beautifully shaped hand, "Not opera dancers, Alfred, the opera dancer. Mademoiselle de Charenton is not to be mentioned in the same breath as her sisters."
If he were a man given to reflection, Alfred would undoubtedly have asked himself why it irked him that an opera dancer so celebrated for her beauty that her name was known even to the Earl of Winterbourne should have chosen to bestow her much sought after favors on his brother. To be sure, Justin was plump enough in the pocket, but he was not precisely the Golden Ball, and he was a younger son besides. Had Alfred cared to ask, the lady in question could have enlightened him. Sometime later that afternoon, disengaging herself from a passionate embrace, Suzette de Charenton, shining star of the corps de ballet and toast of all of masculine London, gazed appreciatively at her caller. La, the man was 60
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
handsome! She couldn't remember when she had last had a lover who could rival Justin's dark good looks and athletic build. One had only to look into the enigmatic gray eyes under their straight dark brows to be lost. Suzette had done just that one evening. Several months ago, despite the glare of the footlights, she had singled Justin St. Clair out among the audience. With his square-cut jaw and powerful shoulders, he exuded an energy and determination that set him apart from the other town beaux who were whiling away the evening leering at pretty legs. When she had first caught sight of him, he had been surveying his fellows with amused detachment, but later, unlike the others, he actually appeared to pay attention to the figures of the dance, applauding at those which revealed skill and artistry rather than a well-turned ankle or an enticing calf.
Initially attracted by his mere physical presence, Suzette had been intrigued by his interest and, hoping against hope that he would appear at her dressing room door after the performance. She had instructed her maid to deny all others access, no matter how importunate they became. Mrs. Huggins, grim champion of the opera's leading attraction, had had her work cut out for her. More tenderhearted than most of her sister artists who only wanted to snare the richest lord as soon as possible, Suzette customarily allowed an audience with all her admirers after a performance, leaving no one disappointed. Thus, there were howls of protest when Mrs. Huggins informed the crowd of her mistress's previous engagement. Mrs. Huggins remained 61
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
gracious but firm, accepting the floral tributes without moving an inch from her position in front of the danseuse's door. Convinced at last of the lady's determination to deny them even the briefest glimpse of her exquisite form and radiant smile, her admirers had drifted away in search of the inferior companionship of the other dancers. It was then that Justin St. Clair had appeared, and Mrs. Huggins needed no further explanation of her mistress's quixotic behavior. Even Suzette's rather enthusiastic description had not done him justice. Mrs. Huggins's heart, long dead to any masculine attractions, fluttered inside her ample bosom. It was not just St. Clair's splendid physique or handsome profile that caused all women, young and old, to sneak a second glance, it was the way he carried himself: erect, but without self-consciousness; alert, his glance taking in everything around him. And then there was his smile and his expression when he looked at someone, focusing all his attention on her as though he truly were interested.
"Does Mademoiselle de Charenton have a moment to acknowledge a devoted admirer," he inquired flashing a singularly charming smile at the dancer's grim defender.
"Well, she ... that is, I expect ... I shall inquire of her." And blushing like a schoolgirl, Mrs. Huggins disappeared to inform her mistress that he had at last arrived. Justin leaned against the door, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
If he were a man given to reflection, Alfred would undoubtedly have asked himself why it irked him that an opera dancer so celebrated for her beauty that her name was known even to the Earl of Winterbourne should have chosen to bestow her much sought after favors on his brother. To be sure, Justin was plump enough in the pocket, but he was not precisely the Golden Ball, and he was a younger son besides. Had Alfred cared to ask, the lady in question could have enlightened him. Sometime later that afternoon, disengaging herself from a passionate embrace, Suzette de Charenton, shining star of the corps de ballet and toast of all of masculine London, gazed appreciatively at her caller. La, the man was 60
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
handsome! She couldn't remember when she had last had a lover who could rival Justin's dark good looks and athletic build. One had only to look into the enigmatic gray eyes under their straight dark brows to be lost. Suzette had done just that one evening. Several months ago, despite the glare of the footlights, she had singled Justin St. Clair out among the audience. With his square-cut jaw and powerful shoulders, he exuded an energy and determination that set him apart from the other town beaux who were whiling away the evening leering at pretty legs. When she had first caught sight of him, he had been surveying his fellows with amused detachment, but later, unlike the others, he actually appeared to pay attention to the figures of the dance, applauding at those which revealed skill and artistry rather than a well-turned ankle or an enticing calf.
Initially attracted by his mere physical presence, Suzette had been intrigued by his interest and, hoping against hope that he would appear at her dressing room door after the performance. She had instructed her maid to deny all others access, no matter how importunate they became. Mrs. Huggins, grim champion of the opera's leading attraction, had had her work cut out for her. More tenderhearted than most of her sister artists who only wanted to snare the richest lord as soon as possible, Suzette customarily allowed an audience with all her admirers after a performance, leaving no one disappointed. Thus, there were howls of protest when Mrs. Huggins informed the crowd of her mistress's previous engagement. Mrs. Huggins remained 61
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
gracious but firm, accepting the floral tributes without moving an inch from her position in front of the danseuse's door. Convinced at last of the lady's determination to deny them even the briefest glimpse of her exquisite form and radiant smile, her admirers had drifted away in search of the inferior companionship of the other dancers. It was then that Justin St. Clair had appeared, and Mrs. Huggins needed no further explanation of her mistress's quixotic behavior. Even Suzette's rather enthusiastic description had not done him justice. Mrs. Huggins's heart, long dead to any masculine attractions, fluttered inside her ample bosom. It was not just St. Clair's splendid physique or handsome profile that caused all women, young and old, to sneak a second glance, it was the way he carried himself: erect, but without self-consciousness; alert, his glance taking in everything around him. And then there was his smile and his expression when he looked at someone, focusing all his attention on her as though he truly were interested.
"Does Mademoiselle de Charenton have a moment to acknowledge a devoted admirer," he inquired flashing a singularly charming smile at the dancer's grim defender.
"Well, she ... that is, I expect ... I shall inquire of her." And blushing like a schoolgirl, Mrs. Huggins disappeared to inform her mistress that he had at last arrived. Justin leaned against the door, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
Similar Books
