the dancing master

8/14/2019 The Dancing Master

1/45


2/45

Books by Julie Klassen

Lady o Milkweed Manor

Te Apohecarys Daugher

Te Silen Governess

Te Girl in he Gaehouse

Te Maid o Fairbourne Hall

Te uors DaugherTe Dancing Maser


3/45

JUL IEKLASSEN

5


4/45

2013 by Julie Klassen

Published by Behany House Publishers11400 Hampshire Avenue SouhBloomingon, Minnesoa 55438www.behanyhouse.com

Behany House Publishers is a division oBaker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Prined in he Unied Saes o America

All righs reserved. No par o his publicaion may be reproduced, sored in a rerieval sysem,or ransmited in any orm or by any meansor example, elecronic, phoocopy, recordingwihou he prior writen permission o he publisher. Te only excepion is brie quoaions

in prined reviews.

Library o Congress Caaloging-in-Publicaion DaaKlassen, Julie.

Te dancing maser / Julie Klassen p. cm.Summary: Regency era dancing maser Alec Valcour wans o bring new lie o he

sleepy litle village o Beaworhy in remoe Devonshireand o one young womansresless hear Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical reerences.ISBN 978-0-7642-1070-9 (pbk.)1. Dance eachersFicion. 2. Young womenFicion. 3. Mohers and daugh-

ersFicion. 4. WidowsFicion. 5. VillagesEnglandFicion. I. ile.PS3611.L37 D36 2013

813 .6dc23 2013032378

Scripure quoaions are rom he King James Version o he Bible.

Tis is a work o ficion. Names, characers, incidens, and dialogues are producs o he auhors

imaginaion and are no o be consrued as real. Any resemblance o acual evens or persons,

living or dead, is enirely coincidenal.

Cover design by Jennier Parker

Cover phoography by Mike Habermann Phoography, LLC

Auhor represened by Books and Such Lierary Agency

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


5/45

In honor o

Aurora Villacora

ballroom dance insrucor

a he Universiy o Illinois

or more han weny years.

Tanks, Miss V.

Your lessons are orever wih me. Dance seps, yes, buso much moreeiquete, manners, respec, and grace.

Your classes were he mos enjoyable o my college years.

I will never orge you.


6/45

Mr. J. Dawson, proessor o dancing and encing,

has he honour o announce his reurn om London;

a he same ime begs mos respecully o say, ha he has profied

by he insrucion and experience o he mos able proessors.

Mr. J. D. has acquired all he new and ashionable dances,

he celebraed gallopades, Spanish dances, ec.

and hereore hopes o meri a porion o public paronage.

Te Wes Brion,1829

Quadrilles, walzing, minues, Counry Dancing compleely augh in

six privae lessons or one guinea by Mr. Levien, Dancing Maser.

26 Lower Charlote Sree, Bedord Square.

A selec Evening Academy wice a week, wo guineas a quarer.

Also a Juvenile Academy every Wednesday and Saurday afernoon:

schools and amilies atended.

Te (London) imes, 1821

Wha place is so proper as he assembly-room o see heashions and manners o he imes, o sudy men and characers,

o become accusomed o receive flatery wihou regarding i,

o learn good breeding and polieness wihou affecion,

o see grace wihou wanonness, gaiey wihou rio,

digniy wihou haughiness, and eedom wihou leviy?

Tomas Wilson, Dancing Maser,An Analysis o Counry Dancing, 1811


7/45

7

Prologue

M 1, 1815B, D , E

W

e observed he firs o May as we always did. We dressed

somberly and rode in he black barouche rom Buckleigh

Manor ino Beaworhy. I was radiion, my moher said.

Bu I knew she had anoher reason or visiing he village on ha

paricular day. Lady Amelia Midwiner waned o make her presence

knownmake sure no one dared orge.

We drove firs o he flower shop and bough wo bouqueslily

o he valley and orge-me-nos.

From here our coachman, Isaacs, haled on he corner o High

Sree and Green, as he knew o do wihou being old.

Te young groom helped my moher aligh. She urned o look

back a me, bu I ignored her, sullenly remaining in he carriage. Tis

was her radiion, no mine.

She crossed he sree and laid one bouque beore he marke hall

ha cener o rade on an island o green amid he cobbled High Sree.

Te place where he died.

Forge-me-nos.Never orge.

She reurned o he carriage, hough we did no immediaely de-

par. We sa or a ew minues in silence, waiing or he church bells

o ring a midday.


8/45

The Dancing Master

8

Clang, clang, clang . . .

As he las peal aded away, she used one dainy finger o move

aside he velve curain and survey he sree. For a momen her aceremained impassive, bu hen her mouh pared in surprise beore

siffening ino a grim line.

Wha is i? I asked, rebellious hope rising in my conrary hear. I

slid over o ha side o he carriage and looked ou he window.

Tere, beore he village green, an elderly woman as hin as a sparrow

sood. She held her skir alof wih one hand and raised her oher hand

high. She looked his way and ha, as hough waiing or someone,and or a momen I eared she would be lef sanding alone in he

middle o he sree.

Ten, rom behind he marke hall, an old man hobbled ino view. He

ossed aside his apron and bowed beore he woman. And she in urn

cursied. She gave him a girlish smile, and decades flew rom her ace.

He offered his hand, and she placed hers in his. ogeher, side by

side, hey slowly walked up he High Sree in a curious rhyhmsep,shuffle-sep. Sep, shuffle-sep. Ten hey aced each oher, joined boh

hands, and urned in a circle.

Wha are hey doing? I breahed in wonder.

My moher snapped, Wha does i look like?

Who are hey? Do you know?

She made no answer.

I glanced over and saw an array o emoions cross her ace. Irria-

ion. Pain. Longing.

Who are hey? I whispered again.

She kep her gaze rained ou he window. On he couples rereaing

figures as hey coninued heir odd shuffle-sep up he sree.

My moher inhaled deeply, clamping an iron fis over her emoions,

whaever hey were. A Mr. and Mrs. Desmond, I believe.

I don hink I know hem.

No, Julia. You wouldn. Tey . . . live ouside o own.

I el my ace pucker. Ten, don hey know abou . . . he rule?

Tey know.


9/45

JULIE KLASSEN

9

I glanced a her, bu she avered her eyes, using her ahers walking

sick o knock agains he roo.

A he amiliar signal, he coachman called Walk on o he horsesand we moved away.

We reurned o Buckleigh and paused a he esaes churchyard.

My moher alighed firs, waving away he hovering groom and his o-

ered umbrella. I exied afer her, and when he young groom offered

his hand o help me down, I smiled fliraiously and enjoyed waching

his ace redden.

Te day had urned pewer grey. A cold drizzle pricked hrough myhin cape, sending a shiver up my neck.

I ollowed my moher pas lichen-encrused graves and lising mark-

ers. We sopped beore he amily plo, oulined in brick and se wih

impressive headsones like dull gems in a macabre bracele. Tere I

read her brohers epiaph.

Graham Buckleigh, Lord UpcotBorn January 4, 1776Died May 1, 1797

Beloved Son & Broher

One and weny years old, I murmured. So young.

Yes, she whispered.

How did he die? I asked as I did every year, hoping she would

one day ell me he whole sory.He was killed in a duel.

Who killed him?

I preer no o speak his name.

My gaze wandered rom he headsone o he uncle I had never

me, o setle on ha o he aun I had never me eiher. She died in

childbirh beore I was born.

Lady Anne remellingBorn December 5, 1777Died December 9, 1797

Beloved Daugher & Siser


10/45

The Dancing Master

10

I nodded oward her sisers headsone. She died less han a year laer.

Yes.

My moher ben and laid he bouque o lily o he valley on herbrohers grave.

Lily o he valley. ears and humiliy.

She sraighened. We ough no arry, Julia. Your aher is no a

all well.

Yes, I am surprised you waned o come oday.

I is radiion.

I sen her a sidelong glance. You believe in carrying on only yourown privae radiions, I see.

I reerred, o course, o May Day, which had no been celebraed

in Beaworhy or weny yearshough I had heard whispers abou

he old radiion and is demise.

Moher urned oward he carriage wihou reply, and I ried o

ignore he sing o rejecion as easily as she ignored my sharp ongue.

