Waiting For Spring
Chapter 12

The music had begun as soon as the King stepped out onto the dance floor. The melody permeating the air of the ballroom as the dance began. Skirts fluttered, and jealous women sighed, despondent at their misfortune of not being the king’s first choice.

His face was even more breath-taking than when I had seen it at the top of the ballroom’s staircase. His strong jaw held proudly above his broad shoulders as he held the tiny waist of the partner in his arms.

My head was spinning, almost as quickly as her skirts as I stood with the other jilted ladies on the fringes of the dance floor. Condemned to watch on as the king led his partner gracefully through the practised steps of the energetic dance.

Her emerald green skirt wove between his sturdy legs as he led her effortlessly across the dance floor with every pair of eyes locked firmly on the couple.

Her dress dipped low over her ample chest and without conscious thought my mind seemed to be keeping a tally of all my inadequacies when compared to the woman in my supposed betrothed arms.

Tendrils of her flame red hair framed her perfectly made up face and her smile only made her features more captivating. Her ruby red lips, button nose and vibrant blue eyes would help her capture the attention of any man, no matter their station.

She was glowing under the king’s attention whereas I suddenly realised I was glowering.

“Would you be so kind as to take a turn about the dance floor with me, Lady Anne?” I started at the sudden intrusion on my scowling to replace an amused looking captain extending his hand for me to take. I took another look at the happy couple and felt my scowl deepen before I turned back to Troy.

“I don’t like dancing,” I spat, spinning from him and marching off in the opposite direction. Surely, there was food somewhere in this horrid place?

“Lady Anne,” I heard Troy call, but I had already fluidly navigated my way through the throng of people. Dodging errant elbows and ducking wayward glasses in my determination to put space between him and me.

Daring a glance back at the dance floor, I realised that many other couples had joined the happy duo and yet still they were the only two to draw my attention. The warm candlelight from the solid, gold chandeliers cast them in an ethereal glow, like a vision or a dream.

In my distraction, it allowed the irritated captain to catch up to me, and there was suddenly a strong hand gripping my wrist, almost wrapping around it twice with his fingers.

“I understand you enjoy breaking the king’s orders,” he hissed, tugging me close as the music began to fade. “But, if you do that again I will return you to your rooms for the rest of the night.” I tried fruitlessly to pull free from his hold, but it only caused his grip to tighten.

“I do not wish to be here anyway. Your threat is more of a blessing than a curse.” I responded. Turning to face him with all the ire I could muster.

“You will win no favours with the king when he learns you left before the banquet even cooled. Nor will he be pleased by the reasons for your early departure.” Troy warned, straightening and dusting imaginary lint from his uniform.

“Oh, whatever will he do with me,” I sighed dramatically. “Lock me in my rooms,” I finished sardonically, finally pulling free of his hold with the intent to resumed my search for the elusive banquet table.

I had taken all of three steps before something solid stole the breath from my body and my feet lost contact with the ballroom floor. A cry left my lips accompanied by an equally feminine one at my side as I became nothing but a crumpled ball of sapphire skirts.

Gasps rang out from the people closest to us, but none of them seemed eager to come to our aid. Wrestling my skirts out of my eyes I looked to my left to replace another set of rumpled lavender skirts hiding a body beneath. My chest was aching from the blow, and I struggled to replace my breath sprawled out across the marble floor.

“Oh bother,” a voice grumbled from beneath the folds. “Which way is up in this useless contraption?” Her legs were flailing comically beneath the skirts, eliciting a set of tentative giggles from my lips as I watched her struggle.

“My lady,” came Troy’s worried voice and suddenly I was pulled from the floor and set on my feet again. Lucinda disapprovingly muttered as she tried to right me, while the captain ran his eyes over me assessing my person for any injuries.

“I’m fine, Troy,” I dismissed, ignoring the gasps from the onlookers as I pushed away from the two mother hens and walked to the side of the fallen lady.

“Let me help you,” I smiled, extending my hand and taking hers in mine.

“I feel like a turtle rolled on its shell waving it’s limbs in the air in the hopes I can flip myself,” she laughed, clasping my hand in both of hers and hoisting herself up. For a moment, I thought she might bring me down on top of her but she managed to steady her feet, and we were both saved another tumble on the unforgiving castle floors.

“Goodness,” she laughed again as she glanced out at the crowd that had gathered to watch our display. “I’ve made a right mess of everything.”

“We did cause quite the spectacle,” I laughed, joining in her mirth. She continued to smile as she dusted off her lavender gown before moving to straighten her dark hair. The silver pins seemed like stars against her hair. Almost as if they were trying to mimic the effect of the night sky.

“I’m terribly sorry for the ruckus I have caused. My mother is always telling me I’m so clumsy I could trip over standing still. Truth be told, I did that earlier in the night,” she mused, stopping in her efforts to set herself right, her grey eyes frowning at the memory.

