I sashayed forward and back. “And I had the privilege of dancing with your brother Ryland as well.”
“Oh yes, indeed! Good old Ry. He is a very fine fellow too.”
As we joined hands and circled, I leaned closer and said in a lowered voice, “I was so shocked to learn about his injury.”
“Injury?” Kendrick started, but managed to keep his smile fixed in place. “What injury?”
“His missing hand?”
“Oh, that.” Kendrick’s smile finally dimmed. “I am surprised Ry told you about that. He does not like anyone outside the family to know of it.”
“I discovered it by accident, but I assure you the prince’s secret is safe with me. I was just so saddened to learn of his loss.”
“Yes, yes, indeed. Terrible beasts, dragons. It was all so very sad.” Kendrick gulped, but then rallied, recovering his beaming smile. “But that was a long time ago. Ry has completely recovered. He’s fine now.”
We were separated again as we switched partners. As I went through the motions with a bored-looking baronet, I gave up the idea of getting any more information from Kendrick. There was no breaking through his barrier of impenetrable cheerfulness.
When the dance brought us back together, I was therefore astonished to see his face completely clouded over. Tears welled in his eyes as he confessed to me, “My brother is not fine. Ry will never be fine again. Losing his hand devastated him. Y-you see, he loved music. He used to p-play the lute so b-b-beautifully.”
To my horror, two fat droplets escaped and rolled down the prince’s cheeks. He moaned, “Oh, this is far too painful. I cannot talk about this.”
“No, no, of course not,” I said hastily, aware that we were drawing odd looks from the other couples in our set. “Please. Please don’t cry. We will change the subject and speak of something less mournful.”
He gave a heroic nod, but once he started to cry, Prince Kendrick seemed unable to stop. I made soothing noises, attempted to jest with him, but to no avail. Although he tried to smile, his tears continued to flow. As usual, I had forgotten to bring a handkerchief and he did not have one either. A few of the other dancers cast accusing glares at me, but most of them just averted their gaze in embarrassment, trying to ignore the weeping prince. That was all but impossible as we sashayed down the line. Kendrick sniffed loudly in an effort to keep snot from dripping onto the collar of his uniform. He still managed to curve his lips upward. It disconcerted me, this ability to smile and cry at the same time. Besides a penchant for deception, I wondered if there was also a strain of madness in the Helavalerian family.
When the dance finally ended, Kendrick wiped his nose on the back of his glove. His eyes were raw and red, but he appeared to have finally regained control of himself as he bowed over my hand.
“Thank you for the dance, miss. It has been a great p-pleasure.” His voice broke with a sob and he started crying all over again. He was still weeping as he staggered away from me. I became aware of the other dancers giving me a wide berth as though I had contracted the plague. The staring, the pointing and the whispers started up all over again.
So much for my reputation. By this time tomorrow, I would be known throughout the kingdom as the woman who had run away from one prince and reduced another one to tears.
I consoled myself with the thought that at least I would not be pestered by more offers to dance, but I soon discovered I was mistaken. Perhaps for some men, infamy only adds to a woman’s allure. I was still pursued by a few intrepid souls. Two noblemen, Lord Lovett and Sir Eustace, were especially persistent.
I finally discouraged them by declaring loudly that I had twisted my ankle and needed to rest. Because of my sore heel, I was able to produce a very creditable limp. My two admirers withdrew and left me in peace, or at least as much peace as I was likely to find at this infernal ball.
I did a quick scan of the room and was dismayed to discover that I had once more lost sight of Horatio. More alarming still, Amy had also disappeared and it occurred to me that I had not seen Netta or my stepmother since the presentation of the princes. Add to these worries the fact that I was no nearer to figuring out a way to get past those guards to steal the orb.
This night was turning out to be a total disaster. I should have followed my first instincts about this ball and remained at home, blissfully tucked up with a good book. I needed a moment to collect myself. When I spied an alcove just beyond one of the pillars, I limped in that direction.
Unfortunately, the nook was occupied. My jaw dropped open at the sight of Imelda ensconced on a settee with a grey-haired gentleman sporting muttonchop whiskers. Neither of them noticed me because this scarecrow of a man was gazing fondly at Em and holding her hands.
