This time, she drew Jasper along, and by the time they’d stopped at all the interesting tents, a few local boys were running along the road lighting torches to illuminate the way. Most of the vendors had closed up, except for those near the gathering at the center of town. There, all manner of food was sold, spirits flowed freely—many of which Jasper and Nia had sampled—and a mismatched collection of instrumentalists provided music for couples to dance beneath the stars. A handful of the couples looked to be well past their prime, swaying together, matching one another’s steps from years of familiarity. Others appeared tired-looking, younger, but in their thirties and forties, taking advantage of one night to neglect life’s responsibilities.
And on the periphery, fresh-faced youths gathered, joking, not quite dancing, possibly contemplating the lure of first love—a taste of romance.
Melancholy struck her. So much life had been happening in the world while Nia had walked through her father’s house balancing books on her head.
The unexpected wistful sensation nearly stole her breath. She had danced at numerous formal balls, but never simply because she’d wanted to. And somewhere deep in her heart, she wondered if what those young people had was what she’d wanted all along.
She’d had everything. She should not feel sorry for herself, but the moment felt bittersweet all the same.
Would she ever dance at a ball with Jasper? Had she ruined herself so thoroughly that she’d be barred from society forever? A tight fist squeezed her chest, and reality slammed into her. She’d never doubted that she’d have security well into her future, even if it came at a price. But now… She was free. But she was also without a foundation. Where did she belong?
“You’re falling asleep on your feet. Are you ready to return to the inn?” Jasper’s question broke into her upsetting thoughts.
She shook her head. She’d missed so much already, she wanted to taste it all—to leave with no regrets.
“I want to dance,” she announced.
She was tired and looked forward to washing up, but an urgency was growing within her, and once again, she reminded herself that tomorrow is not guaranteed.
“You want to dance?” Jasper peered down, looking surprised.
“Yes,” she said. “With you.”
The Challenge
Jasper had enjoyed himself far more than he’d anticipated. He’d been to dozens of fairs and had expected to spend an hour, maybe two, showing Nia around. But she’d proven as curious about all the offerings here as she was about practically everything else.
It was as though she’d never set foot outside of the prison her father had raised her in.
She listened eagerly to the young and old alike, opened her mind to new games, and even won herself a few trinkets. But for the blue ring, she’d given them all away. Each little girl she passed she’d declared needed a necklace, bracelet, or hair ribbon.
Those little girls looked up at her in awe.
Because no matter where Nia was, what she wore, or what she was doing, her nobility and the dignity of her character warmed those around her. She was Lady Gardenia.
Her grace and manners were not a façade, but rather highlighted the warm and giving spirit within. It was as though she desired to make the world a better place, and she didn’t even realize it.
But those children had.
As did the merchants who addressed her. A few had even curtsied.
And most surprising of all was her laughter. She’d enjoyed the festival but also being a spectator. And her comments revealed her perspective to be fair and intelligent. On a few occasions, she’d caused Jasper to see the world just a little differently, too.
She’d allowed him to pop a lemon candy into her mouth, she’d flirted with him, and now…
She wanted to dance with him.
Jasper avoided dances. He avoided balls. But he felt a surprising lack of reluctance as he led her onto the makeshift dance floor. He couldn’t have been more pleased when the music turned slow, the melody almost haunting.
A waltz.
Holding her hand and placing his hand on her waist was the most natural thing in the world.
Most of the other couples, having never learned the proper steps, simply swayed to the music, holding one another closer than was proper.
Jasper initially held Nia in the formal position, but as he led her effortlessly through the other dancers and then sent her spinning a few times, he drew her closer.
“I’ve been to a thousand balls,” she said. “But I never danced with you.”
