Chapter Nineteen
Later that night, Leah was sitting in Jim's new room, sipping tea and occasionally reading her book as Jim worked at his desk.
"How was your day?" He asked, not looking up from the papers in front of him.
"Oh, I was formally invited to the ball on New Year's," she told him. "Me and 'a partner of my choice.'"
"That's good," he said. "I trust you still do not mind going with me?"
"Of course I am still going with you silly," she said, turning back to her book. "I have no desire to go with anybody else."
Leah woke late on New Year's Eve, as they were not practicing or exercising that day. She lounged in bed, waking up completely, before pushing her blankets away and climbing out. She pulled on her robe and washed her face. She scrubbed her teeth clean and wandered over to Jim's room. His bed was made and he was gone already. There was a note left for her on his desk though, and Leah picked it up.
'Leah, I have a great many things to do today. I will pick you up from your room just before the ball begins. Have a good day – Jim.'
Leah set it down and looked around Jim's space. It was as neat and organized as the man himself. Leah wondered if he still used the small apartment above the spice shop. She went back to her own room and got dressed, wanting breakfast.
She met Angie downstairs and they agreed to do each other's hair later on. Angie asked if they could do it in Leah's room, as there was a lot more space than in the dormitory.
"Of course," Leah said. "Bring your dress with you too."
"Alright. But I have to get back to the dormitory before the ball starts. Alain is picking me up there," Angie said.
"Who?" Leah asked and Angie blushed.
"Lord Montblanc's son," she said, a trifle reluctant.
"The one you were spent the whole night dancing with at the gala?" Leah asked, a wide grin on her face and Angie nodded.
"It is nothing," Angie said quickly.
"Oh hush Angeline," Leah scoffed. "I am not going to tell anyone. Have fun tonight."
"And what about you?" Angie countered. "Have you smartened up and agreed to go with Jim? Or are you going with Victor for God-knows what reason."
Leah scowled at her. "I am going with Jim. He asked me first this time."
"Good," Angie said. "Make sure you are with him when the midnight bells ring. I know I will still be with Alain when they chime."
Leah made another face at her friend, though her stomach did a back flop. When the bells did ring tonight, would Jim actually kiss her? Or would he avoid it like he usually did?
Later that day, Leah climbed out of the tub and dried off. She was so clean that her skin was still pink and smelled pleasantly of jasmine. She tied a robe around her body and stepped into her room just as someone knocked on the door.
Angie came inside wearing a similar dressing gown and carrying a long dress bag. She hung it up on the closet door and turned to her friend. "What first?" She asked.
"Hmm, I think we should do make up first, then we can get into our dresses and then do our hair." Leah walked over to her vanity and pulled her various make ups from one of the drawers. They were finished in a couple of minutes, using a gloss to make their lips shine as a finishing touch.
They put their dresses on, Angie had chosen a fancy ball gown in a light blue to match her eyes. The skirt was wide, but not very long, reaching the tops of her satin dancing slippers. The sleeves were long and graceful, covering her arms down to her fingertips. There was a lot of embroidery on the bodice and sleeves, all in a blue thread one shade darker than the dress. Leah pulled Angie's hair into another bun, more elaborate than last time with a few pieces of hair curled into ringlets surrounding her face.
Leah's gown was midnight blue, shining a bit lighter in the candlelight. The dress was not satin, but it had a beautiful sheen to it. Her straps were as wide as her hand and off-the-shoulder. The skirt was almost as wide as Angie's but longer, it bunched up near the small of her back and hung long, dragging on the ground behind her a bit. Angie used hot irons to curl her hair into near-ringlets. Some was gathered into a messy twist on the back of her head and she left the rest to hang long down her back. Leah put on her dancing slippers, and they were finished.
They admired themselves in the tall mirror for a moment. "Tonight is going to be a good night," Angie declared before noticing the time. "But I have to go," she said. "I will see you in the ballroom shortly."
Leah closed the door behind her and wandered back to the mirror. She toyed with some of her curly hair and hoped it would stay curled for the night.
A short time later, a knock on the door interrupted her train of thought. Leah smiled excitedly and opened the door. Her heart fluttered and her breath caught in her throat. Jim's tuxedo was as black as his hair, with navy trimmings. His shirt was black as well and his tie was the same colour as her dress. He looked more handsome than Leah had ever seen him.
It looked like Jim had the same reaction to her image. He stared for what seemed like a long time. He blinked once and their connection was broken for the moment. She let him in the room, and he stayed close to her.
"You look beautiful," Jim said, his voice hushed.
"You look beautiful," Leah said back, meaning it.
