Bound to a Spy by Sharon Cullen

Author:Sharon Cullen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2017-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

By the time Rose and Margaret made it to the ballroom the formal entertainment had ended and the country dancing had begun, which was for everyone to participate in. Amidst much laughter and excited chatter people congregated at the middle of the dance floor to take part in a simple dance line.

Mary was sitting on her dais, smiling indulgently upon everyone. It seemed that even though the baptism was a few weeks away the entertaining had already begun.

Margaret and Rose migrated toward Emma on the other side of the room.

“You’re not partaking?” Margaret asked Emma.

“I prefer to watch. My feet can’t move like that.”

Rose loved to dance and she found her hips swaying to the music as she watched.

The cavernous room glowed with hundreds of candles. The swirl of the brightly colored gowns leant a festive atmosphere that had Rose smiling. This was what Rose had imagined when her mother spoke of court life—balls and vibrant gowns and people having a good time. Not the gossiping and jockeying for position and murder plots.

She shook that thought away, determined not to let dark thoughts ruin her night.

She hadn’t seen Lord Lysle and she was happy about it. She wasn’t ready to be on her guard with him yet. But, alas, her peace was not to last long for as soon as the dance ended Lysle was standing before her.

“I couldn’t help but see you from across the room. You are a glittering jewel in your beautiful gown.”

“Why thank you, my lord.”

“I was not aware that you enjoyed watching the dances.”

He offered his hand and she took it because it would have been rude not to.

“Join me in the next dance?” he asked.

Her gaze went to the people reorganizing themselves on the dance floor for another line dance, which would be safe for her since partners changed frequently and she wouldn’t be stuck with Lysle the entire time.

“I would like that,” she said, her eagerness to dance outweighing her reluctance to be with Lysle.

Lysle put her hand on his arm and led her to the dance line. Margaret entered the dance floor on Lord Smithfield’s arm and winked at Rose as they took their places.

The music started and they began moving. This was to be a fast galliard, more complicated than the dance before it. Rose was relieved to realize that she knew these steps. The dance was vigorous, combining small jumps and hops so that a few minutes in Rose was winded, but laughing and smiling with the rest of them.

She felt like a fairy sprite in her gown, jumping and kicking her heels up and laughing. She felt carefree and invigorated and, yes, beautiful. She felt her hair slipping from its pins but she didn’t care. She felt only the music inside of her, drumming its endless beat.

To her regret the music ended and Lysle found her to escort her off the floor.

“I’d say we should stay for the next one, but I am out of breath and in need of refreshment,” he said with a smile.

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