Chapter 11
Inside the gown, I did feel confident, but there was an internal uproar concerning Mr. Evergreen. On one hand,I had spent the better half of an hour convincing Miss Josie that naughty swordsmen were not worth gossiping about—she teased me about the color of my face—and on the other, a foolish, dangerous desire to find the man emerged. I thought of twirling around him in demonstration of my tablecloth’s premiere but dismissed the idea as soon as it arrived. Then I found solace that he would not be at the dance.
What would it prove?I asked myself. Mr. Evergreen would comment upon my spinning, declaring it incorrect or reminding me that a spin in Chalke was—it didn’t matter. Thinking about him would only eat into my evening dancing with the Prince.
The Prince.
Myprince.
The man I was engaged to.Sameer,I reminded myself.
My shoes anxiously tapped the marble floor, just outside the grand entry of the ballroom. I waited for the herald to announce my name. After what felt like an unnecessarily long time alone with my undying, frustrating ideas that seemingly kept circling back to how to apologize to Mr. Evergreen, it was my turn.
“Presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Svana Eisson, of the Oreian Empire!”
The music picked up, and I tried to manage how badly I shook as I entered an absolute sea of eyes. There were two ballrooms back home, but neither had ever been in commission in mylifetime. Sam’s palace was…strangely occupied and well-used. The staff knew exactly where to be when needed, and everything was coordinated and pretty.
On cue, a young waiter appeared at my side and offered me a flute of champagne.
“Thank you,” I said, bringing it immediately to my lips.
“I did not believe it could be done,”Sameer said from behind me. I spun, greeting him with a silly smile.
“What could not be done?” I asked. “The ball? It did come together very nicely.”
He smirked and glanced at the man beside him, some other lord. Something in me was disappointed that it wasn’t his instructor.
“That you could look more stunning than you did this morning, my love,” he said. “Honestly. I am moved.”
I snickered. “I-This is my first ball.”
He nodded.
“I… I think I told you that,” I said.
His party grew, two women, one crimson-haired and the other blonde.
Sam explained, “This is Lord Barrington; his father plays chess with mine. Miss Aster and Miss Agatha; sisters.”
“Our fatheradviseshis,” Agatha said.
“We’re the Coin,” the redhead sang.
“Attie,” she nudged her arm. “We are in proper company. This is the Princess, yes?”
“Of course I know,” Aster said. Shedidn’tmind, and she met me with a look that showed it. “I think the Princess thinks I’m funny.”
I couldn’t conjure something witty to say. I said, “Is your father Mr. Adeline? I met him. He’s very kind.”
“Great,” Attie said.
“Well, I’m Svana,” I said.
“Aggy,” Agatha said. “Did I hear this was your first ball? Here? Or ever?”
“Obviously here,” Attie moaned.
“Actually… I, I’ve been promised since I was fourteen. I’ve never had a season,” I said.
