opinion on our choreography. My business and dance partner, Dante Palmer, would love to know your thoughts on our production.”

Grumps stood by my side, silently watching me fidget with excitement. Then he inclined his head at the esteemed director. Umm, okay.

“Perhaps, Ms DuMont, we could have a future discussion about your intentions for this performance.”

My eyes widened a fraction. “Intentions?”

“Yes,” he said with a nod of head as he pulled a card from his coat pocket. “Please call me, we’ll talk.”

My hand was shaking as I took the offered card and clutched it tightly between my fingers.

“William, thanks for the invitation. Good night to you both.” he said before turning on his heels and heading down the aisle in the direction of the exits.

I stared at the card in my hand then raised excited eyes to William Bradley Snr. His lined face was blank; only his eyes, so identical to Matt’s, showed any emotion. Expectation. That was what I saw in his eyes and the excitement in mine died.

“Now, Madison,” Grumps started in a stern voice. “Let us put the past unpleasantness behind us. Tell my grandson that all is-”

“You son of a bastard.” I said coldly before spinning in my cute heels and hurrying after the retreating back of the Royal Ballet’s director. The last glimpse I had of Grumps was one of him with his mouth hanging open and a flush creeping up his cheeks.Bloody man!This must be where Matt got it from. That blasé superiority where he believed he could buy his way out of trouble. Just throw money at whatever problem and watch it disappear. Well, I would not be bought. Grumps could take a flying leap into hell.

“Excuse me,” I tapped the director on his shoulder when I caught up to him. He turned around with a polite expression in place. I held his card out to him, my heart was breaking as I did it. “I’m terribly sorry but this is a mistake.”

“I beg your pardon?” he asked.

Still holding the card out, I spoke quietly. There were some people close by. “I’m not exactly sure what pressure Mr Bradley has exerted over you, but I’m not a fool. You’re the director of Britain’s largest ballet company. You have world class dancers in your company, have put on highly acclaimed performances. Do you really expect me to believe you’re interested in the efforts of my company?”

“Ms DuMont-”

“Did he blackmail you or something?” I interrupted, already thinking of worst case scenarios. “Or has he promised to make a sizeable charitable donation to the company?”

“I can assure you-”

“Because if that’s what took place all I can do is apologize. My company will succeed on its own merits, not from back door deals. That’s not the way we work. I have integrity and pride, and I’m sorry but I can’t accept your card.” My voice was hoarse from shame, anger, disappointment, and I couldn’t keep what I felt off my face.

“Ms DuMont,” he said kindly then paused for a moment. “William Bradley is one of our patrons, and yes, he did insist that I come down here tonight,”

A little wounded sound came from the back of my throat. That bastard of an old man. I was going to kill Matt’s grandfather. I would probably get life imprisonment. Matt would break our engagement and testify for the prosecution as would all the other witnesses. Grumps was old, but he still had a few inches on me. How would I kill him? Asphyxiation. I would knock him to the ground then proceed to strangle every last drop of life out of him. How long would that take?

“But that was all he did, Ms DuMont. I truly did enjoy tonight’s performance and although there are many ways in which you could improve this work, I can see great promise in what your company has created. At the Royal Ballet we are always on the lookout forpotentially exceptional choreography, and that is what I witnessed tonight.”

I blinked quickly. “He didn’t blackmail you?”

“No.” he replied, sounding amused. “He told me this performance was a must see and that was all. My decision is not influenced by outside parties.”

I peered at the card between my fingers. “I can keep this? I can call you to discuss things?”

“Yes, Ms DuMont, I sincerely hope you will.”

Oh God. I was going to have a panic attack.

“Thank you.” I gushed. “You have no idea what this means to me. I’ll call you. I mean, I can call you, right? You said I could.” And there went all chances of appearing like a well-rounded, mature, professional ballerina. I sounded like a damn groupie willing to toss those panties in his face.

He laughed at me and nodded slowly. “Call me and we’ll talk. Good night, Ms DuMont.”

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