Page 12 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

Lighted swags of garland hung from the rafters of the ceiling. On one end of the massive ballroom, a giant tree decorated with lights. Next to the tree, the king sat in an opulent chair on a raised dais overseeing the events. Standing next to him was the prince wearing a white double-breasted jacket, white trousers and knee-high black boots polished to a high shine. On the other end, the orchestra played a lovely waltz. The dance floor was crowded with couples in their finery while other spectators stood at the edge of the dance floor.

Everything about it was magical and it made her smile as she took the last step off the stairs and entered the room. Heads turned as she made her way through the ballroom, her eyes alight with wonder at everything and everyone.

The waltz ended. The couples on the dance floor stopped moving, clapped, and then moved to the edge of the room. It was the prince, then, who walked from the king’s side to the center of the ballroom. Ella paused, observing his seamless movements with graceful finesse, his attention sweeping across all the ladies in the room. Her heart leapt to her throat as he lingered on her for a long moment, his focus intense. Then he stepped toward her, his intensity growing as he halted and then lifted his hand…to the woman standing next to her.

He bowed his head to her. “My lady, will you do me the honor?”

Ella’s heart sank as the woman dressed in a stunning sapphire gown took his hand. Together, the stepped into the center of the ballroom. The music started and they began to dance.

She thought for sure he was going to ask her to dance. She turned away, deciding that being here, at the Christmas ball was enough for her. Especially when she thought she wouldn’t be able to attend at all.

Across the ballroom, she spied her stepmother standing behind Lucinda and Daniella. She gave them both a nudge to dance with other suitors. They were hard to miss in their vibrant colored dresses. She spun away to avoid them, hoping they hadn’t seen her. As she did, she crashed right into the chest of a tall man. He gripped her upper arms to keep her from losing her balance in the glass slippers.

“Whoa there, my lady. Are you all right?”

She tipped her head up to look into the most dazzling blue eyes she had ever seen. He was handsome with thick, wavy chestnut hair that was long enough to touch his collar. There was an inherent, rugged strength about his face with a strong jaw, high cheekbones, a firm mouth. Touches of humor were around his mouth and at the corners of his eyes. He wore a deep blue double-breasted jacket with gold buttons and a spray of holly in the lapel. The long sleeves had turned back cuffs, also with gold buttons, and an elaborate gold trim around the top of the cuff. His white trousers were pristine, a stark contrast to his tall black boots. His cravat was the same color as his trousers, giving him an elegant and distinguished appearance.

“I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to—” She clamped her mouth closed with a snap.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, looking her over with concern.

She shook her head as he released her arms. Then she did a quick curtsy.

“My apologies, my lord.”

He laughed. “I am no lord.” He held his white-gloved hand out to her. “Care to dance?”

“I…” She cut a glance through the crowd, but didn’t see her stepsisters anywhere. She turned back to him, looking up into those incredible, mesmerizing eyes. What harm would one dance do? “Yes, I would.”

She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. He placed his free hand on her waist. She put her hand on his shoulder as he spun her to the music, falling into place with the other couples in a seamless fashion that felt completely right.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She focused on his perfect cravat, the way it knotted at his throat with the tiny gold pin. “Ella,” she said.

“Pleased to meet you, Ella. I’m Nicholas.”

He twirled her about the dance floor with ease and sure-footed expertise. She was exhilarated to be in his arms, to sway along with the intoxicating music. She continued to fix her attention on the pin at his throat and realized it was a tiny gold star with what appeared to be a diamond in the center.

“Nicholas not a lord?” She tipped her head up and gave him a playful smile.

He laughed, a deep rumble in his throat. “Indeed, no.”

“Well, I’m no lady.”

“Are you not? That’s rather refreshing to hear,” he said.

“Is it? Why is that?”

He twirled her, then brought her close, his hand firmly planted on her waist. “I grow tired of pompous ladies who think they are better than anyone.”

As he said it, he glanced around the room, his eyes landing on one particular lady. As they turned, Ella followed his gaze to a striking young woman who was tall, with pale features, red lips, high cheekbones, black hair hanging in waves about her face, which was not the fashion of the court. She wore a lovely navy satin gown overlaid with delicate gold lace. She held a fan to her face, hiding behind it as her eyes tracked Nicholas’s every move. Ella didn’t miss the penetrating stare she gave her as they twirled.

“You dance beautifully,” he said, trying to make small talk.

“Thank you. My father taught me.”

She glanced up at him through her lashes. He was smiling down at her, sending a warmth through her she had never experienced before.

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