The Moon Master's Ball (15 page)

“Excuse me.” Drusilla heard a deep voice
behind her shoulder. “I believe you honored me with the promise of
a dance?”

She turned to see the prince waiting, hand
outstretched. She dropped a graceful curtsey. “The honor is mine,
Your Highness.” She allowed him to lead her to the center of the
room.

It was indeed an honor for her; this was the
beginning of her fourth season in society, and she had never
boasted any serious beaux. In the opinion of most young men, her
fortune was not enough to offset her awkward height, plain face,
and flaming hair. Thanks to her stepsister’s charm, however, she
was now dancing with the crown prince.

I believe this is one of those stories
spinster aunts tell their nieces
ad nauseam
,
she mused.
“Did you hear about the time I danced with the prince?”
Drusilla felt sorry for her future nieces.

The prince was charming in every way. His
dancing was impeccable, and his smile made her heart beat faster,
even though she knew it was on Arella’s account. She could see why
all the other girls in the room tittered foolishly at him.

Frederick forced himself to focus on
Drusilla instead of letting his eyes wander to her lovely
stepsister. “I trust you and your family are in good health this
evening?” he began courteously.

“Very good health, Your Highness, I thank
you. I trust the same for you.” Drusilla didn’t know if what she
had just said was technically true; Arella seemed rather unwell,
actually. But Drusilla was never one to be remiss regarding
etiquette.

Frederick nodded an acknowledgment to her
good wishes. He was tired of conversations such as this—polite
tidbits that interested neither party. At least this girl didn’t
simper. And she danced well—very well, in fact.
No great beauty,
but quite acceptable for a stepsister-in-law.

Tired or not of such conversation, such
conversation must be had. They spoke courteously throughout the
rest of the dance. With the closing chord, he made an elegant bow,
matched by her equally elegant curtsey. “I thank you for the
dance,” he said. “It was a pleasure.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Your Highness.”
If she had lied a bit earlier regarding the health of her family,
at least this statement was entirely true.

Another man claimed her. Though not sought
after as a wife, Drusilla was a good dancer and had sufficient
partners.

Frederick smiled. Now he could finally speak
to Arella.

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