Wha was he duel ough over? I asked, ollowing her.She did no answer. Ahead o us, he waiing groom opened he

carriage door.

Why do you no pu flowers on your sisers grave? I asked. Why

only your brohers?

Wih a glance a he groom, my moher said quiely, We shall dis-

cuss he mater anoher ime. No now. We have lef your aher alone

oo long as i is.I doubed he would mind my absence. Bu hen, I doubed he cared

or me a all.

My aher lef ushe nex day. And in he afermah o deah, o

mourners and bombazine, o unerals and he selecion o headsones,

we buried my quesions along wih my aher, knowing hey would

someday be resurreced.


11/45

11

Her Ladyship had been ou riding and was dressed in a

long riding habi . . . She danced capially and made use

o her riding whip in he mos playul manner.

A New Mos Excellen Dancing Maser:he Journal o Joseph Lowe

Chapter 1

N 5, 1816B, D , E

Julia Midwiner joined he inhabians o Beaworhy gahered be-ween he village church and inn. Alhough Julias moher, LadyAmelia, had pu a sop o he May Day celebraion years ago, he

village coninued one long-held radiion. Her moher rarely atended,

bu she allowed Julia o go along wih heir neighbors, he Allens. Each

year on he fifh o November, he villagers encircled a massive sone,

some six ee by our and weighing more han a onhis esimaed

by a supposedly renowned man o science no one had ever heard o

when he visied Beaworhy several years beore.

Ta long-ago year, Julia had sood a he edges o he crowd, wach-

ing as he man o science sudied he rock wih grea ineres. He peered

a i hrough a magniying glass and declared here was no sone like

i in all o he Wes Counry, nay he whole o England. He scrached

his chin and pondered aloud how i had come o be here.


12/45

The Dancing Master

12

Julia could have old him. Any o he villagers could. Bu hey en-

joyed his beuddlemenha hey knew somehing his learned man

did no. Every child in Beaworhy had been old he ale siting aophis grandahers knee: Te sone had allen rom he devils pocke as

he ell rom heaven o hell. And ha was why, every year on he fifh

o November, he church bell ringers urned he grea sone overo

keep he devil away.

Bu his year was differen. Te bell ringers could no urn he sone,

despie heir sraining effors. Julia, sanding here wih Sir Herber

Allen and his sons, wondered i he bell ringers had grown oo oldand eeble.

Men rom he crowd joined in, using surdy poles or leverage, and

srengh buil in he clay works, orges, and fields. More sou poles

were brough and more menSir Herber and his sons among hem.

Bu sill he sone would no budge.

Sir Herber speculaed he ground had rozen early. Ohers shook

heir heads and decried such an earhly explanaion. No, i could meanonly one hing.

Te reurn o he devil.

Te mos supersiious among hem declared i a poren o dire hap-

penings o come. Bu almos everyone agreed on one hingchange

was on he way.

Julia Midwiner hoped hey were righ.

Anyhing o shake up he plodding days, endless church services,and somber silen meals. Days spen on needlework or chariy, and

evenings spen reading Fordyces Sermons o Young Women, Te Mirror

of the Graces, and he ew boring novels her moher deemed proper

or young ladies. Her only diversion was o escape ino he company

o her bosom-riend, Paience Allen. Or her horse, Libery.

Bu November, December, and January passed wihou he hoped-

or change, and nineeen-year-old Julia grew increasingly resless. Te

mourning period or her aher had passed as well, hough he pall

sill lingered. A leas now she could qui rying o gain he mans

approval.


13/45

JULIE KLASSEN

13

On a grey February day, Julia and Paience rode ogeher hrough

he exensive Buckleigh Manor grounds. Tey ollowed a rail hrough

a wood jus beginning o awaken afer winerivy and moss begin-

ning o green, bu he gnarly ree branches overhead sill bare. A ew

brave birds warbled rusy melodies, perhaps hoping, as Julia did, ha

spring would arrive early.

Ahead o hem, he wood opened ino a meadow, and beyond

loomed he wes hedge. A wickedly delicious hrill hreaded up Juliasspine, and a grin lifed one corner o her mouh. She leaned low over

Liberys neck and, wih posure and voice, urged he mare o gal-

lophe riding crop she held mere affecaion, like a mans walking

sick. She would never srike her horse.

She vaguely heard Paience shou ha he hedge was oo high. Bu

as Julias horse was aser han hers, and Julia wice he rider, her riends

words were he aines buzzing in her ears. She rode confidenly, ascomorable in sidesaddle as a man riding asride. Exhilaraed by he

wind, he speed, he sense o reedom, she gave Libery her head. Te

beauiul horse galloped or all she was worh, sraigh or he hedge

ha bordered her mohers esaeJulias confinemen. Beyond i lay

he whole o Devonshire, and England, and he world.

One las ime, Paience shoued, Is oo high!

For a flash o a second Julia regreted risking he legs, he lie, o herbeloved Libery, bu i was oo lae.

Libery jumped, and or a blissul momen Julia el he weigh o

he world all away. She was flying. Escaping.

Te horse hudded o he spongy ur on he oher side and Julia braced

hersel, keeping her sea wih effor. Te horse bobbled slighly, and Julia

hoped Libery hadn lodged somehing in her hoo upon impac.

Wih a Whoa, Julia reined her horse o a walk, hen nudged her o

urn back wih he slighes pressure o ribbon and knee. A ew yards

away sood a silebuil o allow pedesrians bu no livesock o pass

he hedge. She would use i o dismoun and check Liberys hooves,


14/45

The Dancing Master

14

hough she would no be able o remoun wihou help. No mater.

She could walk her horse back.

She unhooked her knee rom he sidesaddle pommel, reached downo grab he op o he sile, and slid o is op sep. ucking he riding

crop beneah her arm, she genly picked up one oreleg, hen he nex,

inspecing he hooves.

Paience came riding oward her a ew minues laer. Shed had o

ride ou he wes gae a quarer o a mile away o reach her.

She looked a Libery wih concern. Is she all righ?

I hink so, yes.And you?

Julia grinned. Never beter.

Paience didn reurn he grin, bu a leas she didn scoldno

like Julias moher was sure o do i she heard o he jump.

Releasing Liberys leg and unying he rein, Julia began walking

her horse home. Paience rode slowly alongside.

Nearing he wes gae, voices drew her atenion and Julia pausedo lisen.

Paience haled her horse. Wha?

Julia held up a hand o silence her. Te voices were coming rom

he oher side o he old gae lodge, long abandoned. Te voices did

no sound amiliar. Or pleasan.

Looping Liberys rein around he branch o a nearby ree, she

whispered o her riend, Wai here.Julia, don, Paience hissed. I could be dangerous.

Ignoring he warning, Julia ipoed across he damp ground, hold-

ing orh her riding crop like a weapon. She crep along he wall o he

sone building and peered around he corner.

I ook her eyes a momen o regiser he scene beore her. A beey

man held back a hin young man in workmans atire and fla ha. Mean-

while anoher man, wiry wih lank blond hair, harassed a young woman,

aking her hand and spinning her around.

Come on, love, he urged in an oily smooh voice. Les see you

hop. Dancin in he spiri, I believe your lo call iha righ?


15/45


16/45

The Dancing Master

16

gae and rowned. He hrew down he crop and urned o his broher.

Come on. Tis was supposed o be a privae pary, bu our uninvied

guess have spoil i.Wih a nasy shove, Joe pushed he young man o he ground and

ran wih surprising speed or one so bulky, ollowing his broher ino

he wood.

Te slim young man scrambled o his ee and made as hough o

pursue hem, bu he girl grabbed his arm. Benjamin, don. Le hem

go. Im all righ.

He pulled his gaze rom he rereaing figures o scan he girls ace.Are you sure?

Yes. Perecly. She urned o Julia. I know you mean well, miss.

Bu you ough no have sruck him. We are o urn he oher cheek.

Julia el her brows rise. You may urn he oher cheek all you like.

Felon Wilcox will only srike he harder nex ime.

Te girl gave her a poined look. As you did?

Julia was incredulous. I was rying o help you.Te young man laid a hand on he girls arm and looked a Julia. I

am graeul, miss. ruly. Only ashamed I could no help ess mysel.

Don eel oo bad, Julia consoled. Te Wilcoxes are local wres-

ling champions. You are no he firs man o be laid low by hem, and

you won be he las.

