Page 43 of The Duke's Dream
“La Sylphide is more than a mere divertimento. It tells a story. You must be actors as well as dancers,” Langley said, and turned to Vestris.
“Your character, James, is a proud Scottish Laird. He is engaged to Effie, a down-to-earth village girl. Still, you cannot help your passion for the Sylph.”
Vestris kissed Helene’s hand. “I'm eager to be enchanted by you, Miss Beaumont.”
A wave of heat rushed to Helene’s cheeks, and she straightened her practice clothes. Why couldn’t she find a witty reply? The famous dancer would surely think her hopelessly gauche.
“The Sylph is a character of contradictions, Helene,” Langley said, searching her gaze. “You are strong but frail, sensual but chaste, in love but fiercely independent.”
Helene nodded briskly. Contradictions. Yes. Whatever it took.
“We will begin with the overture.”
Langley clapped his hands, and a stagehand brought a chair and placed it center left.
“When the curtain opens, James is asleep. La Sylphide kneels by his side. She observes him. He is dreaming, but she is alert and alive—emotionally remote but filled with desire. She flits around as the music quickens, agitating his peaceful state, and finally kisses his forehead. He awakens and pursues her, but in vain—after making him fall in love with her, she disappears up the chimney.”
Helene positioned herself by Vestris’ side.
“A glorious part.” The dancer winked at her. “To be asleep. See you in my dreams.”
When the pianist sounded the overture trill, Helene rose with a gentleport de brasas if stretching, then bent backward incambré. She lifted her leg into arabesque, leaned forward over the chair, and performedpetites battementson the tips of her toes, circling the sleeping James. She breezed through the melody until the first pirouette.
With the right impulse, she did a double, finishing in attitude derriere. Then came the allegro jumps, her forte. Smiling, she moved with the whimsical music.
“Stop!”
Helene halted. Wringing her hands, she approached Langley. Her slippers felt too loud on the silent stage. What had she done wrong?
“Was it the arabesque? I can make it higher.”
“The technique is perfect. You execute the steps flawlessly.”
Helene hugged herself, breathing through her mouth. Then what?
“You are trying to feel with your feet, but I want you to use your heart. You want James. Can you imagine the longing, the impossibility? A creature of air who falls in love with a mortal? You dare to approach him, even knowing he is from a different world. You desire him to the point of risking your life. Make the audience believe you are in love.” Langley said, his voice still calm.
Helene nodded, biting her lip as if she had understood. What kind of correction was that? She could oblige if he wanted her to jump higher or balance longer, but love? She felt her face contorting in a grimace and softened her expression. How did one show love? Ballet was about art and artifice—not impossible emotions.
Helene knelt by Vestris’ chair. The empty theater loomed like a colossus, its vast, shadowy spaces pressing in around her, while she fluttered like a butterfly, too small.
The music started again. How would a fairy in love act?
Pasting a dreamy smile on her lips, she elongated her movements, making them more languid. Her feet burned, but she performed the bourrées graciously. When it was time to kiss Vestris’ forehead, she lingered a second more. There. That should do.
When she finished the sequence, her gaze sought Langley.
The ballet master shook his head, his stern gaze slicing through her. “Once more.”
The silence of his disapproval felt louder than applause.
Embarrassment colored her face, and her eyes welled up. The experienced dancer must think her a fraud. And how could he not? Certainly, Sara and all the principals he danced with had no trouble feigning emotions.
Stomach twisted in knots, she knelt again.
It went on all afternoon — once more. Once more. No. No… Again. Again. Again. Try again. Again. More love, more feeling. More.
Helene finished the overture for the twentieth time. Her legs hurt from the stiff position at the beginning, her thighs alternated between shaking and tingles, and a bleeding in her toe had stained her new slipper.
