Spindles and Thorns: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Society of Roses Book 1) by Melanie Karsak

Author:Melanie Karsak [Karsak, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Published: 2024-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

The Buckingham Starry Nights Ball

The exterior of Buckingham House was illuminated by hundreds of gas lamps. The servants who met the arriving carriages or steam autos were all dressed in silver and gold. Acrobatic performers with celestial masks danced, silk ribbons on batons twirling around them, as a string quartet played. Overhead, airships glided toward the towers at the back of the royal house, delivering the glittering assemblage for attendance at the Buckingham Starry Nights Ball, the highlight of the social year.

Everyone was dressed in beautiful gowns, the buttons on the men’s coats gleaming in the light. We had been given specific instructions regarding dress for the evening: women in gold, silver, black, white, or the deep blue of the night’s sky. Men in black only. The aunts were dressed beautifully, Kitty in black and silver, Sunny in gold, and Posey in a silver gown with just a blush of pink. All three aunts wore rose combs in their hair. The beautiful adornments were made of matching gems and silver and gold. After much debate, I settled on a black gown, the skirt adorned with crystals in the shapes of the constellations. Miranda had adorned my hair with black roses and tiny, star-shaped diamond pins.

“Lady Kitty, Lady Sunny, Lady Posey, and Lady Aurora of House Rose,” the chamberlain called, announcing us to the assembly.

The ballroom at Buckingham House was a breathtaking sight. It was beyond beautiful, with high ceilings, beautiful frescos painted on the walls, gold gilding, and crystals and candles galore. The ceiling was painted like a pale blue sky dotted with pink-trimmed clouds. The room had been adorned with a massive arrangement of white flowers trimmed with gorgeous gold and silver star adornments. A tasteful statue of the goddess Diana sat beside the queen’s high seat—which she was not currently occupying. Instead, she was off in one corner, laughing with Lord Melbourne.

“I must move quickly if I hope to catch a shooting star,” a voice whispered softly into my ear. “Already, the predators are moving in.”

I turned to find Prince Albert.

“Albert,” I said, turning to him with a smile.

At that, the aunts curtsied and then took their leave.

“Predators?”

Albert nodded, gesturing with his eyes.

I looked to see two of the very droll gentlemen I had spent the last few months avoiding moving my way. When they saw Albert at my side, they paused.

Albert extended his hand to me. “Let me help you escape. A dance, Lady Aurora?”

Grinning, I pulled out my dance card. “I don’t know, Prince Albert. I’ll have to see if I have room for you.”

“And the next as well,” he added. “Or… all of them, or will that generate too much gossip?”

I chuckled. “Two in a row will cause a whisper. More than that, a scandal.”

“Then let’s start them whispering,” Albert said, taking my hand.

We joined the others in the dance.

Across the room, I saw the queen and Lord Melbourne take to the floor. While the prime minister was old enough to be her father, the man was still, admittedly, handsome.

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