He picked up his allen ha and bowed. Im Ben Torne, and his

is my siser, ess. Again, we hank you, Miss Midwiner.Tey knew her name, Julia noiced, hough she hadn known heirs.

She had seen hese wo beore in passing, she believed, bu had never

me hem.

Te riders finally reached hem, reining in wih a sorm o hunder-

ing hooves and flying dir.

Are you all righ? James Allen asked as he graceully dismouned,

handsome ace ense.

Yes. Quie.

Beside him, his broher, Waler, swung his leg across he saddle o

dismoun. He caugh his boo in he sirrup, hopped o keep his bal-


17/45

JULIE KLASSEN

17

ance, and finally loosed his boo wih a desperae jerk, which sen his

ha flying o he ground.

Miss Torne sepped orward, ben o rerieve i, and held i ou ohim. Are you all righ? she asked genly.

Walers ace reddened. Yes, miss. Tank you, miss.

Jamess gaze remained on Julia. Paience ound us ou riding and

old us you were in rouble.

Had she? Julia hadn even heard her ride away. Te Wilcox brohers,

she explained. Tey were bohering hese wo. Bu heyve gone now.

Ben Torne nodded. Tankully, Miss Midwiner and her ridingcrop convinced hem o leave.

James Allens air brows rose. Riding crop? Julia, ha was no wise.

Who knows wha sor o revenge hose wo migh resor o.

Well, hankully you rode up when you did.

Waler, she noiced, was sill saring a he young woman called ess.

Te girl was lovely, wih a wild, wood-sprie look wih long reddish-

brown hair umbling abou her shoulders, and big brown eyes.Poor Waler. Te all young man was ever awkward around emales.

Bu apretyemale his own age? Heaven help him. Wih his unremark-

able ligh brown hair, sad eyes, and unorunae ears, Waler possessed

a swee ace, bu no one a woman was likely o hink handsome.

Beore Julia could make inroducions, Paience came galloping

up. Her hair, even airer han Jamess golden locks, danced around her

flushed cheeks. Poor Paience. Te proper young lady was usually sosedae. Julia had never seen her ride so as. Even so, she had apparenly

been unable o keep up wih her brohers.

Winded, she called, Is everyhing all righ?

Yes, my dear, Julia said. Tanks o you. Tank you or calling in

he cavalry.

On Sunday, Julia Midwiner sa in her usual pew in S. Michaels,

her moher on one side o her, her riend Paience on he oher. Te

recor, Mr. Bullmore, sood above hem in he raised pulpi, droning


18/45

The Dancing Master

18

on abou somehing or oher. Julia wasn really lisening. Te recor

liked using lofy words, and many o hem, apparenly enamored wih

he sound o his own voice. Worse ye, he man reminded Julia o heraher. Whenever he looked a her, his eyes were cold and disapprov-

ing. Like her ahers had always been.

Julia noiced he recors son was visiing again rom Oxord. Cedric

Bullmore planned o ollow his aher ino he church. She wondered

where he migh secure a livingsomewhere ineresing, ar away?

She decided she would have o make more o an effor o flir wih he

young man. In ac, she would begin ha very afernoon.Eligible son or no, Julia preerred when Mr. Bullmore lef he ser-

mon making o dear old Mr. Evans, he curae. On special holidays,

Mr. Evans sill led worship a he church on he Buckleigh esae or

any who wished o atendusually jus her, Lady Amelia, he Allens,

and a small cluch o servans and enans. Everyone else, i seemed,

preerred he newer village church.

Atenion sraying, Julia glanced over her shoulder across he aisle.Tere she noiced a man she had never seen beore, siting in Mr. Ram-

says pew a ew rows back. Te young man had dark hair and a handsome

profile, a good nose, firm chin, and srong cheekbones. Bu his mos

sriking eaure was his unamiliariyhe was norom Beaworhy.

She leaned nearer Paience and whispered, Who is he?

Paience, whod acually been lisening o he sermon, roused hersel

rom concenraion long enough o ollow Julias gaze. I don know,she whispered back.

Wihou removing her duiul gaze rom he Reverend Mr. Bullmore,

Lady Amelia laid her gloved hand genly on Julias knee, signaling her

o si quiely.

A ew minues laer, as he congregaion rose o sing a hymn, Julia

noiced a woman o perhaps ory-five, in somber black, sanding

beside he unamiliar man. His moher, Julia assumed. And on he

womans oher side, a slender girl o seveneen or so. His siser, she

guessed.

She hoped.


19/45

JULIE KLASSEN

19

Afer he service finally concluded, Julia ollowed her moher down

he aisle o hank he recor. Mr. Bullmores cold eyes slid pas Julia o

res on Lady Amelia.He smiled a her and said, Your ladyship, migh I inroduce a

ew newcomers o he parish? He gesured oward he rio sanding

nearby.

Her moher poliely inclined her head and urned o ace he woman

in black.

Lady Amelia Midwiner, may I presen Mrs. Valcour, Mr. Ram-

says siser.Te woman smiled wanly and dipped her head. Julia saw no re-

semblance o Mr. Ramsay, he prim, round solicior who sood a ew

ee away.

How do you do, Lady Amelia said in a one ha did no invie

reply.

Te recor coninued, And his is her daugher, Miss Aurora

Valcourhe prety girl dipped a graceul cursyand her son,Mr. Alec Valcour.

Te well-dressed man bowed wih impressive address. A pleasure

o mee you, your ladyship.

Julia blured, Are you visiing Mr. Ramsay, or have you come o say?

Her moher siffened a he orward quesion, ye urned o ac-

knowledge her. And his is my daugher, Miss Midwiner.

Again Mr. Valcour bowed and he ladies cursied.Julia smiled a he Valcour amily. A pleasure o mee you all.

Welcome.

Mr. Valcours moher was handsome, Julia decided. Tough he

sad downurn o her cheeks, and even her nose, kep her rom being

prety. And black did no flater her complexion. His siser, however,

was lovely, wih brown hair and brigh blue eyes se in a swee, air

ace. Mr. Valcour was perhaps an inch or wo shy o six ee and ah-

leically builbroad shoulders narrowing o a rim wais. His dark

hair was wavy, where his sisers was sraigh. From he ron, his ace

was even more atracive han i had been in profile. Full lips, well-


20/45

The Dancing Master

20

ormed slighly belled nose, and blue-grey eyes. He was no only more

handsome on closer inspecion bu older as well. Perhaps as old as

five and weny.Julia gave him her mos effecive smile.

Bu insead o smiling in reurn, or blushing, or any o he responses

she was accusomed o, he merely blinked and looked away.

Um . . . and as o your quesion, Mrs. Valcour replied, sending a

quick glance oward her broher, Mr. Ramsay has kindly invied us

o say or as long as we like. Jus how long, we have ye o decide.

Ah, I see. Julia nodded, hough she didn see. No really. I was,afer all, a vague answer, bu she knew beter han o press he mater.

She guessed she was already in or a lecure on prying as soon as she

and her moher were ou o earsho.

Mrs. Valcour wen on o hank Mr. Bullmore or he sermon and

his warm welcome.

While he woman spoke o he recor, Julia sepped nearer her

moher and said quiely, Paience has invied me o go riding hisafernoon, and hen perhaps o do some needlework or he ladies

aid sociey. You don mind, do you?

On Sunday?

Yes, she is mos insisen. Julia urned o Paience, who was alking

o a litle red-haired girl nearby. Are you no, Paience?

Paience urned and blinked her pale blue eyes. Pardon me?

I was jus elling Mamma ha you have asked me over or he

afernoon. You have your hear se upon i, don you?

Her riends lips pared. I . . . I do, yes, she alered, hen added

more convincingly, Nohing would please me more.

You see? Julia beamed a her moher. Girls our age enjoy alking

and sharing secres. Did you no do so when you were a girl? I was

somehing Julia could no imagine o he woman o hree and ory

years, bu she was deermined o win her way.

Her mohers eyes clouded. I had ew riends o such an inimae

naure.

Bu hen, you had a siser, whereas Paience and I do no.


21/45

JULIE KLASSEN

21

Yes, I did, Lady Amelia said, her voice srangely clipped. Very

well, you may go. Bu have he groom escor you.