Jim grinned. "I have something for you," he said and held out a small box.
"Oh Jim," Leah said softly. "Thank you."
She opened it to find a tiny, fine gold chain with a small, square sapphire pendant set in gold. It was beautiful.
"Oh….Jim." Leah said, shocked. "You shouldn't have gotten me this. I have nothing for you," she said, upset.
Jim shook his head. "Nonsense. I know that you have no money. You work for the food on your table and the roof over your head. I, on the other had, am paid to work, and have money to spend on you."
Leah smiled sadly. "I do not deserve you Jim."
Jim took her hand. "It is I that does not deserve you."
Leah laughed, a little bitterly. "Me? I have been nothing but a nuisance since I met you. I am more trouble than I am worth." She looked down at her feet, believing her words. "And you have been wonderful. Look at me, how can it be you that does not deserve me?"
Jim pulled her over to the tall mirror and stood behind her, holding her shoulders. "I am looking at you," he said gently. "And I see a woman that is more beautiful to me than life itself." He took the necklace from her and set it around her neck, locking the clasp together. It sat just below the hollow of her throat and matched her gown perfectly. Leah wanted to cry. She turned around, but before she could say a word, Jim cut in.
"It is time to go downstairs," he said. Leah closed her mouth and nodded silently. She took his arm and they left the room together.
The ballroom was decorated this time, delicate flower garlands wrapped around everything. Hundreds of tiny candles lit up the room and made the golden statues dance. There were men and women in immaculate uniforms drifting about the room, offering flutes of champagne and small finger foods to the dressed-up guests. Jim and Leah only stood still to look around for a moment before joining the others on the dance floor. The orchestra had just begun, but the space was already full of couples dancing.
They danced for quite some time before taking a break. Leah recognized a few ladies from the party after the play and they recognized her. They chatted for a while, the elderly ladies commenting on Leah's dress and her partner.
"Now when will we be seeing the both of you on stage together again, hmm?" One of them was asking. "I was at that play, it was the most romantic one I have seen in a long time."
"Oh," said Jim. "I am sorry Madame, but I will not be appearing in any more performances. It was a singular event."
"Well, I am sorry to hear that, young man." She turned back to Leah. "Why were you not in the last ballet?"
"I was very sick, Madame," Leah told her. "And I was not well until shortly after the ballet."
"Leah," Jim said, close to her ear. "Would you like some champagne?"
"Oh, yes please."
"I will be right back," he said and melted into the crowd. The elderly ladies watched him go.
"Is he treating you all right?" One of them asked her.
Leah smiled. "He is, very much. He took care of me when I was sick."
The ladies smiled, satisfied. Just then, the music died down and the noise of the conversations came to a halt. Leah looked up to the stairs where the managers were standing, waving for everyone's attention. Once the room was silent, they put their hands down.
"Thank you for coming tonight, we are happy to see you all here to celebrate the New Year with us."
"We are also happy to announce that a new patron has joined our little Opera House."
They paused while everyone applauded.
"He is here with us tonight, and has requested the dance of honour with our own new rising star, Mademoiselle Leah Bourdeaux."
A pause for more clapping, louder this time, as Leah stepped onto the now-empty dance floor. She smiled and curtseyed gracefully and clasped her hands to wait for her partner.
"We are pleased to introduce our newest patron, Lord James Caviez."
It was Jim. Jim the stagehand, Jim her stagehand stepped onto the dance floor and gave a sweeping bow across the room from her.
Leah restrained herself from letting her jaw drop. The music started, a sweet melody and instinct took over. They glided towards each other, locked in each other's eyes. They reached each other at the same time as they reached the center of the room, the emotional sparks between them almost visible. Jim put his hand on the small of her back and took her other hand in his.
They begun to dance, becoming one with the music, and swept across the empty floor. The rest of the guests were quiet, watching the couple before them. Leah looked up into Jim's eyes. They were so blue, brighter than they had ever been.
"Lord Caviez, is it?" She asked him quietly.
"My parents did not agree with my choices, but they did not disinherit me. I was their only child. They died a short time ago," he said, just as quiet.
"Why did you not tell me?"
"You were still sick when it happened. I did not want to trouble you further. Plus, I thought I would make it a surprise." He smiled at her. "That necklace was my mother's," he said.
"Oh Jim," she whispered deeply.
They did not speak further, letting the music take over. They danced as if they were two parts to a whole, complementing each other perfectly.