I froze, uncertain whether to retreat or march forward and demand that this stranger release my stepmother at once. Before I could decide, Imelda caught sight of me and snatched her hands away. She did not appear in the least abashed as she sprang to her feet and called out to me. “Oh, Ella, do come here. I wish to introduce you to an acquaintance of mine, Lord Charles Redmond.”
The gentleman rose in more leisurely fashion, bending down to whisper loudly to Em, “Only an acquaintance, m’dear?”
Em blushed and groped for her fan. “Chuffy, this is my darling stepdaughter, Ella.”
Chuffy?
I cast Em an astonished look. She avoided my eyes as I stepped hesitantly closer.
His Lordship was a tall, gangly man, clad in the sort of ornate gilt-trimmed frock coat still favored by the older generation. The stiff satin fabric crackled as he sketched a courtly bow.
“Charmed, m’dear, charmed.”
I curtsied. “Your Lordship.”
“Oh, no need for such formality, m’dear. You must call me Chuffy as your stepmama does.”
“Then you have known Em for a long time?”
“Oh, my, yes,” Imelda cooed, fluttering her fan. “Chuffy was one of my friends back when I was a mere slip of a girl. Such a long, long time ago.”
“Not that long ago,” His Lordship insisted. “And I was far more than a friend. I was Imelda’s most ardent suitor. Devastated me when she up and married that other chap. Just devastated.”
“Oh, pooh,” Imelda simpered.
Chuffy clapped one hand dramatically to his chest. “This enchanting lady stole my heart away and she never gave it back to me.”
“Old fool.” Imelda rapped him with her fan, but she appeared quite pleased with his flattery.
I was delighted that Em was enjoying herself with this old beau of hers. I wished I could leave her to her flirtation. It had certainly never been my way to bear tales about my sisters. I usually tried to handle everything myself, but after all the revelations and disconcerting turns this night had taken, I was feeling tired and overwhelmed.
I tried to keep the anxiety out of my voice as I said, “Em, I have been looking for you everywhere. I have not seen Netta since the ball began and now Amy has disappeared.”
“Oh, it is difficult to find anyone in this crowd.” Em dismissed my worries with an airy wave of her hand. “I am sure your sisters are off dancing somewhere.”
“But you need to speak to Amy. She has been behaving a bit too exuberantly.”
“Why shouldn’t she? She was the first one Prince Florian chose for a dance partner.” Em smiled at me. “And you have not been doing so badly either. I saw you led away by Prince Ryland. I was so proud of you both.”
“But not at all surprised,” Chuffy put in. “Such pretty gels. Those Helavalerian men are no fools. They’ve always had an eye for beauty. That’s why I’ve been trying to keep your stepmama tucked away here. Now that I have found her again, I don’t want one of those rapscallion princes snatching her away from me.”
“Oh, you silly man.” Imelda gave a girlish giggle.
I stared at her in dismay. Granted, Imelda had never been what one could call a sensible woman, but tonight she was acting as if she was a bit pixified. Uneasily, I recalled Ime
lda and the girls sharing the contents of that flask in the carriage and I wondered exactly what Mal had brewed into his elixir besides rose hips. If I survived this wretched ball, I intended to have a sharp word with him about that.
I made another attempt to bring up Amy’s impulsive behavior, but Em interrupted. “Stop worrying so much, Ella. Your sister is merely enjoying herself, which is what you should be doing.”
“Indeed, you should, m’dear,” Chuffy said. “If I am not mistaken, I see an eager young chap heading this way, no doubt in hopes of dancing with you.”
I groaned. “It better not be another frapping prince.”
“Ella!” my stepmother squealed and His Lordship’s eyes popped.
I turned around, wishing with all my heart that it might be Horatio, finally coming to claim his dance. My hopes were dashed when I saw Fortescue Bafton sauntering toward me.
The tailor’s son swept me a deep bow, trying to put some swagger into it. “Miss Ella Upton, may I have the great honor of leading you into the next dance?”