Mamma, ha is hardly necessary. Is less han hal a mile rom oursables o Medlands. I would ake ommy longer o saddle his horse

han o ride here and back.

I insis.

Oh, all righ. Bu don make him wai or me. One o he Allens

can escor me home.

Very well.

riumph surged wihin her breas. As she urned away, Julia al-lowed hersel a secre smirk o saisaciononly o find Mr. Valcour

waching her.

She paused, and or a momen heir eyes me. He held her gaze

wih a knowing look ha old her he had overheard heir conversaion

and was no ooled. She opened her mouh o say somehing, bu he

urned away wihou a word and escored his moher and siser ouside.


22/45

22

By 1706, even dour Philadelphia had a dancing and

encing school, despie proess by he Sociey o Friends.

Lynn Maluck Brooks, York Couny Heriage rus

Chapter 2

On his firs ull day in Devonshire, Alec Valcour lef he village

church sill seeing Miss Midwiners lovely ace in his mind.She was beauiul, yes. And she knew i. She reminded him

o oo many spoiled young ladies he had me who enjoyed fliring

pracicing boh heir seducion and dance skills wih him, bu only in

hopes o snaring a more suiable genleman in uure.

Alec had overheard enough o Miss Midwiners conversaion wih

her moher o know she was up o somehing. Her coy manipulaion

had brough o mind Miss Underhill, and Alec had urned away, de-

ermined o pu boh young women rom his mind.

He had more imporan hings o consider.

Already missing London, Alec walked hrough diminuive Beaworhy

wih his moher and siser, and an uncle he barely knew. As hey passed

he inn, he glanced a he upper windows, wondering i he inn had

an assembly room. He would have o sop in someime and mee he

proprieor.

Uncle Ramsay lived ouside he village in a wo-sory whiewashed

cotage capped by a ile roowih a small sable, paddock, and oher

oubuildings behind. As a young parner he had lived over he law


23/45

JULIE KLASSEN

23

pracice on he High Sree, hed explained, bu had bough he cotage

when he bough he pracice. Now his wo clerks shared he rooms

above his office, while he lived alone, wih a cook-housekeeper andmanservan o keep he place going.

Shorly afer reaching he cotage, Alec joined his amily in he din-

ing parlor or a siff early dinner a he bachelors meager able. I was no

ha his uncle was poorhe was afer all he only solicior in own and

employed wo clerksbu apparenly he was exceedingly rugal and

his cook-housekeeper had learned o srech a sixpence ino a pound.

Alec was careul no o ea oo much o he plain roased chickenand boiled poaoes so here would be enough o go around. Cover

glances a his moher and siser revealed hey did he same, slicing a

small poao ino iny slices and eaing hem slowly and delicaely, so

ha heir plaes did no empy ahead o Mr. Ramsays. I heir uncle

ae his way regularly, he should have been a hin, spindly man, bu

he was no. Raher, he possessed a well-rounded waiscoa ha belied

his parsimonious able.Te conversaion was meager as well. His moher had explained he

previous nigh why hey had come, as well as her husbands ae. A he

ime, Cornelius Ramsay had nodded gravely bu said litle.

Now, abruply, he began, Perhaps we needn share he pariculars

o how i happened, hmm? I is enough or people here o know your

husband is gone and ha is why youve come.

Around he able Alec, his moher, and Aurora nodded in somber

agreemen.

Afer he meal, Alec rerieved his violin case. Knowing his music

would fill he small house, and unsure wheher his uncle would welcome

i, he ook his insrumen ouside. Te February day was chilly, bu he

ound a sunny benchhe breeze blocked by he garden walland

el quie comorable. Siting down, he removed his violin, posiioned

his bow, and began o fiddle. As he played, he reviewed his plans in

his mind.

He had a small sack o pamphles lef over rom London, describing


24/45

The Dancing Master

24

he encing and dancing classes hed augh in privae homes or he

academy. I he cu off he botom porion, which lised he Valcour

Academys address and weekly dance imes, he could sill use hem.Armed wih he pamphles, he would inroduce himsel o local schools,

as well as middle-class amilies and genry. He hough he would each

privae lessons in homes firs. Ten, when he had sufficien sudens

and income, he would find and le a suiable place in Beaworhy o

open a new academy.

He hough again o he prety Miss Midwiner he had me ha

morning a church. He supposed a young lady like her already couneddancing among her many accomplishmens, bu i wouldn hur o

ask. . . .

Aurora came ou, wool shawl around her shoulders, and sa on he

bench beside him. She sared peaceully over he dorman garden and

silen road beyond, lisening as he played.

Afer a ew minues, she asked quiely, Tas new, isn i?

He shook his head. No exacly. Is a variaion o GrandahersLAimable Vainqueur.

Ah. She sood and began walking hrough he dance seps in a

demure, undersaed ashion while Alec played.

A horse and car rumbled by, and he man a he reins urned o

sare a hem. Sel-conscious, Aurora sopped and waied unil he had

passed beore resuming he seps. As Alec added spiri o he une,

Aurora raised her arms and wirled a pirouete, nearly losing her shawl

as she did so.

Sop! Wha are you doing?

Aurora whirled again, his ime o ace a flushed Uncle Ramsay.

Did he reprimand her because she had danced on Sunday? Alec had

no augh lessons on he Sabbah, bu heir amily had ofen spen a

pleasan hour or wo wih music and dancing on Sunday afernoons.

Alec lowered his fiddle and sood. Im sorry, Uncle. Was he music

oo loud? We came ouside, hoping no o disurb you.

You do disurb me. Glancing oward he road, he gesured hem

orward. Come inside, he boh o you.


25/45

JULIE KLASSEN

25

Alec and Aurora exchanged uncerain glances and ollowed him

hrough he door and ino he siting room, eeling like naughy children.

Inside, Mrs. Valcour looked up rom he book o sermons she wasreading. Her gaze shifed rom her children o her broher, worry lines

creasing her brow.

Uncle Ramsay urned o ace hem. Dancing is rowned upon here.

On he Sabbah, you mean? Alec asked. Aurora was only walking

hrough he seps o a variaion Ive composed. My aul, Im araid,

no hers.

No, no onlyon Sabbah, Uncle Ramsay said. Dancing is noallowed here in general.

Alec sared a he man, cerain he mus have misheard. I don

undersand.

Aurora gave a enaive smile. You mus be easing, Uncle. For you

know Alec is a dancing maser.

Uncle Ramsays mouh ell ajar, apparenly hundersruck. Wha?

Alec el a quiver o dread snake up his spine bu seeled himseland me his uncles gaze direcly. I am a dancing and encing maser,

sir. Like my aher and grandaher beore me.

Uncle Ramsays ace darkened in displeasure. He urned o his siser.

Really, Joanna. You should have old me your son was ollowing he

amily line beore you came.

I knew you would no approve, she replied, seting aside her book

and avering her eyes.Alec looked rom his moher o his uncle, mind reeling. Surely my

proession does no come as a surprise o you.

I does. And no a happy one. I knew your grandaher was a danc-

ing maser, and French in he bargain. Bu your aher vowed o orsake

he proession i I would permi him o marry my siser.

He did give i up, Mrs. Valcour said, hen added, or a ime.

Cornelius Ramsay shook his head, eyes roubled. He promised.

Upon his honor.

Mrs. Valcours lips ighened. Men do no always keep heir prom-

ises, I find.


26/45

The Dancing Master

26

Several momens o srained silence ollowed. Te manel clock

icked. Aurora sen Alec a nervous look. I was he neares hing o an

accusaion hey had ye heard rom heir moher.Uncle Ramsay picked up he fire iron and jabbed a he embers in

he hearh. I suppose your husbands reurn o he proession, and

your sons ollowing him, explains your vague and inrequen leters

over he years?

He sen his siser a challenging look, bu she did no mee his gaze.

Well, well, he said briskly. I you had divulged your sons proession,

I could have warned you here is no dancing here in Beaworhy. And pre-cious litle call or a dancing maser. In ac, I canno hink o any place less

in need o one. He shoved he fire iron back ino is sand wih a clang.

Bu . . . why? Alec sputered.

A decision o he leading amily o he parish. Lady Amelia Mid-

winer, daugher o he las earl.

Alecs somach churned. Flabbergased, he asked again, Bu why?