The music ended too shortly, it seemed, and the ballroom erupted with applause. Jim and Leah bowed and curtseyed, respectively, and left the dance floor. The managers were still on the stairs and they were the last to stop clapping. They made another speech, But Leah did not hear it. She was still ensnared by Jim's eyes, she had trouble looking away.
"Would you like to dance again?" he asked, his voice was far away.
"Yes," she said, her voice just as muffled. "Always."
They quickly joined the other couples on the rapidly-filling dance floor. The orchestra started up again and the dancers fell into the patterns of steps and twirls. Leah was able to break her gaze away from Jim from time to time. She saw Angie, again with the handsome Lord's son, the dancer's cheeks were pink and her eyes were sparkling. Carlotta was dancing with one of the richer patrons, sending haughty looks to those around her. Victor was standing off to the side, a small group of young ladies with worshipful faces surrounding him. Victor's eyes met hers and he looked away quickly. Leah felt a twinge of guilt, but knew she had done the right thing. Perhaps Victor could find happiness with one of the young ladies. Leah was where she wanted to be, in the arms of her stagehand.
A wave of sadness tried to wash over her, but she pushed it away, wanting to enjoy the ball. But a thought kept returning to her. Jim was a nobleman now, far higher in caste than she would ever be. She was just a ballerina's daughter after all.
Some time later, how long, she was not sure, Jim leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "It is getting late. The ball is nearly over. Would you like to leave before the hallways become busy?"
Leah thought of the midnight bells and sighed. "All right," she answered reluctantly.
Jim entwined his fingers with hers and led her towards the huge doors. Leah held onto his hand gratefully and tried to ignore the people around her. The hallways were quiet compared to the ballroom and Leah's ears felt as if they were slightly plugged.
They were silent the whole way upstairs, and unlocked the door to Leah's room, Jim following her inside. Once inside, Leah shed her slippers and freed the bit of hair twisted up into a bun. Jim watched her, confused. Her face was sad and her movements sluggish.
"Leah, what is wrong?" He asked her after a moment.
She looked up at him from across the room and he was surprised to see her fighting back tears. "You are a nobleman now," she said quietly. "You are not a stagehand anymore. You will have to leave here, and have to find a noblewoman. I am just a ballerina."
Jim laughed softly. "I am not going to change just because I have more money to spend now. I am not a stagehand anymore, but I am investing a good deal of my parent's money into this House. I will be here every day, just as before. Besides," he said. "A ballerina was good enough for Jim the stagehand and a ballerina will be more than good enough for Jim the nobleman."
Leah's tears fell freely now and sparkled in the soft light. She wanted to believe him, but noblemen did not marry ballerinas. Noblemen married daughters of rich and powerful men, and beautiful girls that were in their social class. And Leah was neither of these.
Jim walked up to her and took her by the shoulders, shaking her a little. "You do not get it, do you Leah?"
"What do you mean?" She asked, a little frightened at the passion in his eyes.
"I love you!" He said loudly, and then quieted. "I love you, you silly girl."
Leah, still distressed and unable to believe him, stepped back. "But you have never even kissed me," she said quietly, almost stubbornly.
"I am sorry Leah," he said, taking a few steps back as well. "I had an odd childhood. I had developed strange ideas when I was young and kept to them my whole life. And I have always believed that a man should kiss no other woman then the one he loves."
"Oh," Leah said. Ouch, she thought.
"Besides," Jim said, continuing. "I have already kissed you, during the play."
"That doesn't count!" Leah all but wailed.
Jim chuckled and swiftly walked towards her, gathering her in his arms. "Then I will have to make it count," he said gently.
Jim bent closer and finally, oh finally, pressed his lips against hers. He kissed her deeply and passionately, and Leah's heart, along with her knees, melted. Jim held her tightly, keeping her upright and kissed her until she was out of breath and all time around them stopped.
"Then I will have to make it count," the wretched stagehand muttered and placed his filthy lips on the angel's.
The Phantom lurked behind the full length mirror and watched his love kiss another man. He curled his gloved hands into fists and crushed the black roses he had been holding.
How could that man dare to kiss another man's property? How could she do this to him?
He began to suspect that he was wrong about his angel's feelings for him. She had run away from him the last time he had tried to bring her down into his home. Then she had gone and gotten sick, staying away from him, and staying close to the awful stagehand. Him, it was his fault. If he was not around, his angel would surely come back to him. All he had to do was make it so that the man was not around anymore. He would make it so that none of her so-called friends were around anymore.
She would have no choice but to come back to him.
On the other side of the mirror, Leah and Jim were still intertwined with each other. Their lips locked together, they were oblivious to the threatening presence beyond the mirror, and to the ringing of the midnight bells below them.
