“But how will I know which dance they are dancing?” Avelina asked. “I am certain to make a fool of myself in front of everyone. Besides, I told Lord Thornbeck that I would not dance, and he did not say anything.”
Magdalen merely smiled in her pleasant, calm way. “You will have ever so much more fun if you dance. Come. It is not so difficult. We shall go through the steps again. You can learn these two dances, and if they are dancing something you do not know or recognize, you can say you are tired. But you must dance.”
It did seem as if it would be fun, if she knew what she was doing. So they continued to practice until they were both laughing and out of breath.
Hegatha came into the room, a stern, disapproving look on her face. “Dear Magdalen, you must not tire yourself before the ball tonight.”
“I shall go.” Avelina clasped Magdalen’s hand. “Thank you ever so much.”
“You are most welcome.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I am sorry Hegatha is so rude. You do not have to go.”
“I should go get ready for the ball. Thank you again.”
Avelina hurried down the corridor to her own chamber. It was a bit exciting to think of going to a ball and actually dancing.
10
HE NEVER SHOULD have let Jorgen and Odette talk him into having not one but two dances.
Reinhart stood in the large ballroom at the bottom of the stairs. Already the men were assembled. He had asked several young noblemen to come to the ball so the ladies would have enough partners for the dances.
He couldn’t dance, with his permanent limp and injured ankle. But the ball was another of Jorgen and Odette’s tests, a trial of vanity and pride. They would not have quite enough men for all the ladies to have a partner, so they would be able to observe how each lady dealt with this. Would they vie for partners? Or would they allow another lady to dance by sacrificing a dance or two? Would they compete for the best-looking and wealthiest men with the highest titles, or would they flirt with the margrave?
The second ball would take place on the last night of the two weeks. There he would reveal whom he had chosen to be his wife.
Already they were starting to come down the stairs to the ballroom floor.
The leader of the musicians was looking to Reinhart. He gave him a nod, and the musicians started to play, a sound that should draw the rest of the ladies from their rooms.
Jorgen strode toward him. “My lord, you are in a very good place from which to observe while everyone is dancing. Are you sure you do not wish some paper and a piece of charcoal for taking notes?”
“I shall rely on my memory.”
Jorgen bowed and hurried away.
Reinhart spoke to his male guests. When they had all been properly greeted and stood talking with each other, he counted the men silently. Only nine, just as planned.
Lady Fronicka was coming toward him. No other ladies had dared to approach him, but he should know already that Lady Fronicka was not timid.
“Lord Thornbeck, your castle is perfectly suited for a ball. I am very eager to dance, for I love to dance and could dance all night.” She smiled at him. At least her lips smiled, but her eyes seemed to be calculating exactly what kind of reaction she was getting from him.
She chattered on about balls and dancing. He signaled the musicians once again to announce the first dance.
“I shall find myself a partner,” she said, “but I wish I could dance with you, my lord.”
When he did not react to her statement, she turned away and approached a group of young men. One of them immediately led her to the middle of the dance floor. Quickly more couples followed. Soon the only person left was Lady Dorothea. She was standing alone on the other side of the room.
The music began. The dance was a rather complicated one, but the dancers all appeared to be proficient. For the first time Reinhart was glad for his lame ankle, since he was completely unfamiliar with the steps of this dance.
By the end all the ladies were smiling. There must be something about dancing that they enjoyed. Perhaps it was the way he used to feel when he had practiced sword fighting and jousting with the other knights—invigorated and alive. But with his lame ankle . . . he wondered if he would ever feel invigorated and alive, if he was always to feel somewhat weak and useless.
A second dance was immediately announced. The couples changed partners. One of the young men left the group and appeared to be asking Lady Dorothea to dance. She shook her head, smiling. He went back to his partner, and the dance began.
Reinhart started walking around the perimeter of the room and made his way to the other side and to Lady Dorothea. “So you do not wish to dance?”