Is she a Quaker or some such?His uncle shook his head. Is he way hings were when I came

here years ago as parner o old Mr. LeyGod res his soul.

I don undersand. Are you saying heres an acual law or ordi-

nance ha says one canno dance here?

Uncle Ramsays lower lip proruded in hough. No an acual law

ha I know o, hough cerainly an unwriten one. He shrugged. I

own Ive never looked ino i. Didn affec meI never wen in or

ha sor o rivoliy.

Bu

His uncle laid a hand on his arm. Te reasonis no he main poin

here, my boy. Te ac is, dancing is no done here in Beaworhy, hasn

been or weny years, and is unlikely o sar now youre here.

Alec looked a his moher, sunned by his unexpeced urn o

evens. Mamma, why did you no say anyhing? I I had known

Her eyes sparked. I you had known . . . Wha? We sill would have

come. We had no oher choice. And hanks o my generous broher,

we have a roo over our heads. Le us be hankul.


27/45

JULIE KLASSEN

27

Bu we canno presume o live on Uncle Ramsays goodwill or

long, Mamma, Alec insised. I mus earn my own waysuppor

you and Aurora.His uncle nodded. Well said, my boy. Well said. A young man o

nearly five and weny mus have some skills and abiliies o recom-

mend him.

Alec lifed his chin. I am a skilled and able dancing and encing

maser, sir. He hesiaed, hen added, Tough I did apprenice as a

clerk or a ime, beore Faher reopened his academy.

Ah! A clerk. Now, has somehing useul.Ive never regreted he experience, Alec allowed. Even afer I

began eaching alongside Faher, I was able o help wih he business

side o he academykeeping he books, paying axes, ha sor o

hing.

His moher asked hopeully, Migh Alec help you in your law prac-

ice, broher?

His uncle considered his, hen shook his head. Unorunaely no.I have wo clerks a presen and haven need o anoher. Nor have I

heard o any such posiion available nearby. Bu I shall ask around.

Alec waned o please his uncle, bu he did no wan o be a clerk.

He said, Perhaps here is more ineres in dancing han you hink.

And I each encing as well. I migh find pupils or ha skill a leas.

Enough o suppor yoursel? I hink ha highly unlikely.

Ten I shall go arher afield o seek pupils, Alec said. I may havemore luck in neighboring villages.

Bu olks around here are primarily armers and laborers. Few well-

o-do amilies ineresed in dancing.

How do you know?

Call i an educaed guess. My proessional opinion.

I canno hur o ask.

Acually, i can. I can hur your repuaion and your recepion. I

won do me any avors eiher.

Bu

Uncle Ramsay held up his palm. Look. Alec. I am a reasonable


28/45

The Dancing Master

28

man and will no orbid you. However, I would advise you o read

careully and be discree. And do no emp ae by going o Buckleigh

Manor or is neighbor, Medlands. Give yoursel, say, a week, and iyou haven rummaged up sufficien pupils by hen, we shall discuss

alernae plans or your uure. All righ?

Ta sounds reasonable, Alecs moher agreed. Quie generous,

broher. Tank you.

A week?Inwardly, Alec rebelled. He el his lie beginning o spin

away, ou rom under his conrol, and he didn like i one bi.

Dismissed, Alec exchanged his violin or a sword and srode back

ouside. Insead o urning righ ino he village, he urned lef ino

he counryside. In his uncles compac cotage, here was precious

litle room or privacy. He needed a place o exer himsel and burn

off his vexaion wih no one o criicize, or scoff. A place where he

could oss aside his coa and work himsel ino an ungenlemanly

swea.His small sword held inconspicuously o his side, he srode down

he unpaved road, eyeing wih ineres he wooded area ahead.

He passed a walled churchyard, he lising graves and grey limesone

church ar older han he one hed atended in he village. No sure i he

place was in use, he walked on. Te road enered a copse o rees boh

deciduous and evergreen. Tough only February, birds sang hopeully.

Evidenly, spring reurned earlier here in he souhwes. Perhaps all

was no as bleak as i appeared.

Te vague rumble and wave o wo voices reached him. Trough

he rees, he glimpsed movemen. He paused, no wishing his ooseps

o announce his presence, or o mee anyone in his curren mood.

Somehing abou he uncerain shapes beyond he pine boughs drew

his atenion. He walked gingerly rom he road ino he copse, careul

o avoid sepping on downed branches.

He sopped behind a dense Scos pine and peered around i. Te

shapes became clearer. wo horses. wo people. Parially shielded

by he horses, a man and woman sood, reins in hand, heads near in


29/45

JULIE KLASSEN

29

conversaion. A love scene? he wondered. A all evens, Alec realized

he had no righ o inrude.

Alec was abou o urn away, when one horse lowered is head onibble among he brush and he saw he young woman more clearly

Miss Julia Midwiner, whom he had me in church. Who was supposed

o be ou riding wih anoher young lady. Her presen companion was

young bu no emale. He was a handsome, well-dressed genleman in

green coa and buff rousers. Miss Midwiner smiled coyly up a him

and leaned very near.

Again he image o Miss Underhill appeared in Alecs mind, andhis gu pinched wih guil and regre.

Suddenly Miss Midwiner looked righ in his direcion. Had Alec

made a sound afer all?

Te prety blonde rowned and murmured somehing o he man.

Ten she added more loudly, Wha a pleasan surprise o happen

upon you, sir. Bu now I mus bid you good-day.

Alec urned and walked away. Her siled words had no ooledhim. Miss Midwiner had clearly deceived her moher. Wha would he

do i he ever came upon his siser in such a compromising siuaion?

Deep in conemplaion, Alec ripped over somehing in he wood.

I say, have a care, a man grumbled. Tas my leg youre kicking.

Alec spun around, sarled by he affroned male voice. He had no

realized anyone else was near.

And no wonder, or he person addressing him was seaed on he

ground amid he brush, legs sprawled, back reclining agains a ree.

Te offended man was a ew years younger han Alec and well dressed,

hough his crava was an unidy wad and sained wih mud. Or was

i . . . chocolae?

I beg your pardon, Alec said. I did no see you.

Te fire aded rom he mans dark eyes. Well, no harm done.

Alec hesiaed, aking in he mans posiion. Are you . . . all righ?

I expec so. Good hing I was wearing my boos.

Alec looked down a he mans riding boos and saw ha one o

hem was clamped beween he meal jaws o a rap.


30/45

The Dancing Master

30

Good heavens. Are you hur?

No oo bad, I don hink.

How can I help?Te man hough. You don happen o have a fire iron or crowbar

on your person, I don imagine?

Im araid no. Alec raised his sword. I have his, bu I don

hink

A sword? Handy hing, ha. No every chap carries one hese days.

I ence, Alec murmured. He eared ha using his blade as a ool

would break he ip, bu he couldn very well leave he young manenrapped. He searched he ground or a surdy sick, hen knel beside

he allen man.

Dashed oolish o me, I know, he young man said. Te game-

keeper has warned me ime and ime again o mind his raps. Ye some-

how I sumbled ino his one.

Alec slid he edge o his sword beween he meal jaws and pried

he rap open jus ar enough o inser he surdy branch.Te young man eyed his sword wih ineres. Perhaps we migh

ence ogeher someime. Tough I ence very ill, no doub.

I could help you improve your skills.

Really? Excellen.

Using he sick as a lever, Alec began prying open he rap.

Wai il James learns o his, he young man moaned. I shall

never hear he end o i.James?

My broher.

Perhaps he needn learn o i.

Youre no rom his parish, I gaher, or youd know heres no

keeping i secre. Everyone hears everyhing evenually. Besides, Id

no rob my broher o a good laugh, would I? Have you no brohers?

No. Only a siser.

Ah. Te young man nodded. One ough o be genler wih sisers.

Tough Paience is quie sporing abou our easing, I will say.

rap released, Alec held i gingerly while he young man exraced


31/45

JULIE KLASSEN

31

his oo. He woeully eyed his dened boo. A all evens, I ear heres

no hiding his. Fahers vale will hrow a fi when he sees all his polish-

ing gone o ruin.And your oo? Alec asked.

Te young man roaed his ankle. Hurs bu seems all righ.

Alec offered his hand and helped pull he man o his ee. He nearly

los his own ooing, so much heavier was he man han he appeared.