“Well, when we are forced to wear such impractical shoes it’s a wonder all the women don’t fall with a single step,” I grouched, lifting my skirts to glare at the offending shoes. It was then I realised I was missing one of Marla’s deep blue heels, lost somewhere in the chaos.

“Yes, I have fallen down so many staircases as a consequence of these abhorrent inventions that I am surprised not every bone in my body is broken.” The crowd had started to disperse now the spectacle was over, and I was glad to have fewer eyes watching me. I tried to replace my errant shoe in the mess of people’s feet, but my efforts were proving futile.

“I’m terribly sorry, I’ve forgotten my manners. My father is always telling me they fall right out of my head whenever I have a sudden tumble, and I fear he might be right. I’m Alice Crowley, Daughter of Duke and Duchess Crosley.” She curtseyed, if somewhat jerkily.

“Oh, um, Anne Worthington, daughter to the Dude of Ascott,” I returned the curtsey, stumbling over the lie I had been told to tell.

“Well, it is most lovely to make your-” her eyes widened mid-sentence before she changed her words entirely. “You’re Lady Anne. Why this is your first night in the king’s court.” I nodded weakly at her eager tone before her face fell.

“And look how I have welcomed you. You must think me a right loon.”

“No, of course not. You’ve saved me from a rather dull evening. I must admit, I do not favour events such as these.” In the back of my mind I could hear the beginnings of another song, and with the rush to move to the dance floor I was resigned to never replaceing the partner to my pair-less shoe.

“I am afraid, much to my mother’s dismay, I might have to agree with you. Dancing can be a dangerous endeavour for someone with a grace such as my own. If given a chance, I may fell an entire dance floor with one wrong move.” She sighed with a wistful air about her as she unconsciously swayed with the new rhythm. “It’s a shame really, for a dearly love to dance.”

“I’m sure with the right partner you could be a lovely dancer,” I offered.

“You are too kind Lady Anne. My poor brothers were subject to many an injury from volunteering to be my dance partner.” She laughed, her lavender dress swaying with the movement.

“You have brothers?”

“Oh, three and they are all older than I.” She answered dismissively. “They make it twice as hard to replace a dance partner, with their intimidating stares and sharp words. It’s a wonder any man might consider me to become their wife.” I nodded vaguely as my attention was diverted by my hunt for the elusive shoe. I could have sworn I had seen it beside the plump woman in the gaudy golden dress but whatever I had seen had been hidden beneath the many folds of her skirts.

“My Lady,” a warm but firm voice called from over my shoulder, and without looking, I knew it to be the captain. “Is there something you have lost?”

“It appears, in the madness, I may have misplaced one of my shoes,” I frowned, tottering slightly on only one foot as he came to stand more closely at my side.

“Your shoe?”

“Oh goodness, I’ve lost your shoe. However shall you walk with only one shoe,” my new raven-haired companion worried cutting off the scandalised captain.

“I’ll simply remove the other shoe. You can’t see my feet beneath this monstrosity anyway.” I gestured towards the sapphire skirts, but it only seemed to make Troy’s expression worsen. Not to mention the click of a familiar, irritating tongue over my other shoulder.

“You can’t walk around without shoes, my lady,” Troy hissed, grabbing my hand as if I was going to remove it right then and there. Although, when you thought about it what good was one shoe when you didn’t have the other. Not to mention, my foot was currently aching from being jammed so tightly in the flimsy heel.

“Captain Hennison,” Lucinda warned, and suddenly he had released my hand before running it through his golden hair only causing it to look more like a rumpled mess.

Alice was still worrying beside me, twisting her hands viciously in her pure white gloves. It seemed a great panic for something nobody was at risk of seeing.

“He isn’t going to like this. We’ve been here no longer than an hour, and somehow she has managed to lose a shoe.” Troy muttered, his thoughts obviously too chaotic to keep locked inside.

“Why don’t I just run back to my rooms then and replace another pair?” I suggested, but it appeared he wasn’t listening to me. I was about to ask him again when I felt a gentle but chilled touch on my forearm.

“Excuse me miss,” a smooth, masculine voice interrupted, and I turned my green eyes to replace his. I was intrigued to replace they turned down at the edges and were such a dark brown they almost appeared black in the dim ballroom candlelight. They held a similarity to Simon’s eyes in their shape, but their colour seemed to be on opposite spectrums. With Simon’s being like the warm brown of freshly made mud after a summer’s storm. “I believe you might be the owner of this.” Behind his back, he revealed a small blue shoe, and I couldn’t help the slow smile that started to spread across my face.

“Where did you replace it?”

“Beneath the skirts of an elderly women who I’m sure thinks I was trying to act indecently towards her when I asked to look beneath her skirts.” He smiled guiltily, and I couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped me at the thought of the woman. “I was certain she was about to assault me with her rather pointy fan if I didn’t excuse myself as quickly as I did.”

“It was very brave of you to risk your safety for the life of my poor shoe.” I teased causing the dark haired man to chuckle deeply, his laughter brushing against me like a warm caress.

