“Yes, you were. But no, I don’t use it to fuck people, ever.”
“Okay.” She was nodding and looking at her shoes, thinking. “Okay. I can see that you’d be moral about something like that.”
“You do?” he asked.
She looked up at him. “We’ve been playing some games, but they’regames.I think I can trust you. I think you do the right thing.”
Maxence drew her into his arms and hugged her, careful not to muss her too much. Her soft arms hugged his midsection, and he let himself have the moment.
In the Gallery of Great Battles, round tables with seating for about five hundred people occupied two-thirds of the room. Maxence saw several more friends of his and introduced Dree around, and then the meal was spectacular, as he’d expected.
Later that evening, they walked the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, thus allowing his little blonde to check yet another item off her bucket list. He thought the black formal coat he had purchased for her matched her dress splendidly.
Classical music played from strategically placed, invisible speakers. The enormous trees were bare for winter, of course, and the fruit trees had been removed to the orangery under the South Parterre for the winter. Evergreen shrubs still lined the paths, and the grass between the walkways was verdant, if not lush. Christmas lights clung to the trees and shrubs, illuminating the gardens.
Max cornered Dree behind bushes, seeking to tease her once again, but she practically climbed him even though hampered by that sultry evening gown. She planted a rough kiss on his mouth.
He had to disentangle himself from her arms and set her back, but he whispered in her ear, “Wait until I get you back to the hotel. You’ve been a naughty, naughty girl.”
“It’s our last night together.Pleasetell me you’re not going to stop again.”
Maxence lied, “I haven’t decided yet.”
Dree began beating against his chest with her tiny fists, giggling effervescently as she did so.
The music drifting from the speakers changed, and one of Max’s favorite pieces of classical music, the “Vienna Blood Waltz,” began to play. He caught Dree’s hands with his fingers, clasping her left hand in his right and placing her other hand on his shoulder while he grabbed the deep indentation of her waist.
“Oh, are we going to dance?” she asked.
Instead of answering, Maxence stepped toward her, nearly tripping over her feet and ending up in a heap.
Her wide eyes looked more terrified than when kidnappers had attacked them outside the Louvre. “I don’t know how to dance like that!”
“It’s a waltz. It’s in three-four time, so it’sBAH-dah-dah, BAH-dah-dah.Just let me lead, and you’ll get the hang of it.”
She was looking down at their feet, holding herself bent over in a way that would never work for a waltz. “You Europeans learn this when you are kids, and all we learned in school was the stupid Virginia Reel.”
“So, let’s learn something new tonight. It’s usually a box step, but considering that I just want to dance with you for a few minutes tonight, let’s just go side-step-step, side-step-step.”
He taught her the simple sway, and within a few moments, at least they could enjoy themselves. She got the hang of it quickly, and he was able to turn her under his arm a few times and watch her grin at her accomplishment.
Oh, the things he could teach her if they only had more time.
He meant more classical dances and introductions to food and culture and travel, but the depraved things he also wanted to try with her lurked in the back of his head.
After a few rudimentary spins, Maxence clasped her in his arms and enjoyed swaying with her, her buxom curves pressed up against him, even though the waltz was never meant to do that.
“All I need are glass slippers,” she said, smiling up at him.
He didn’t get the reference. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’m practically Cinderella tonight. I have a new gown like I’ve never had before, and we’re dancing at a real palace,” she motioned to the majestic Palace of Versailles directly behind them, showered in golden light, “and you’re a handsome prince.”
Maxence paused. “I am?”
“Sure, you’re the prince of Monagasquay, second in line to the throne.” She grinned hugely at him. “Remember?”
“Oh, yes. Monagasquay, and I’m the prince.”
