Page 30 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
The musicians started an introductory prelude, calling the dancers to the floor.
“Miss Alyce,” Nethenabbi said predictably, “May I have this dance?”
Alyce shyly nodded, and he escorted her to the center of the floor.
This left Valeraine standing with Nedine. And with Pemberley.
Nedine said, “Did you hear about the Wintgomery family? What a tragedy that all their menfolk are dead or in prison.”
Pemberley nodded. “Yes, I read the Scaleheart coverage on it. It’s quite a dramatic turn.”
“Those poor dears were in such dire straits, and then Lady Scaleheart rubbed salt to the wound by publicizing it. WhenScaleheart critiqued me and my brother, three suitors who had been calling on me stopped! (Of course, I have many other gentlemen still calling on me.) So I completely understand the misery of being so publicly ridiculed. You must feel the same way, Miss Valeraine?”
“I wouldn’t say —”
“She was quite disparaging of Longbourn, was she not? The masked rider may be the darling of some scandal sheets, but we all know who the ton actually listen to. If Scaleheart were ever unmasked, I’m not sure what would be longer: the line of people wanting to strangle her, or the line looking for autographs.”
“And the erudite would do neither,” Pemberley said. “Scaleheart is only a writer after all, and the wise of Kinella will reason for themselves.”
“Of course, I never read Lady Scaleheart myself,” Nedine reassured. “What about you, Valeraine? Do you agree with Scaleheart’s assessment of the embarrassing masked rider?”
Kesley joined the group. “Miss Nethenabbi,” he said, “you are resplendent, as always. What are you and your clever tongue discussing now?”
Valeraine could kiss him. Nedine’s attention was wholly caught on Kesley, and she could slip away without too much trouble.
The prelude music concluded. The musicians exchanged the sheets on their stands, preparing for the first dance.
Pemberley seemed to remember his friend’s previous hints toward manners, and begrudgingly said, “Miss Longbourn, would you do me the honor of this dance?”
“I’m sorry; I have already promised it to Mr. Sidton.” She would not dance with Pemberley. She still remembered his steady grip on her arm, pinning her in place. It kept playing in her head: him making sure she was all right, his neat stitches, him insisting she shouldn’t race.
She certainly didn’t want him to touch her again with his firm, cold grip.
Kesley gently took Valeraine’s hand and led her onto the floor, only a little late for the first dance. It was a slow song, opening the ball with a ponderous magnificence.
He put a small pressure on her left shoulder, moving in the routine of the dance. Valeraine flinched from the twinge of pain.
Kesley immediately adjusted his touch, only brushing her shoulder with the most delicate of caresses. “Don’t worry my dear, I know how to handle you. Sorry I forgot your wound.” He was good to his word, being gentle throughout the dance, never tugging on her arm or making it seem as if he was behaving oddly. A perfect partner.
“You did wonderfully in the race,” he said into her ear. “Your performance was incredible.”
Valeraine felt a blush rise in her cheeks. “Thank you. I couldn’t have pulled it off without your help.”
“I think you could pull off anything,” he said confidently. “Fiery Val, so full of passion and intelligence. You could do the impossible, and the rest of us would be so lucky as to be able to see your star shoot by.”
“And you, daring Kesley, will change the world with your smiles and spirit.”
Kesley laughed. “I’ll settle for upstaging my older brothers, thank you.”
After the dance, Kesley escorted her to a chair between Mamma and Merna. Kesley took Selaide to dance next, at her belligerent insistence.
To head off Mamma’s unfortunate matchmaking, Valeraine told her, “My headache is returning. I need to sit here peacefully.”
Merna put in, with dubious helpfulness, “When someone has a headache, they must lie down in darkness and quiet. Valerainecertainly should not dance.” Mamma was more likely to do the opposite of Merna’s recommendation, to spite the daughter she could not control.
Mamma, blessedly, was too distracted watching Alyce to pay either of them any mind. Her commentary and chatter continued throughout the ball, remarking on every development. “That is the fourth time Nethenabbi has danced with Alyce. I think we must get Alyce a new gown, perhaps also buy a wedding gown in preparation.”
Valeraine was content to watch the ball, noting pairings. Alyce and Nethenabbi danced together enough times that it was no secret to anyone they were courting, though Valeraine did worry about Alyce’s sore ankle. She would keep dancing on it, too shy to complain of the pain. Selaide had a new partner for every dance, flirting outrageously with all of them. Valeraine made comments to Merna, who always had additional details to provide on the person in question. Kesley danced with Valeraine once more, rescuing her from wallflower status. Valeraine wished she could be out there, capturing dance partners and hearts, but her fresh wound stopped her.