“My job isn’t done until it rests safely on your fair foot, my lady,” he announced, bowing with a flourish before he knelt before me with the wayward shoe in hand. I felt Troy tense beside me and was only then alerted again to the gathering crowd and for the second time tonight I had put on a show for the people of the king’s court.

Gingerly, I raised my foot allowing the man to return the shoe to its rightful place, holding it a moment longer than necessary causing my cheeks to catch fire. When his eyes rose to mine with a look filled with a warm glow, I only felt my blush deepen.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my eyes falling to my toes with embarrassment.

“May I have the name of the fair maiden?” The man queried, boldly raising my chin with one of his chilled fingers. I heard a throat clear behind me, and it quickly fell away.

“Anne,” I answered softly captivated by the smile on his charming face.

“Well, Lady Anne, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Faraday Gregor, and I was hoping you might be able to save me a place on your dance card later in the night.”

“I-” I was prevented from answering when a domineering presence filled the gathering, and it wasn’t hard to guess who it was when an eery silence swept across the once whispering crowd.

“I fear you may be disappointed, Lord Gregor,” the king’s voice boomed, instantly capturing the eyes of all those nearby. “Lady Anne has promised her dances elsewhere.”

“Of course your majesty,” the alluring man bowed, but the look in his eyes conveyed anything but respect. The tension that passed between the two men brushed against the onlookers like a warning, daring them to move closer. “My mistake, I had been observing the lady and noticed few gentlemen had approached her since her arrival. Nor had I seen her take to the floor. It appears my assumptions have been found wrong.”

“Indeed,” the king menaced, taking a measured step in the direction of Lord Gregor and it felt as if the room took a collective breath. Although the mysterious gentleman seemed unperturbed by the king’s attempts to intimidate him. The same tactics he had used on me after the pillow incident in my rooms. His blue warrior jacket seemed to stretch as he breathed more deeply only highlighting his fighting physique. His legs were planted at a wide, threatening stance while his hands gave the illusion of calm as they rested flatly at his sides. He seemed coiled and poised for the moment he could unleash. His temper kept in check, probably from years of practice on the battlefield, waiting for the perfect moment to strike his opponent.

“She must be a lady of great importance to you, your majesty. To have the captain of your guard as her escort,” Lord Gregor pried, casting a glance in my direction before returning his attention to the cold king. His face was a mask of indifference ad for a moment I admired how he kept his emotions well hidden, only allowing what he wanted others to see. “I trust all is well within your castle walls.” A small tick in the king’s jaw was the only sign he was affected by the Lord’s words, but he quickly masked it behind a patient smile. A smile that held just the hint of menace behind it if you looked hard enough.

“This is a time of war, Lord Gregor.” The king continued in a low voice, his eyes narrowing on the dark-eyed lord. “Not all of us can bask in the peace your own country enjoys.”

“It is a pity your two nations have been languishing away in this tiresome war. Marriage seems so trivial when it comes at the cost of innocents.” Judging from the spark in the king’s brown eyes it was easy to see Faraday had struck an exposed nerve and if the king’s actions weren’t enough of a tell, the Lord himself was consumed by a sly smile as he regarded the king. “Why not choose another to fill the princess’s place? There are so many beauties in this very ballroom; you must be spoilt for choice.” He waved his arms dramatically to the gathered crowd, and I couldn’t help but notice the way the women stood a little taller and the mothers thrust them forward, like sacrificial lambs to the slaughter. Just hoping the king might pick them. “You might even replace yourself someone who resembles your fallen betrothed.” I felt my skin burn as he cast a fleeting glance in my direction before he turned back to the king with a cunning smile. “We all know how taken you were with the girl.”

“That’s enough,” the king finally hissed, taking another step in the lord’s direction before stopping abruptly as Troy leant in to whisper something in his ear. For a moment, the entire room was silent, not even the musicians daring to break the stillness of the room. I watched curiously as the crowd waited with eager anticipation for the king’s next move.

Finally, the king nodded his head in agreement with the captain’s suggestion before raising his hand and starting the music again. Without taking his eyes from Lord Gregor, he offered the lady closest to him his hand, who just happened to be Alice. She shot me a bemused look before it was filled with unrestrained excitement as she rested her hand on his.

I was still distracted by the king’s actions as the music started again and the crowd began to disperse. Many of the ball’s guests were murmuring about the latest piece of gossip as they joined the festivities.

I was pulled from my revery by a gentle hand on my elbow and a gruff grunt instructing me to keep moving. I tried to protest, but Troy had already led me up the staircase and was nearing the grand doors of the ballroom without showing signs of relenting in his march from the room.

“I think the gossips have had their fill tonight,” the captain muttered as I felt the overwhelming need to glance back at the ballroom. Only to catch the piercing eyes of a certain king as he led Alice across the filled dance floor. Then we were gone, my short night in the king’s court over before it even began.