“There, now you have it. We just repeat those movements and then swap sides.”
“You’ve made it so easy.”
He laughed. “Call it beginner’s luck.”
“Beginner? So you’ve not danced this before either?”
“It’s my first time too. Now swap.”
She crossed over with Ellen, circled and returned, impressed by her partner’s nimbleness.
“But how did you pick it up so easily?”
“I’ve been following the king!” He nodded behind Thomasin, and she looked quickly over her shoulder to where Henry andAnne were leading the crowd. “Besides,” he added, “how would you have known if I had set a foot wrong?”
Thomasin laughed. “I could have been following your wrong steps all the time!”
He turned about her neatly. “Indeed, I could have been leading you through some strange northern dance.”
They straightened out into a line, facing each other. The final chords of the music sounded, and she dropped her curtsey just as Giles made his bow.
It was when Thomasin straightened up that she saw, across the floor, the dark figure of Rafe, who had been watching them intently. A jolt of something raced through her. Was that nerves, or fear? Immediately the moment changed.
“What is it?” Giles read her face and followed her gaze. “Oh, this fellow again?”
She was torn. Stay here with Giles or follow Rafe?
“Thomasin, did you see me dance?” Ellen appeared at her side, glowing with happiness. Lord Letchmere was a little behind her. “We danced so well; Harry knows all these new ones and I just followed him. It was easy!”
“Unlike us,” added Giles, “because Thomasin led me the entire way!”
“Honestly, I did not!” she was forced to admit. “It was my first time.”
“And how very well you did, too,” said Giles, his eyes twinkling.
When Thomasin looked up again, Rafe’s glowering face was gone. Her stomach flipped.
“What is it?” said Ellen.
“Nothing.” Thomasin tried to force a smile but knew that her cousin was not convinced.
The music started up again for the next dance.
“Come,” said Lord Letchmere, holding out his hand to Ellen, “if you can bear another turn about the room with me?”
But Ellen lingered. “Will you dance again, Thomasin?”
“I must be getting older, as I need to rest my aching limbs for a turn,” said Giles, bowing as he stepped away from them.
Thomasin felt shame flood through her. He had understood her feelings and given her an opportunity to escape.
“You dance,” she said to Ellen. “I may just take a breath of fresh air.”
“Very well, but don’t be long. And you and Giles made such good partners, too!”
Thomasin smiled wanly and headed towards the door.
The night air streamed down coolly, smelling fresh and clean. For a moment, Thomasin thought of Catherine, lying alone in her bed, fears for the future looming over her.
