PHANTOM IN TIME by Eugenia Riley

She felt completely lost. Only Jacques LeFevre and his thrilling effect
on her senses were the least bit familiar—yet she was used to dealing with a
ghost, not a real flesh-and-blood man who seemed determined to beguile her!
    “Are
you all right?” inquired a kindly female voice.
    Bella
glanced up to see a pretty girl standing at the stage entrance. Appearing to be
in her early twenties, she wore a long, pale green silk frock, elegantly
tailored, with puffed sleeves, a high neck, a ruffled front and a tight waist.
Her shiny red hair was fixed in a bun, the top poufed forward
Gibson-girl-style; her face was lovely and heart-shaped, distinguished by
large, light green eyes and a sprinkling of freckles across her dainty upturned
nose. She was smiling at Bella with kindness and warmth. Bella felt both moved
and relieved to spot such a compassionate face.
    She
stood, flashing the girl a tentative smile. “To tell you the truth, I'm not
sure I'm okay.”
    The
young woman laughed and extended her hand. “You wouldn't be the first woman to
be unnerved by the dashing Jacques LeFevre. I'm Helene Dubec.”
    Bella
gratefully shook the other woman's hand. “Pleased to meet you, Helene. I'm
Bella De La Rosa.”
    “Nice
to meet you, too, Bella.” Eyeing Bella's costume, the girl chuckled. “I must
say you made some entrance tonight—”
    “You
saw me?”
    “Oh,
yes, I'm in the chorus. I was onstage when you appeared, and I don't know if
I've ever seen anything quite so bizarre. All of a sudden—pouf!—there you were.
No one can even remember seeing you enter the stage.” The girl playfully tapped
Bella’s arm. “And I must say I've never before seen Jacques LeFevre go blank
and stop singing that way—not for any woman!”
    Bella
laughed. “I'm really quite embarrassed about the entire incident.”
    Helene's
green eyes twinkled. “If you don't mind my asking, what made you decide to pull
such a prank?”
    Bella
felt at a loss. “If I told you, I'm afraid you'd never believe me.”
    “Doubtless
not,” Helene agreed, laughing. A thoughtful expression drifted in. “Is there
anything I can do for you, Bella? You do seem rather out of your element.”
    Bella
bit her lip. Helene seemed very nice, but she was not certain just what she
should, or could, safely confide regarding her own situation. If she told
Helene the truth, the girl would surely think Bella crazy. Indeed, Bella
already suspected that she might have a few bats sailing around in her belfry.
    “Bella?”
Helene prodded. “I'd be happy to help you if I can.”
    With
a sigh, Bella admitted, “To tell you the truth, I am completely lost. I don't
even have a place to stay tonight.”
    Her
face twisting with sympathy, Helene touched Bella's arm. “Oh, poor heart. You
must stay with me, then.”
    “But
I wouldn't want to impose—”
    “Nonsense,”
Helene assured her. “As a matter of fact, I've been looking for another young
lady with whom I can share the rental on my apartment.”
    Just
like Dixie back in the present, Bella thought with awe. Awkwardly, she replied,
“That's so generous of you. But I'm afraid I can't even pay you any rent right
now—”
    Helene
waved her off. “Oh, don't worry about that. I heard the other girls gossiping
about how Jacques is determined to have you join the troupe. You'll be paid by
the company soon enough, I'm sure.”
    Bella
felt color flooding her cheeks. “Very well, then, I'll go home with you, on the
condition that I pay you my rent with my very first paycheck.”
    Helene
nodded. “My dear, you have a bargain.” She looked Bella over and frowned.
“Don't you want to change before we leave?”
    Glancing
down at her voluminous classical gown, Bella felt miserably embarrassed. “This
is . . . well, I don't have any other clothing.”
    “Oh,
my!” cried Helene, aghast. “You really are lost! You mean you have no other
garments—nothing?”
    Bella
searched her mind for a suitable explanation. Finally, as