Chapter 5

Odette had done everything in her power to avoid Mérante. After their first collision, she hadn't been able to get him out of her head. She had learned his schedule and worked around it. At first she wasn't sure why he bothered her so much. It dawned on her a few weeks later: had she not been injured they'd have been pas de deux partners.

It wasn't unheard of for pas de deux partners to become romantically involved. There was always a bit of a scandal at first, but afterward it was accepted, almost as if it were expected. She'd never found that kind of intimacy with any of her previous partners (probably because they'd have enjoyed each other's company more than hers) but the thought of what she could have had with Mérante had sent her further into herself. For the first time since her accident she realized that she'd lost not only a career, but maybe a partner, love, a family…

She looked around the practice studio, which was cleaner than it had ever been. She'd mopped it at least three times while ruminating over lost chances. No sooner had she stepped into the hall than she was struck by a serenade. "Ah, my dear Odette," Odette rolled her eyes. One of Auguste's many idiosyncrasies he rarely spoke a sentence, but rather would sing in his rich baritone. "It's time to find you a costume for the servant's ball!"

Odette's blood ran cold. She had forgotten about the annual servant's ball on Christmas Eve, where the servants dressed up in costumes and were "treated" to an evening of finery. It had made Odette uncomfortable when she was a dancer. She'd always felt most of the dancers were making fun of the servants, and the thought of having to participate on the other end filled her with dread. "No, Monsieur Vaucorbeil, I will not attend the servant's ball this year."

Auguste stared at her in shock, unable to comprehend why she wouldn't want to attend. "But of course you will. It is tradition."

"Thank you, Monsieur, for your," she stalled a moment, trying in vain to maintain an air of respect in her assertion, "kind offer. But I will not attend."

"But I insist! Come, let us find you a costume." He took her arm opposite her cane and led her off toward the costume hall, and Odette knew she could not protest further. Her life, she was reminded, belonged to l'Opéra.

Four nights later, Odette stood in the grand hall of l'Opéra in an elaborate blue silk gown that was at least fifty years out of fashion. Despite the dated cut, the color was a flattering contrast to her pale skin and dark hair. She had taken time to twist her hair into an elegant chignon and wore the simple string of pearls Gustave had given her the year before.

As she feared, the dancers spoke haughtily to the other servants as they sipped champagne passed around by the youngest dancers, many of whom were hardly more than servants themselves. She took a flute that was offered, but discretely dumped nearly all its contents into a nearby plant. Odette suspected her stomach would protest at the rich foods offered tonight after nearly a year of simple bread and broth for meals. She walked slowly throughout the room, trying her best to disappear in the crowd. Odette had nearly reached the doors to the practice hall when Monsieur Pepita announced the dancing would begin. Stricken, Odette ducked quickly behind the curl of the stair to avoid being partnered for a dance.

She stood motionless, watching the dance, fighting the desire to spin and twirl with the music. It was one of her favorite dances, and she was about to give in to the music when she overheard Mérante, who was standing above her on the stairs.

"Lucien, I don't see the point of the servant's ball."

"It's tradition, Louis. The servants look forward to it all year."

'Hardly,' Odette thought darkly.

"It's degrading, Lucien, honestly. To dress them up and parade them about? They know their stations…"

Mérante was no longer in earshot, but Odette had heard enough. 'Well, at least I know where I stand with Monsieur Mérante, and I can put him out of my head.'

Odette's steps were heavy as she reached the Le Haut residence. She let herself in through the servant's door and was surprised to come face to face with Hélène.

"Ah, Odette. Regine was engaged this evening. Her fiancé's family will be joining us tomorrow, I expect the dining room to be impeccable." Odette nodded her understanding. "I have decided to move you to the downstairs servant quarters. Here is your key. You may move your things after you've finished the dining room. There will be a new girl in your room tomorrow evening. Be sure it is ready for her." Odette sighed, happily. Only one more night of climbing the stairs.