“No, you may not.”
His swagger vanished in an instant. He looked so deflated that I hastened to add, “I am sorry. I am finished with dancing this evening, but I am sure there are many other ladies here eager to stand up with you.”
“No, there are not. No one wants to dance with me.”
He looked almost ready to cry. I sighed, unable to handle the prospect of reducing another man to tears.
“Oh, very well,” I said. Realizing this was not the most gracious acceptance, I added, “I would be honored to dance with you, Mr. Bafton.”
Fortescue’s mouth tipped upward in a broad smile. I thought Em might have tried to raise some objection to me dancing with the tailor’s son, but she was so enraptured with Lord Redmond’s attentions, she hardly seemed to notice Fortescue leading me away.
I grimaced when I realized the next dance was to be another waltz. Fortescue took me woodenly in his arms. He had no ability to keep time with the music and we did far more swaying than twirling.
As we danced past that tantalizing arch, I noticed that the king was no longer ensconced upon his throne. But the two formidable guards had not shifted an inch from their positions. One of them smothered a yawn, both men looking mightily bored with their sentry duty. Nonetheless, they remained at their posts.
There was no way I would ever be able to retrieve that orb for Mal. He was going to be dreadfully disappointed, but I knew he would not reproach me for my failure. Delphine, on the other hand, would likely enact some horrible retribution, either curse me with boils or turn me into a slug worm.
I felt too despondent to care. I moved halfheartedly through the steps of the waltz, but it did not matter because Fortescue was not dancing with much enthusiasm either. I doubted anyone could have found a more miserable couple in the entire ballroom than the pair of us.
We danced in silence until I finally ventured, “So you are not enjoying the ball?”
“Not at all,” he replied. “It has turned out nothing like I expected.”
“Tell me about it,” I muttered.
He took my wry comment as an invitation to air his complaints. “All of these grand ladies from the Heights are so conceited and arrogant. They sneered at me when I approached them to dance. Some of them even behaved as though my mere asking was an insult.”
“Pay no heed to any of those affected snobs,” I began but was cut off when another couple bumped into us.
We were sadly in the way of the more graceful couples. I managed to take the lead and guide Fortescue to the fringes of the ballroom before I continued, “I am sure there are plenty of girls here from Midtown who would be flattered by your attentions.”
“Usually they would be, but not tonight. They are all too busy chasing after lords and knights and princes to have any time for me. But do you know what, Miss Ella? I don’t even care,” Fortescue declared stoutly. “Because I realized something important. There is only one girl in the world that I will ever love and that is your sister Amy.
“Oh, I know what you must be thinking,” he rushed on before I could reply. “That I am not good enough for that divine creature and you would be right. After all, I am a bit of an ass.”
I winced when Fortescue trod on my toe. Although I entirely agreed with him, I tried to demur. “Mr. Bafton, I am sure that—”
“No, you need not attempt to be kind. I am not an intelligent man. I always blurt out the first thought that comes into my head and it is always something foolish. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it, including Amy, but this is the wonderful thing about your sister. Amy has never minded me being an ass. She liked me anyway. I believe I was her favorite beau until this cursed ball.”
Fortescue emitted a heavy sigh as he twirled me in a circle that nearly caused us both to stumble. “Now all of these handsome, clever wealthy men have clapped eyes on my lovely Amy and realized how amazing she is. Even several of the princes are smitten with her. No doubt she will end up a princess, and I have lost my chance with her forever.”
I refrained from telling him that there never had been any chance of him wedding Amy. My stepmother would not have permitted it, not unless our family had become completely destitute and faced with the prospect of moving to Misty Bottoms. I had never been keen on the notion of Fortescue Bafton as a brother-in-law either.
But the poor man looked so downcast, I could not help feeling sorry for him. I was struggling to come up with some sort of consoling remark when Prince Florian waltzed past us with the youngest Miss Hanson clasped in his arms. I could tell the prince was subjecting her to the full barrage of his charms just as he had done with me, only Ivy was lapping it up. She did not appear under the prince’s spell enough to remain unaware of the envy of other ladies who had been obliged to settle for less noble partners. She directed a particularly smug smile at her older sister, Myrtle, who was without a partner at the moment and watching wistfully from the sidelines.