Sanding, he mans lanky heigh became evidenhe was several

inches aller han Alec and likely a sone or wo heavier.

enaively puting weigh on his oo, he young man winced.Is i broken? Alec asked.

I don hink so. Bu ill be black-and-blue omorrow i I don

miss my guess.

Alec offered his shoulder. Here, lean on me.

I don live ar. Medlands. Do you know i?

No. Ive only jus arrived rom London. Tough Alec did recall

his uncle menioning he place. Were saying wih Mr. Ramsaymyuncle.

I know himhes my ahers solicior. Well, welcome o Beaworhy.

A good show you came when you did. Te young man suck ou his

soiled hand. Waler Allen.

Seeing he muddy hand, Alec wihdrew his pocke kerchie and

placed i in he mans waiing palm. Landed in a spo o dir when

you ell, by he looks o i.Waler looked down a his palm, hen obligingly wiped his hands.

And so I did. He held ou he soiled kerchie. Many hanks.

Alec smiled and waved away he offer. Keep i.

Te man shrugged and pockeed i. Didn cach your name, he said.

Alec Valcour. How do you do?

Abou average. Waler grinned. For me.

He pu his arm around Alecs shoulder, and he wo walked slowly

ou o he rees and ono he road. No ar pas he walled churchyard,

hey came o a wrough-iron gae wih a lions head baring is eeh and

glaring down a hem rom aop he meal scrollwork.


32/45

The Dancing Master

32

Seeing him glance down is long drive, Waler said, Tas Buck-

leigh Manor.

Is ha where he Midwiners live?Youve me hem?

Alec nodded. A church.

Ah. Waler lifed his chin in undersanding. Yes. Teyre our

neighbors. He urned his head. Medlands is jus here, on he oher

side o he road.

Ahead, an open, inviing enrance awaied, wih wo sone pillars

on eiher side o a genly curved drive, wih no menacing lion o warnvisiors away.

Te house beyond seemed relaively modern and well mainained,

or perhaps recenly reurbished. I was buil o warm red brick wih

whie-ramed doors and windows. Is roo o many gables and all brick

chimneys was crowned by a cheerul whie cupola.

In spie o he mans humble, sel-deprecaing manner, he was ap-

parenly rom a wealhy amily.Glancing up a he house, Alec glimpsed a air head in one o he

upper windows. A flick o a curain and he figure disappeared. As hey

reached he ron sairs a ew momens laer, he door burs open and

a young woman hurried ou, pale ace a mask o concern, ramed by

he lighes blond hair Alec had ever seen.

Waler! she exclaimed. Are you all righ?

Yes, Pe, I am.Ten why are you limping? Wha happened?

I shall ell you by and by, or youll wring i rom me, I know. Bu

firs, le me inroduce my rescuer. He released Alecs shoulder and

gesured wih a sweep o his hand. Miss Paience Allen, my siser,

please mee Mr. Alec Valcour, newcomer o Beaworhy.

She urned o him, her ligh blue eyes round. He ound himsel

comparing her o Miss Midwiner, who was also blond, hough ha

ladys curls were a deeper, honey hue. Miss Allens eyes seemed wide

and innocen, compared o Miss Midwiners knowing gaze.

I believe I saw you a church oday, Mr. Valcour, Miss Allen said.


33/45

JULIE KLASSEN

33

Allow me o express my hearel appreciaion on behal o my enire

amily. Beter ye, come and mee hem. I know Mamma and Papa will

wan o hank you.Alec hesiaed. I don wish o inrude.

No a bi o i, Waler said.

Tey are jus here in he drawing room. Tis way. Miss Allen

urned and led he way across he hall. When she opened he broad

paneled door, Alec glimpsed a scene o domesic happiness ramed

in is hreshold. A woman o ory or ory-five sa a an embroidery

screen beore he fire. She had paused in her needlework o regard wihond amusemen her husband holding a biscui beore a hound on is

rear haunches in eager beggars pose. Hearing he door open, he man

gave he hound his reward and praised him wih a ond Good boy.

He hen rose and urned oward he door wih a ready smile.

He was a all, handsome man wih silver hreaded hrough dark

blond hair. His wie was equally atracive wih aded blond curls and

he dimples o a young girl. She rose and sepped o her husbands side.Waler inroduced Alec and shared he sory o heir meeing. As

he did so, Sir Herber and Lady Allen gazed a Alec wih smiles ha

li heir eyes and gave him a warm eeling o approval and value. Teir

expressions o graiude were insan and genuine, and boh ook urns

vigorously shaking his hand.

Sir Herber insised on inspecing Walers oo and bid him si in

a nearby chair o do so.As he examinaion commenced, Walers older broher, James,

came in, dressed in green coa, buff rousers, and all boosriding

clohes. Alec recognized him wih a sar as he man he had seen wih

Miss Midwiner near he wood.

Perhaps hen, Alec hough wih relie, here had been nohing un-

oward abou Miss Midwiner sopping o speak wih a neighbor while

ou riding. Mr. Allen had clearly no lingered wih he young lady.

James Allens hair was a halo o awny gold curls, his eaures finely

ormed. Even Alec could no miss noicing ha he was an exceed-

ingly handsome young man. He was in appearance very like his siser,


34/45

The Dancing Master

34

Paience. And boh resembled heir parens. Alec wondered idly who

Waler resembled.

Waler repeaed he sory, and James Allen hanked Alec and shookhis hand, hough wih more reserve han his parens had shown.

Bu when James urned o his broher, his reserve ell away. His eyes

sparkled and a smile played abou his mouh. As Waler had prediced,

James los no ime in easing him. No anoher rap, Wal. Wha does

ha makewo or hree his year?

Waler ducked his head o hide a sheepish smile.

You migh have called ou, James said. I rode very near ha spo.He didn menion meeing Miss Midwiner on his ride, Alec no-

iced, and wondered why.

James coninued, We shall have o ask Hooper o pain he raps

yellow o warn you offand all he oxes and weasels in he bargain.

Wha do you say, Papa. Spare he game birds or poor Wals oo?

His aher smiled. Tere are many birds in hose woods, bu Waler

has only wo ee. Beter spare hose.James nodded. I quie agree. Te Beaworhy cricke eam would

be hard-pressed indeed i our bes basman showed up lame. He laid a

hand on his younger, hough larger, brohers shoulder. Jesing aside,

I am glad you are all righ, old man. You mus promise o look abou

you nex ime you go or a ramble.

Waler grinned. I shall.

Lady Allen spoke up. I am araid i is Cooks hal day, Mr. Valcour,

or we should invie you o say or dinner.

Tank you anyway, Lady Allen. Bu no urher hanks are neces-

sary.

Youve no eaen Mrs. Whies puddings, Waler eased. Or youd

no be so quick o decline.

Anoher ime, hen, Sir Herber suggesed.

Alec bowed. Tank you, sir.

Alec recalled his uncles admoniion o avoid soliciing pupils a

Buckleigh Manor and Medlands, ye even had he no, Alec would have

been relucan o press his advanageo spoil he momen by asking


35/45

JULIE KLASSEN

35

or heir paronage. His ahers criical voice, saying,You mus be more

persuasive and asserive . . . echoed in Alecs memory, bu he ignored i.

And I hope we migh ence ogeher one day, Waler added. Jamesand I had a ew lessons, bu is years ago now.

Alec explained, Tas why I was wandering abou oday. Id hoped

o find an ou-o-he-way place o pracice, bu . . .

Bu insead you ound me. Waler chuckled, hen added, Te

churchyard isn used much. Or youre welcome o come here.

Perhaps afer your oo heals, Alec suggesed.

Oh, Ill be righ as a rive in a day or wo. Waler gingerly replacedhis socking.

You musn rush hings, Waler, Lady Allen said. And I don

know ha playing wih swords is, um, he bes pasime or you.

Worried Ill cu off my own head? Waler urned o grin a Alec.

You see how my repuaion precedes me.


36/45

36

Learning o dance was an imporan accomplishmen or

ladies and genlemen, so was included in any geneel or

semi-geneel educaion.

Susannah Fulleron,A Dance Wih Jane Ausen

Chapter 3

Julia led her horse back o he Buckleigh Manor sables and hereremoved Liberys bridle while he groom unasened he saddle

and carried i away. Julia insised on grooming Libery hersel,

firs wih currycomb, hen brush, puting off reurning o he house

as long as possible.

