A Dance of Forbidden Desires

Chapter 6

She trembled a little before withdrawing. She broke off the tops of a beautiful bunch of tuberoses that she had picked up. She said, placing them into his hands and those to his heart, "There, take them." "Take them and leave—and think about me. You made a decision. Dream of me tonight and keep in mind that tomorrow will come.

She then retreated silently from him, exiting through a different door before he realized what had happened.

Paul didn't move. His brain swam, and the room swam. The white blooms were still pressing against his heart when he stumbled out onto the patio under the starry night sky.

He must have spent hours walking about. When he eventually returned to the hotel and his room, the grey morning was beginning to break over the still world.

He dozed off there without ever having a dream! Youth and health are wonderful things, after all. He was also worn out.

When he next awoke, the enormous sun was high in the heavens. The aroma of tuberoses, which were spread on the pillow next to him, filled the space. His blue eyes eventually started to understand what was going on, at which point he remembered and leaped up. Because, after all, wasn't this the start of his first proper day?

Paul's dilemma came after a very late breakfast when he realized he would soon be seeing the lady in black.

Because he didn't know her name, he was unable to summon her like a regular guest. It was fantastic—I did not even realize it earlier.



His entire existence was filled with excitement to meet her again, but he had no idea of her name or any other details about her.

He decided it would be easiest to enter the hall and check the Visitors' List right away.

There weren't many guests in the hotel, so it wasn't difficult to determine that "Mme. Zalenska and Suite" might be what he was looking for by making an educated guess at the room numbers. Zalenska—perhaps she was Russian after all. How about her Christian name? He was eager to learn that.

The silver-haired servant approached from behind him and stated, with his respectful, dignified bearing, "De la part de Madame," while simultaneously delivering Paul a letter as he stood there staring, his fair face puckered into a furrow of thought.

What might it include?

He would read and see, but this was not the time for speculating.

He walked away from the servant and turned to face the light as he tore open the packet. The paper was thin, not in English, and featured the tiniest sphinx in the corner.

Paul, I'm young today, and we need to view the blue lake and the green trees. He read, "Morning. I'll call for you in my launch if you come to the landing toward the station. Paul, you will grow up too, so teach me! Give Dmitry the response.

Tell Madame that the answer is "Yes, right away."

And when he finally reached the landing she had pointed out, he continued walking on air. As soon as the launch arrived, she was lounging behind a green-striped awning.

The two were essentially alone as it was a well-planned launch, the comfortable deck chairs were in the bows, and the steering was done from an elevated seat behind the cabin. The lady wore gray today, and it oddly suited her. Under her big gray hat, she shone at him with mischievous eyes.

To be able to gaze at her unrestrictedly, Paul pulled his chair a little forward and turned it.

He exclaimed with joy, "How kind of you to send for me.

She had a beautiful smile. "Was it? I am impulsive; I only wanted you to make me happy; I did not consider what was best for you. Paul, I want to act foolishly today so I may see the light dance on your curls and watch your eyes dance.

Paul scowled, as if she thought he was a child.

Then the lady leaned back and laughed, and golden bells could be heard.

She said, "Yes, you are a baby," in response to his question. Paul: "A great, big, beautiful baby."

Paul might have pouted if he had been a girl.

She moved away from him and looked across the lake, which was incredibly lovely thanks to the springtime hues.

Paul, can you make out the green of those beeches along the water? A copper beech stands out among the gentleness of the black firs and the blue beyond. He is the king of them all. In a location like that, I would like to construct a chalet and move there every May to read fairy stories.

For the first time in his life, Paul saw the world through new eyes. He focused just on the beauty of things rather than considering how sportingly useful they might be. His body was being overtaken by an unending bliss—a feeling of contentment and fulfillment that he had never even dared to imagine.

He thought she was younger and gayer than before, just like Isabella, and more seductive than ever! Then, Isabella—how far away she appeared—caused him to gasp for air as he continued to think about her. He would never be able to love anyone else, yetThe woman muttered, "Don't think about it, then. "Living under a clear sky, be young like me."How was it that she always knew what he thought? He reddened and mumbled, "No, Princess, I won't think of it—or anything but you."Who gave you permission to refer to me in that way? She exclaimed, "Daring one!" I believe there have been conversations among hotel staff.Paul responded, "No," perplexed. "I called you Princess just because you seem like one to me—but now, I guess from what you say, you are not plain Madame Zalenska."Her eyes temporarily became cloudy. Madame Zalenska does travel with you; nevertheless, you may address me anyway you like.He grew more confident."I feel like I want so much right now—I want to know why your eyes were on the Bürgenstock so taunting through the woods.You see, they almost drove me insane, and I chased after you like a dog after a hare.I anticipated that you would, because your face when you looked up at me was uncontrollable. I escaped because I was the real hare.After a brief period of silence, during which she suddenly looked down, she moved the subject away from these private matters. She directed his thoughts in new directions, had him observe the trees and sky and the exquisite beauty of everything, and then, using lightning strikes, led him into uncharted theories about feelings and the nature of reality.Paul's perception of the world appeared to change. Her beautiful eyes were the only thing that broke up the weird whiteness of her face as she sat back in her chair, nearly motionless. She did not display any malaise or attempt to explain the peculiar nature of the circumstances. It had the air of being the most natural thing in the world to spend a day alone with a young man you've never met while gazing into his eyes from atop an ivy-covered terrace.Paul believed that since she was a queen, nobody should question anything she did.As they approached a little village, she would land and have lunch there. And then, from behind the cabin, Dmitry materialized and was directed to go ahead, ensuring that when they entered the small hotel, a straightforward meal was ready for them.Paul was completely engrossed by this point. He had never spent such a morning in his entire life. His creativity was enhanced. New landscapes were visible to him. His mind was almost spinning. Was it Paul Verdayne who was sitting across from this exquisite woman, soaking in her voice and eavesdropping on her quiet, inquisitive thoughts?What were the banal, everyday thoughts that had been on his mind up until this point? Why did he ever waste time on them?

He was suddenly awake.When the meal had come to an end, he called the waiter to request payment because the amount was, in his opinion, small enough. But a fresh expression around the woman's mouth changed to one of impatience, with an instantaneous flash in her eyes.

They were today a pristine, steel-gray color.She swiftly replied, "Leave it to Dmitry." "Money is never anything I think about. These particulars irritate me, so why ruin my day?Paul, though, was English and didn't like it when women bought him food. His mouth also altered, and he appeared intractable.He began, "I say, you know—"After that, she turned on him.She remarked arrogantly, "Understand immediately. "Either you leave me alone and don't disturb me with your English customs, or you pay these miserable francs and return to Lucerne alone!"