“I knew you would, Emile.” She patted my cheek and returned to the wardrobe, pulling out a chocolate-brown jacket. “Now, put this on. I simply must see you in it.”
I obeyed. And that ended up being the jacket I wore to the ball the next day.
I was nervous as our carriage waited in the queue at the entrance of an elegant mansion. There was a charge in the air, something lively. If I weren’t attending the ball under such pretenses, I imagined that I would be looking forward to this, especially given my present company.
“Isn’t it a beautiful night?” Blanche asked, leaning over to get a better look at the approaching mansion doors.
“It will look even more beautiful with you out there, sister,” Henri said, grinning at her candid excitement. He met my eyes and winked.
I swallowed and looked away. He wore a cobalt blue jacket lined with gold. It was stunning in itself, but cut to fit Henri … I could hardly look at him. I kept thinking about him without his shirt on, and how good it felt to be in his arms. Since that first night after my aunt’s arrival, we’d slept in our separate rooms, but I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought of sneaking over to Henri’s room in the middle of the night. Just to have somebody next to me. I still hadn’t sorted out my messy feelings for him yet, but he was growing on me, despite myself. Trying to manipulate him had backfired as I’d gotten to know him.
“I haven’t been to a ball in what seems like ages,” I said.
“I wish I could take you across that dance floor,” Henri told me, voice low.
I nodded, not trusting myself to look at him. I noticed Blanche tilt her head toward her brother ever so slightly, catching the longing in his voice. It was hard to miss.
“But surely Emile will be my first dance,” Blanche said, glancing my way. “Won’t you, Emile?”
I grinned at her. “It would be an absolute pleasure.” And I meant it.
After we were announced, I did indeed dance with Blanche, but her suitors were eager for the chance to sweep her off her feet, and she was busy with them the rest of the night. She looked breathtaking in a fuchsia gown. I’d done her hair again, so she was, naturally, a vision. But it was her ever-present smile and genuine laughter that really made her shine. She hadn’t been bragging when she’d said that all eyes would be following her.
Henri stayed by my side as much as he could, but we were also in demand that evening. I was flustered trying to keep all of the names and faces right in my head as I was introduced to one girl, and then another. I asked several to dance, since I knew that Aunt Cheron was in attendance somewhere and I needed to appease her that I was at least trying to make the acquaintances of women.
After one girl with a seemingly limitless supply of stamina finally allowed me the chance to catch my breath, I found myself sipping on champagne and watching the dancers with a smile on my face. Despite myself, I actually was having a good time.
I stepped over to get a better view of the orchestra when I nearly collided with a girl in an ice-blue dress. Her golden hair was up in a twist like I’d never seen before and I had to stop and admire it, staring to try and decipher how it was done.
“Hello,” she said after I’d been looking at her for a moment. She quirked an eyebrow at me.
“I beg your pardon,” I said, flushing. “Your hair is just amazing.”
“Thank you,” the girl said, touching her hair tentatively and grinning with pleasure. “It’s the latest fashion out of Paris. I wasn’t sure my maid would get it right, but she never disappoints.” She gave me a brief once-over before holding out a gloved hand. “Carmilla.”
“Emile.” I took her hand and lifted it to my lips.
“Charmed.” Carmilla looked about the room, eyes settling on the dancers in the middle of the floor. “It certainly is a lively party.”
“Yes, it is. I’m having a grand time.” I hesitated and gestured to the floor. “Would you like to …?”
I let my voice trail off and Carmilla offered me a dazzling smile before taking my arm. I couldn’t help but think that perhaps Blanche had some competition, after all.
As I led Carmilla onto the floor, I caught sight of Aunt Cheron standing with Count Montoni. She was staring directly at me. Pretending not to notice her attention, I swept my partner into a graceful dance. It was a lively number that required us to switch partners more than once, but at the end of it, we were back in each other’s orbits. When the music slowed, I put an arm around her, grinning. Dancing truly did make me feel happy.
Carmilla’s collar had gone askew, and I adjusted it for her near her shoulder, my fingers grazing over her skin. I winced at how cold she was. I found the room rather stuffy myself, but she could have been outside in winter for how cool her flesh felt.
Carmilla’s gaze drifted past me, and as we turned, I found that her attention was focused on Blanche, who was earning the admiration of many of those around her in others’ arms. I couldn’t blame Carmilla for watching the girl, or perhaps being jealous, but the look in her eyes was nothing of the sort. It was more wistful. It was the sort of look I had spied on Henri’s face tonight as we’d passed one another in the sea of dancing bodies. A longing that made me believe that perhaps I had more in common with this girl than I’d at first realized.
“Do you need a moment?” Carmilla asked me after a minute. “Perhaps I’ve tired you out.”
I offered her a smile and led her from the floor, bowing to her gratefully. “You are a talented dancer. And it was very nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” she agreed, eyes glittering with something almost wolfish. “Perhaps I will see you around, Emile.”
“It would be my pleasure, my lady.”
She inclined her head and walked away, glancing back at me once with a knowing smile.
