Chapter 331: The First Dance
Chapter 330: The First Dance
Lyria’s POV
I smiled at him, the nervous flutter in my chest easing ever so slightly at his playful demeanour.
"Y-you may."
His eyes brightened with unmistakable delight.
He took my hand in his and led me towards the dance floor. The other couples parted to make way for us, and I felt the weight of countless eyes upon me as we took our places.
I counted the beat in my head, trying to recall everything Lucian had taught me during our late-night lessons by the lake.
The steps.
The rhythm.
The way to move without appearing stiff or uncertain.
I truly did not wish to disgrace myself.
Nor did I wish to embarrass Duke Thorncrest, who had been kind enough to defend me from Marquess Velmora’s condescension.
Most of all, however, I did not wish to diminish all the effort Lucian had devoted to teaching me. Night after night, he had patiently corrected my posture and guided me through every movement until they had begun to feel almost natural.
Duke Thorncrest rested his hand upon my waist, and I felt my breath catch ever so slightly.
He chuckled.
"Are you nervous, Your Highness?"
I did not answer at once.
I was too occupied counting the steps, listening to the music, and trying not to make a spectacle of myself.
He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice.
"Are you nervous?"
The sudden closeness startled me.
My foot came down squarely upon his making him wince.
Heat rushed to my cheeks at once.
"I-I am s-so sorry—"
I almost stopped dancing altogether.
Instead, he gently steadied me, his hand remaining firm at my back.
"Do not stop dancing," he said quietly. "There are many eyes upon us, and I have no doubt they are hoping to witness you stumble."
I swallowed and forced myself to continue moving, though my face still burned with embarrassment.
He smiled down at me, his expression warm.
"I must apologise for startling you," he said. "You were so intent upon the dance that you neglected to answer my question."
I let out a quiet breath.
"I-it i-is b-because I a-am n-nervous."
He nodded as though he had expected that answer.
"I thought as much," he replied. "Which is precisely why I have a suggestion that may put you at ease."
I looked at him curiously.
"A-and what i-is i-it?"
"Imagine that I am an exceedingly adorable little animal whose cheeks you simply cannot resist squashing."
I blinked.
Then, to my complete astonishment, he puffed out his cheeks and widened his eyes in what I assumed was meant to be an endearing expression.
It was not.
I could not help myself then, a laugh escaped me.
"T-that is n-not c-cute at a-all. Y-you do n-not s-suit the p-part."
"Are you quite certain?" he asked. "I have been informed on several occasions that I am rather adorable."
"P-perhaps i-if you w-were not t-trying q-quite s-so hard t-to b-be cute..."
I paused before shaking my head.
"A-actually...no. You d-do n-not f-fit t-the part."
I smiled a little.
"I-I daresay E-Earl Hawthorne appears f-far c-cuter."
His brows rose.
"You believe Big Man is cuter than I am?"
I nodded.
He appeared to give the matter genuine consideration before nodding thoughtfully himself.
"Well... I suppose I can see it."
Then he sighed dramatically.
"I cannot believe I have lost to Big Man."
"In t-terms o-of cuteness," I corrected. "B-but when i-it c-comes t-to h-humour... p-perhaps not."
"I do not know how I ought to feel knowing that you value me chiefly for my sense of humour."
"One I q-quite e-enjoy," I replied.
He studied me for a brief moment before smiling.
"I believe I can live with that."
As the dance carried us across the ballroom, he guided me a little nearer, his hand pressing gently against my back until scarcely any space remained between us.
The closeness reminded me of the first evening we had met.
The speeding carriage.
His arms around me as he pulled me to safety.
And the outrageous reward he had demanded afterwards.
"D-do y-you remember t-the f-first t-time w-we met?"
His expression softened.
"I could hardly forget it," he replied quietly. "Indeed, I have dreamt of that evening on more than one occasion."
Warmth crept into my cheeks.
"I h-have b-been curious," I admitted, trying to steady my voice. "W-what were y-you d-doing o-outside t-that n-night? I was u-under t-the impression t-that a-all the s-suitors were expected t-to r-remain w-within t-the palace g-grounds."
He twirled me gracefully, and when I returned to him, he was smiling.
"I possess a somewhat rebellious streak," he confessed. "Besides, it had been many years since I last visited the capital. I wished to see it again."
I regarded him thoughtfully.
There was something in the way he spoke.
A feeling that he was telling me the truth...
Though perhaps not the whole of it.
Yet I did not press him.
Instead, I turned our conversation elsewhere.
"Tell me a-about t-the Marquess," I said. "W-what did y-you m-mean by w-what y-you s-said t-to him e-earlier?"
One of his brows lifted.
"You have not forgotten that?"
I shook my head.
"W-why would I? Y-you p-promised t-to t-tell me i-if I d-danced with y-you."
He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Did I not already secure a promise of a dance from you before this evening?" he asked. "I seem to recall a certain agreement."
A smile tugged at my lips.
"T-this i-is not t-the b-ball I p-promised t-to d-dance with y-you at."
I looked at him with as much innocence as I could manage.
"I b-believe that p-promise w-was f-for a d-different occasion."
He stared at me for a moment.
"Is that so?" he asked, his tone filled with amused disbelief.
I nodded.
"So... i-if y-you wish m-me t-to d-dance w-with y-you again, Your Grace... y-you s-shall h-have t-to earn i-it."
He was silent for a few moments.
Then he laughed.
"You would make an excellent negotiator, Your Highness," he said warmly. "I suspect you would drive a remarkably hard bargain."
I smiled.
"Very well," he said at last. "You have earned your answer."
Still leading me through the waltz, he leaned a little closer.