Page 73 of Disenchanted
The merry lilt of the music, the sound of happy voices drifted from the ballroom, made a mockery of the dreadful revelationI had just witnessed. Now I understood the reason for Ryland’s awkwardness during our dance, why he had not lifted me off my feet.
I sagged back against the balustrade, numb with shock. Florian approached me with an apologetic look on his face. “I am so sorry you had to see that, my lady. My brother is very sensitive about his injury. It hurts and mortifies him deeply to have it revealed to anyone. I could kick myself for my clumsiness. I never intended to expose him so cruelly.”
“But… but his hand,” I faltered. “What happened to him?”
“Alas, he lost his right hand during one of his dragon-hunting quests. My brother is a gentle soul. I never understood his need to prove himself in such a reckless fashion. He should never have attempted to challenge a dragon. He is no warrior.”
No, the man I had known as Harper was not. His folly infuriated me, chasing after dragons when he should have found the courage to stand by me if he loved me as much as he claimed. I tried to harden my heart against his dreadful injury. So, what if he had lost his hand! It served him right. But when I recalled the sweet music, he had made, the magic in his fingers as he strummed his lute, I wanted to weep.
My eyes filled with tears, and I had to blink hard to contain them. I started when Prince Florian touched my cheek. I had not even noticed how close he had drawn to me. Even though he was regarding me with an expression of great concern, I felt strangely uncomfortable. I inched away from him, but he caught my hand.
“My lady, I can see how distressing all of this has been for you. Please allow me to make amends by escorting you back to the ballroom and leading you into the next dance.”
Easing my hand away, I shook my head. “I thank you for the honor, Your Highness, but I am still a bit overcome. I do not feel equal to any more dancing.”
“I perfectly understand, but I beg you to make the effort.” A slight frown creased his brow. “I do not know what passed between you and my brother. Ryland has many excellent traits, but he can be rather impetuous and thoughtless at times. When you fled from him and he followed you to the balcony, I am afraid that caused a bit of a stir. I should hate for any of his careless actions to subject a lovely lady such as yourself to any unpleasant speculation or scandal. As his eldest brother, I feel it my duty to prevent that.”
“And you think that my dancing with you will fix everything?” I asked.
“I believe it will. I know that must sound ridiculously arrogant, but because I am the heir to the throne, many people set a foolish value upon my opinion, whether I merit it or not. My dancing with you will display to everyone that you are a lady worthy of respect and admiration and no will dare speak a word against you.”
I could not fault his logic, especially when he expressed himself in such a self-deprecating manner. I did not care what anyone here tonight might think of me. But any negative gossip about me might reflect badly on my entire family, spoiling Amy’s and Netta’s chances as well.
“I would be pleased to dance with Your Highness.” I said reluctantly.
He gave me a warm smile. Tucking my hand in the crook of his arm, he escorted me back to the ballroom.
The assembled company drew back respectfully as Florian led me to the center of the dance floor, but I was already regretting this decision. I might have done better to try to sneak back into the ballroom unnoticed. I was keenly aware of the curious looks cast in my direction; the whispers exchanged behind fans.
Although my face burned bright red, I forced myself to hold my head up high. I scanned the sea of faces, looking for Horatio, wishing that he would step forward to claim the dance that should have already been his. If he was lost somewhere in that crowd, watching me, he must think that I had run completely prince-mad, kissing one royal brother, and now pursuing the heir himself.
My heart sank even further when the orchestra struck up the strains of a waltz. It was such an intimate dance. My heart gave a nervous skitter as Prince Florian drew me closer. Ryland had been on the verge of warning me about his brother. I wondered what he had intended to say, and yet could I ever again believe anything he might tell me?
Florian seemed to be the epitome of everything a prince should be, handsome, tall, and broad shouldered. I always thought his long mane of hair a little ridiculous on a man, but I had to admit the golden sheen of his hair was rather pleasing when bound neatly back in a queue. With his hair drawn away from his face, it made his chiseled features appear more striking.
He twirled me about the floor, one strong hand resting lightly upon my waist, the other firmly clasping mine. I was keenly aware of the envious stares directed at me by the other ladies who ignored their own partners as they ogled the prince. Those women would believe me mad if they knew what I was thinking: that I would rather be at home digging slug worms out of my garden.
Florian smiled down at me, his blue eyes inviting me to melt in his arms, but in some odd way, that only made me tense. I stumbled along awkwardly, trying to keep pace with Florian’s graceful steps. I was doubly glad that I had not worn those ridiculous glass slippers Mal had given me. It was bad enough that I kept stepping on the prince’s toes with my soft, well-worn shoes. When I tried to apologize, Florian would have none of it.
“Nonsense. You are as graceful as you are beautiful.”
I pulled a wry face before I could stop myself. Unfortunately, the prince noticed.
“Ah,” he said, “you are one of those rare ladies who does not care for compliments.”
“I like them well enough when they are sincere.” I winced as the words fell out of my mouth. Mind your tongue, Ella, I could almost hear my stepmother admonishing me.
I hastened to add, “Your Highness is very gallant, but I know I am not a graceful dancer.”
“But you surely cannot deny that you are beautiful.”
“I would rather be thought intelligent or brave, Your Highness. Beauty is far too fleeting, and I have nothing but contempt for those vain creatures that spend hours admiring their reflection in the mirror.”
“Such as you have been told that I am wont to do?”
“Yes— I mean no, Your Highness!”
It is impossible to mind one’s tongue and one’s dance steps at the same time. I was not succeeding well with either.