Tere, my swee girl. My beauy, she murmured, sroking he

mares orelock.

Finally she wen inside and up o her room, removing her ha as

she wen. Ten she rang or he upper housemaid o help her change

rom her riding habi.

While she waied, Julia slumped ono her dressing sool. Noicing

he brass mermaid on he able, she picked i up and fiddled wih i

while she hough back over he afernoon. Te ouing had cerainly no

urned ou as shed hoped. She had ridden, no o Medlands, as shed

old her moher, bu raher oward he sream where Cedric Bullmore

liked o fly-fish. Te recor was orever bragging abou his sons angling

prowess, mixing fish sories ino his sermons on fishers o men. And

Julia had planned o do a litle fishing o her own. . . .


37/45

JULIE KLASSEN

37

Julia rode alongside he wood, allowing i o conceal her approach

unil she could observe he scene unnoiced. I Cedrics aher was

here wih him, she would urn and ride home. She did no wish he

recor o repor o her moher ha hed seen her ou riding alone. Nor

would she dismoun unil she was cerain.

She haled a he edge o he wood and peered oward he sream.

Tere he was. Sanding on he bank in his boos, broad-brimmed ha

shielding his ace, fly rod ben as he worked o land a fish.Cedric Bullmore was no as handsome as eiher James Allen or he

new man she had me in church. He was exremely hin, had a long

nose, and ended o blaher on like his aher. Bu he was a genleman,

and beter ye, he had recenly reurned rom his grand our, and she

longed o hear abou his ravels on he coninen.

For a momen, Julia imagined hersel married o Cedric Bullmore

and raveling he world wih him. . . .ogeher hey journeyed hrough Spain, France, and Ialy. He had

filled ou under her nururing and learned o curb his ongue. Arm

in arm, hey oured ar galleries, palazzi, and Roman ruins. Cedric

inroduced her as mi esposa, ma emme, or amore mio, wih pride and

affecion wherever hey wen. Tey dined in lovely cas and were

invied o ashionable balls. Tey sayed in quainpensiones, where

hey enjoyed breahaking views rom separae rooms. . . .Blinking away he daydream, Julia lifed her knee rom he pommel

and slid o he ground. Keeping hold o he reins, she wached rom

behind Liberys neck as Cedric neted he obsinae fish. She would

wai unil he had placed i in his baske, and hen

Julia? a male voice called.

She urned, her somach dropping.

James Allen came riding up, looking none oo pleased o see her.

Where is your groom?

Hello, James. Julia orced a smile. And how are you on his beau-

iul day?


38/45

The Dancing Master

38

Relieved I came upon you when I didhas how. He jerked up

his hand. For here sands Cedric Bullmore. Wha would he recors

son have hough had you happened upon him unchaperoned? Doyou no care a whi abou your repuaion?

Julia lifed her chin. I is perecly respecable o ride on ones own

land, I hink.

James dismouned. Ten why are you off your horse? ell me you

did no plan o go over and speak o he man alone.

Why no? Julia changed ack, sepping nearer and lowering her

voice. I am speaking oyoualone.

I realize ha. And i Mr. Bullmore sees he wo o us ogeher, he

migh hink we . . .

He migh hink we . . . wha? Julia smiled ino he young mans

angelic ace. I everyone expeced hem o marry one day, she migh as

well see i here was any spark o atracion beween hem. Especially

since hed ruined her oher plans.She leaned oward him, nearer ye.

James siffened and pulled back. He migh conclude we are . . .

engaged.

Irriaed, Julia pulled a ace. Which we are no, o course.

No. Bu even so . . .

Some sligh movemen snagged he corner o her eye, and Julia

glanced oward he wood. Tere hrough he rees sood a figure, par-ially hidden by a pine boughhe new man she had me in church.

Embarrassmen singed Julias ears bu was quickly overpowered by

indignaion. Was everyone spying on her oday?

She grited her eeh and murmured peevishly, Very well, James,

you have made your poin. Now, will you give me a leg up?

He hesiaed. I am no groom, Julia. Id probably oss you over he

oher side. Beter walk her back.She huffed. Some gallan you are. Ten she added more loudly, or

he benefi o he eavesdropper, Wha a pleasan surprise o happen

upon you, sir. Bu now I mus bid you good-day.


39/45

JULIE KLASSEN

39

Even now, in he privacy o her room, he memory provoked an

uncomorable wave o embarrassmen, irriaion, and . . . disappoin-

men. Mus James Allen be such a dull sick? So suffocaingly proper?She hoped he newcomer, Mr. Valcour, would keep his mouh

shu abou seeing her alone wih him. No ha her moher would

suspec genlemanly Mr. Allen o impropriey, bu she migh see i as

he excuse shed been waiing or o prod him ino declaring himsel.

And Julia wasn ready or ha. She wasn sure i she ever would be.

She looked down a he old brass mermaid in her hand. Hal woman.

Hal fish. Te only gif shed ever received rom her aher, odd houghi was.

oo bad i was he only fish shed managed o land ha day.

Alec reurned o his uncles house, wihou having aken as much

exercise as he would have liked, bu eeling oddly invigoraed by he

brisk walk and he encouner wih he Allen amily.A leas one poenial

encing pupil,he hough. Or even a riend.

Perhaps hings in Beaworhy weren as bleak as Uncle Ramsay de-

clared, Alec hough. I was ime o pu his plan ino acion.

His uncles cook-housekeeper had Sunday afernoons off, bu Alec

ound his manservan and borrowed a pair o scissors and an iron. Wih

he ormer, he careully rimmed his pamphles. Ten he heaed he

iron and smoohed a shir and his fines crava.Dressing well o mee prospecive pupils had served him well in he

pas, so he would do he same on he morrow. He brushed his bes rock

coa, laid ou buff panaloons and his mos ashionable waiscoa. He

missed his ahers manservan, Leser, who had kep all heir dancing

slippers, shoes, and boos in excellen condiion, and had helped Alec

on wih his igh-fiting coas and ied his more complicaed crava

knos. Bu heyd had o le Leser go las year, and Alec had learned

o do or himsel.

Tinking ahead o he nex days unannounced and likely unwel-

come calls, nerves pricked Alecs somach. He always deesed his par


40/45

The Dancing Master

40

o he job. And his aher had always criicized him or i. o buoy his

spiris, he hough no o his pushy aher, bu o his charming, genle

grandaher. His grandaher ruly believed dancing added o lies joysand saisacion. He believed his lessons in boh dancing and encing

helped people physically as well as socially, and he genuinely cared

abou his pupils success. In his younger days, his grandaher had been

one o he sronges men Alec knew. Beneah his ashionable coa and

polished manners lay solid muscles and srengh buil rom hours o

encing and dancing every week. Because o him, Alec knew a man

could be srong and ye graceul and caring. Ta was he sor o dancingmaser Alec wished o be, wheher soliciing pupils or eaching hem.

Lord, be wih me,he murmured as he lay down o sleep. I hal o his

uncles warnings were rue, hed need all he help he could ge.

In he morning, Alec dressed wih care, and helped himsel o a

breakas o ea and oas in he quie dining parlor alone, as no one

else was ye down. Ten he se off, pamphles and a map his uncle

had provided in hand.

aking his uncles advice ino accoun, Alec decided o bypass

Beaworhy proper and sar on he ouskirs o own.

He walked o he Sheepwash Road and headed eas ou o he vil-

lage. A hedgerow lined one side, a sream and meadow he oher. Te

ding o cowbells and bawl o sheep announced his passing. He camefirs o a small house wih an oubuildinga orge, perhaps. He didn

hink a blacksmih or his offspring likely cliens and walked on wihou

sopping.

Some disance arher, he saw a idy whie cotage wih a hached

roo. I reminded him o his uncles house. Perhaps a merchan or a

proessional o some sor lived here. A rope swing suggesed chil-

drenpromising indeed. Seeling himsel, he walked up o he ron

door and knocked.

A nea middle-aged woman answered.

Alec doffed his ha. Good day, madam. I am Mr. Alec Valcour,


41/45

JULIE KLASSEN

41

laely o London, bu newly arrived in Beaworhy. I am a dancing and

encing maser, and am well acquained wih all he new and ashion-

able dances. Have you children, madam? Dancing is an imporanaccomplishmen or young ladies and genlemen, you know.

