A Dance of Forbidden Desires

Chapter 5

Paul was never really sure of what had happened that evening because everything was so lovely, so extraordinary, and so different from his typical life. When he arrived, he discovered that the gate was unlocked, but no one was visible inside. He then sprinted up the steps and onto the terrace. Was she deceiving him then, in the darkness and silence? No, she was standing by one of the

Through some thick curtains, he could just make out her form as she entered the room beyond the windows. That explains why the terrace didn't receive any light. Following them and abandoning them along the way, he eventually arrived in a room that was as far from a hotel as he could conceive. Although it may have had the typical brocade walls and gold furniture of the "best suite," her subtle taste and presence completely changed the room's image, making it seem special to him. There were also a ton of flowers, including enormous white roses, tuberoses, lilies of the valley, gardenias, and late violets. A large couch dominated one side of the room behind the fireplace, and the light was dim and shadowed. What a sofa! With pillows stacked high, it was wrapped in a tiger hide and decorated with silver and gold embroidery. The cushions were unlike any he had ever seen before, right down to their shapes. Everything about it was new, odd, and entrancing.The woman sat down on the couch after reaching it. She was still dressed in all black, but it was a gauzy, clinging black that appeared to have a hint of purple below. And if he hadn't been certain that he had mistakenly believed they were green in the light, he would have said the eyes that were now staring into his were the deepest shade of violet."Come," she commanded. "You may sit here next to me and share your thoughts with me."And although she rarely had an accent, her voice was like a rich melody. He intuitively realized that she was not an Englishwoman, even though she might have come close to being one. Maybe she said everything clearly; nothing was muddled. She appeared younger and perhaps more lovely without her helmet. But what was youth or age? And what was beauty itself if a lady with neither a young nor attractive face could give him the impression that he was gazing at a magnificent goddess and give him thrills he had never imagined experiencing in his little life?Paul would have laughed them to scorn if someone had informed him that this would happen to him or that he would have this experience. In the beginning, he was generally fairly reserved around women and had no business acumen. It took him some time to get to know one well enough to even chat with them comfortably. And yet, here he was, starting a journey that had the feel of an adventure from the Arabian Nights.The pulse in his throat could be felt when he sat down and moved forward. At the time, everything looked quite natural, but later, he pondered how she had learned his name was Paul and how everything had come to happen.Half closing her eyes, she murmured, "For three days you have thought of me, Paul—is it not so?However, he was only able to scream "Yes!" as he ate her up with his gaze."How could I put it? We are both floating, making holiday plans, and trying to forget. And I suppose we ought to have a brief conversation together. Who knows?Oh, yes, Paul exclaimed.She said, "You know, Paul, you are attractive. So tall and erect like you, English, with golden-colored curls. When you were a baby, your mother must have adored you."I suppose she did," Paul answered.She is healthy. Your mother, the elegant woman?He asked, perplexed, "Very well—do you know her?""Long ago, I saw her, and I immediately recognized you—as well as your uncles, particularly the Lord Hubert."The phrase "Uncle Hubert is a rotter!""A—rotter?" the woman questioned. The question is, "And what is that?" She then grinned a heavenly smile.Paul was embarrassed. "Oh! It is rotten, you know, like Uncle Hubert, I suppose.She laughed once more. "You don't explain very well, but I get it. So you only superficially resemble Uncle Hubert, which is good.

Paul had envy. The reputation of Lord Hubert Aldringham was European—for some things, at least. I hope so," he responded emphatically. And you were familiar with him then, too?""I never said so," the woman retorted. I may have seen him twice at the wedding of a princess years ago. There it is.

had caused you to frown, we won't bring up Uncle Hubert again." and she chuckled as she leaned back.Paul perceived himself as being very youthful. He desired a variety of things that had never even materialized in his imagination before in order to prove to her that he was an adult. However, she kept chatting."And your cotelettes were rough, Paul, and that first evening you were so angry and despised me! Paul, you drank way too much wine for a young man like yourself.His fair, curly hair became red to the roots, and he hung his head.It was wicked of me, but I was so upset that I said, "I know I did."When she said, "Look at me," she bowed over him in a gliding, seductively sinuous cat motion.Then he turned to see, his large blue eyes still hazy with a veil of guilt.Baby Paul, you must explain to me why you were upset.How often did she mention him? pondering it slowly, as though it were music. Each time, it gave him great joy.He then found his courage.But how did you find out about it, or what I ate or drank? You constantly keep your eyelids down without raising them.Who knows? Maybe I can see through them when I want to. she chuckled.And you wish you could look right through them?Now that he was looking at her, she suddenly looked down as the most stunning clear pink suffused her soft white cheeks, nearly making her look like a tender girl. Paul was alarmed and inspired by the abrupt transformation.He repeated, "You wanted to!" with joy. You wish to meet with me?She said, "Yes," and turned to face him, this time with a twinkle in her eyes."Is it the reason you sighed there in the ivy then? How come you sighed?"She took a little pause before gently stating, "Several things. You appeared to be so youthful, so lovely, and so dormant.Actually, I wasn't asleep. Paul shouted. "Much more port would be necessary to put me to sleep than that." was what I was considering. Then he realized she hadn't intended that kind of sleep, felt foolish, and was puzzled.She assisted him."You haven't explained to me why you were furious all this time—angry enough to drink poor port. Paul, that was impolite of you."I was angry at you. He again turned red. "I was angry because I was so interested."He was reminded of a snake when she leaned back amid the purple cushions, her figure so flexible in its lines. Once more, she closed her eyes somewhat before saying, "It was fate, Paul. As soon as I walked into the room, I knew it. I ran away from you when I felt it again among the green trees, but tonight it is stronger than I am, so I called you in.Paul exclaimed, "I am so glad—so glad."She didn't say anything. Her narrowed-lid eyes glittered at him and seemed to see right into his own soul. And now he once again saw her mouth. It was straight, robust, chiseled, and tiny rather than drooping; the lower lip was rounded and slightly cleft in the middle. A mouth that looks like a delicious red flower.

Paul had almost been intoxicated with excitement at this point and had no longer any sense of time or place. It appeared as though he had always known her and that she had always filled every available space in his world.

Both of them remained silent for a while. He could tell from her enigmatic face that she was weighing

What objects are these? 

She suddenly leaped up with one of those graceful moves she is known for, full of cat-like grace.

Paul, listen," she commanded, speaking fairly quickly. You are so young, so young, and I'll probably hurt you. Don't you dare leave now, while there is still time? returning to Paris, even returning to England, after leaving Lucerne. anywhere that isn't me.

She reached out to touch his arm while looking up into his eyes. She also shed some tears. Now he could see that they were gray.

He had never been so moved in his entire life.

"I will not!" he exclaimed. Despite my youth, I have a strong will to live. And I'll take the risk of getting injured because I know that you are the only one who can show me how—"

His voice then broke, and he kissed her hand while bending over.