As Fortescue and I shuffled past Myrtle, I observed her face flush bright red. I could have sworn she gnashed her teeth with jealousy and the most calculating look transformed her face. Myrtle pressed one hand dramatically to her brow and it was as if I could read her mind. She had gained the prince’s attention once before by swooning. Why not try it again?
I recalled that the herald had not reached the Hanson household before they set out for the ball. Myrtle could not be aware of the king’s new edict against swooning in the presence of royalty. I tried to call out a warning but Fortescue and I had danced out of range of her hearing.
Caught up in his own misery, Fortescue was oblivious to his surroundings. He almost tripped over me when I came to an abrupt halt. I pulled away from him, my intent being to stop Myrtle, but I was already too late.
Myrtle staggered out onto the dance floor, directly in front of Prince Florian. She gave a pitiful moan and sank down into a graceful swoon. Unable to check his steps, the prince tripped over the recumbent girl and fell, taking the startled Ivy with him. Several other couples followed suit and tumbled into the flurry of tangled petticoats and flailing legs. I managed to avoid the collision by shoving Fortescue out of the way.
The music came to an abrupt halt. The dancers disentangled themselves and regained their footing. Some of them laughed, amused by the incident, while other cursed, rubbing sore knees and elbows. Florian was one of the last to rise. His queue had come undone, his long blond hair tumbling about his face, and there was a boot print on the sleeve of his pristine white uniform.
Despite all of the chaos she had caused, Myrtle maintained the pretense of her swoon, much to my amazement (although I did notice her furtively adjust her body to a more comfortable angle on the floor). If she expected the prince to sweep her up in his arms as he had done that day in the lane, the girl was to be disappointed.
Attempting to brush the dirt from his uniform, the prince scowled at her. A tense silence fell over the ballroom. Before Florian could say anything, M
ercato thrust his way through the crowd, his wizard’s robes flapping. He was flanked by two burly palace Scutcheons.
Mercato pointed at Myrtle and bellowed, “Arrest that young woman!”
Myrtle’s eyes flew open and she screamed as the two guards surged toward her. Seizing the girl by her arms, they gave her no chance to stand, dragging her across the floor.
“I say!” Fortescue sputtered.
Thrusting him out of the way, I rushed toward Mercato. “Please, stop. Myrtle meant no harm. She didn’t know about the new law. If I could but speak to the king, I —”
“The king has retired for the evening.” The wizard stared haughtily down the length of his long nose at me. “But I am sure His Majesty would agree with me that ignorance is no excuse. The law is the law and you would do well to stay out of this.”
I turned from him to appeal to Prince Florian. “Your Highness, please.”
The prince waved me away with an irritated gesture. He was too absorbed with attempting to bind back his hair to concern himself with Myrtle’s plight.
By this time, the guards had hauled her to her feet and the girl was sobbing. I looked desperately around for another source of royal help to contravene Mercato’s authority. But I had not seen Ryland since he fled from me. The tenderhearted Prince Kendrick might have been persuaded to intervene but there was no sign of him either or any of his brothers. I bit my lip in vexation. Earlier I had been practically tripping over unwanted princes. Now when I actually needed one, there was none to be found.
Then, better than any prince, I saw Commander Crushington forcing his way through the gawking crowd. I hurled myself at him, pressing my hands against his chest.
I have no idea how distraught I must have looked, but Horatio regarded me with alarm. His hands came up to cover mine. “Ella, what is going on? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Myrtle Hanson,” I gasped out. “The foolish girl feigned a swoon in front of Prince Florian. She didn’t know about the new law and Mercato is having her arrested and it isn’t fair. Please, can you not do something?”
Even as I pleaded, I realized I was asking a great deal of Horatio. The commander had his strict code with regard to upholding the king’s laws and I was begging him to set aside his duty. Horatio’s dark grey eyes looked deep into mine for a long moment. A troubled frown creased his brow as his gaze traveled from me toward Myrtle.
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