Te woman rowned. No, sir. We wan nohing o do wih dancing

here. Now be on your way and don come back. She shu he door

beore Alec could say anoher word.

By midday, Alec had knocked a our more promising-looking

houses, wih similar resuls.Don give up, he old himsel. You can do his.

He saw a prosperous-looking armhouse across he field, flankedby a barn and woodshed. One more,he old himsel. He was me by

a riendly dog ha wagged his ail and offered his head o be pated.

Alec didn oblige him, bu sill hough i a good sign. He knocked,

and he door was opened by a musachioed man o perhaps ory years.

Again Alec inroduced himsel and offered lessons, ensing as he

awaied he mans reacion.

Ohhh . . . ! he man said as hough Alec had given him he answero a deep mysery. Saw you sop by he Williamses place across he

way. Wondered wha you was sellin. Sen you on yer way and sharp-

like, did hey?

Yes, Alec admited.

Coulda old ya ha. Te Williamses and mos olks in hese pars

are enan armersworkin Buckleigh land. No me. His ches puffed

ou as he spoke. I own my land ourigh. And my son Berrand helpsme arm i.

So . . . Alec began hopeully, migh you be ineresed in dancing

lessons or yoursel or your son?

Te yeoman armer considered his, hen asked, Will dancin help

me arm my land? Help Berie plan our crops?

No direcly, Alec allowed. Tough i is excellen exercise and

develops grace

Me and Berie ge pleny o exercise round here, I can ell you.

And we have precious litle need o grace. Bu I hank you jus he

same and wish you well.


42/45

The Dancing Master

42

Alec swallowed he res o his argumen. Ten, can you hink o

anyone who migh be ineresed in dancing or encing lessons?

Te armer crossed his hick arms and pursed his lower lip. I Iwere you, Id go see he Sricklands ou Holsworhy way. Always did

hink hey were beter han he res o us. Jus your sor, I imagine.

No offense.

Alec orced a smile.

I was oo lae in he day o sar off or Holsworhy on oo, so Alec

decided he would call in a he privae girls schoolone o he ew

places Uncle Ramsay had poined ou on his map as a poenial clien.Alec walked back oward own and ook he side lane his uncle had

marked. A square sone house wih a iled roo came ino view. A small

plaque on he gae readMiss Llewellyns Boarding and Day School for Girls.

Alecs hear lifed. Hed augh regular dance classes a several girls

seminaries in London. Such schools were always hiring drawing and

dancing masers o enhance heir curriculum. He would be well re-

ceived here, he hough.Te schoolmisressa plain, slender woman in her lae wenies

received him in her parlor wih reserved civiliy. She acceped one o

his pamphles and regarded i wisully. Looking up rom is ex, she

sighed. While I would very much like o offer my girls he opporuniy

o learn dancing, I am araid I can.

Alecs somach ell, bu he managed o keep his expression neural.

May I ask why no?She nodded. Lady Amelia Midwiner is our primary beneacor,

you see. She offers scholarships or worhy girls who could no oher-

wise afford uiion. And she and her daugher uor my younger pupils

in reading rom ime o ime.

Alec was surprised o hear i.

Miss Llewellyn poined across he room. Lady Amelia even gave us

ha harpsichord or my pupils o play. She has been generosiy isel,

and I could no go agains her wishes in his.

Te schoolmisress rose, her long-lashed eyes sad. Bu hank you

or hinking o us.


43/45

JULIE KLASSEN

43

Alec reurned home, ired, hungry, and discouraged. Te meager

dinner a his uncles able did litle o cheer or srenghen him. Nor

did having o relay his uter lack o success.Afer dinner, Aurora and heir moher wihdrew o he siting room.

When heyd gone, Uncle Ramsay said, Alec, Ive been hinking. I

youre going o seek pupils in Holsworhy or arher afield, you ough

o have a way o ge here. He rose and gesured or Alec o ollow.

Come wih me.

Alec ollowed his uncle ouside o he sable around back. His

uncle unlached he sable door and sepped inside. As Alec enered,he sharp, musy smell o hay, leaher, and manure sruck him. Inside

were hree salls, wo occupied wih horses and one wih sraw and

hay.

His uncle urned and beamed a him. Hes all yours, i you can

manage him.

Wha?

Uncle Ramsay poined o he sandy brown horse in he firs sall.Te dun horse. Te Cleveland bay is my carriage horse.

Alec narrowed his eyes. His pracical, penny-wise uncle wasgiving

him a horse? Tere mus be a cach. He asked, Wha do you mean,

managehim?

He isn erribly well rained, or behaved or ha mater, his uncle

allowed. I should have known, when a clien signed him over o cover

my ees.Youve ridden him?

Once. His uncle pulled a ace. I was no a long ride. I own I

haven aken he ime o work wih him. My offices are wihin easy

walking disance. And I ake he carriage or longer rips. Besides, I

have litle ineres in pleasure riding . . . and less in breaking my neck.

I am surprised you haven sold him.

Uncle Ramsay shrugged. Probably should have. Oddly enough

I hink my bay likes having a riend. I don ake he carriage ou as

ofen as I once did. I imagine hed ge lonely living ou here all alone.

A srange bleakness li his uncles eyes. Cornelius Ramsay knew


44/45

The Dancing Master

44

somehing abou living alone, Alec realized. He wondered i his uncle

had been lonely beore heyd arrived. Was he lonely sill?

As i sensing his nephews scruiny and he direcion o his houghs,he man cleared his hroa and said brusquely, Well?

Alec considered he prospec. I am sorry, Uncle. Bu I canno afford

a horses upkeep. No unil my financial siuaion improves.

I realize ha. Uncle Ramsay waved a dismissive hand. Have you

experience wih horses?

No much, Im araid.

Know how o saddle one?No.

Well hen, more or you o learn. He clapped Alecs shoulder and

inhaled. Is ime you discovered heres more o lie han dancing.

Perhaps,Alec hough. Tough he doubed he would like i as well, or

be hal as good a i. Even so, he idea o having his own horse appealed

o him. Very genlemanlike, horsemanship was. He was no exper, bu

his seemed a fine-looking animal, wih a dark line along is spine andblack poins in sharp conras o his sandy coa. Tis was no old nag

he should be embarrassed o be seen riding. Bu hen again, he had

no desire o break hisneck eiher.

His uncle added, Abe can even saddle him or you, i you like.

Tank you, Uncle. Whas his name?

His original name was Apollo. Bu I simply call him Dun. Fiting,

don you hink? Since my clien was in dun erriorywhen he handedhim over o setle his debs. His uncles mouh quirked in a rare display

o humor. Well. I shall leave he wo o you o become acquained.

Once Uncle Ramsay reurned o he house, Alec approached he

sall enaively, hand exended, wondering i he appeared as oolish as

he el.A horse is no a hound, Valcour,he hough, bu did no know

i here was a beter way o gree an unamiliar horse. Te creaure

siffened, hen urned is long muzzle in Alecs direcion and whickered

an airy rill o quesion. Is wachul, long-lashed eyes reminded him

o he sad-eyed schoolmisress.

Is all righ, boy. I mean you no harm, Alec said in a low voice.


45/45

JULIE KLASSEN

Te horse did no jerk away as he eared. Insead Alec was able o reach

ou and ouch is coarse orelock. Te horse sniffed his ousreched

hand, and Alec el he velvey lips, wiry whiskers, and warm breah.He wished he had a carro or a lump o sugar in his pocke.

Alec wondered i he could manage o bridle him, or a leas ge

a lead around his neck. He looked his way and ha or a haler or

hackamore and insead saw his uncles manservan, Abe, walk ino he

sable, eyeing him curiously.

Hello.

Te old man nodded his grizzled grey head and began polishingharnesses.

My uncle said you migh saddle him or me omorrow.

Abe nodded. Aye. Saddlin him is he easy par. Wha ime do you

wan him ready?

Id like o arrive in Holsworhy by nine. Shall we say . . . seven

hiry? Is ha enough ime, do you hink?

Oh, pleny o ime, Id say. More han enough.Alec didn like he knowing look in he mans eye bu said nohing

more.

the dancing master

Documents