THE BEGINNING OF A BALL
An hour later
“Who is Fred?”
David leaned to one side and regarded Ertugrul’s reflection in his mirror. “Fred who?”
The sultan’s son moved farther into David’s bedchamber, shifting his shoulders as if he found the traditionalkaftanhe wore too small. The navy garment, made of very fine wool and embroidered with gold and red thread, rivaled any of the formal clothing aristocrats wore to balls. Beneath it he sported a long gold waistcoat, the buttons looking as if they were amber gemstones. The baggy legs of the white salvar were gathered at the ankles into gold cuffs. Gold slippers with pointed upturned toes completed his court attire. “While we were at the museum, your sister told Lady Rose that she would find her standing with Fred.”
Pausing as he attempted to thread a cuff link through the hole in his sleeve, David turned and regarded Ertugrul with a frown. “I have absolutely no idea,” he murmured. He cursed under his breath, and Ertugrul hurried over to take the cuff link from him. He completed what David had been attempting to do and stepped back.
“Lady Rose obviously knows him,” he remarked.
David gave Ertugrul the other cuff link, but the mention of Rose had him straightening. “I hope he hasn’t claimed a waltz with her,” he said.
Ertugrul gave a start. “You wish to court Lady Rose?”
“Do you?” David countered.
The sultan’s son lowered his gaze. “I only met her this afternoon. I do not believe I spent enough time in her company to know one way or the other.” He winced. “I claimed the first waltz with her.” At seeing David’s look of alarm, he narrowed his eyes. “You do wish to court her.”
David sighed loudly. “It’s been three years since I last saw her.”
“Much can change in three years,” the sehzade remarked. “As have you.”
A grimace passed over David’s face. “When I left, there were three girls I thought to court when I returned. Two of them have since married,” he explained as he watched his friend finish with the cuff link. “I don’t know what I’ll do if Rose ends up with someone else.”
“I shall not pursue her,” Ertugrul promised. “If there is a polite way in which I can grant you the waltz I have—”
“No, don’t change anything,” David said as he held up a hand. “With any luck, she won’t have promised the supper dance to anyone,” he added.
“She hadn’t when we spoke with her earlier this afternoon,” Ertugrul said.
David seemed to visibly relax. “Please, don’t tell anyone in the family I am considering Rose. I haven’t even seen her—”
“She’s very comely,” Ertugrul stated. “Which had me wondering if there is some other reason than her accident that she has not yet wed.”
David considered his friend’s assessment. “She’s a duke daughter. Ariley would have run off the fortune hunters and, well...” he shrugged. “I might have mentioned my interest in her prior to my departure. Perhaps...” For a moment, he had a thought that Ariley might have dissuaded other potential suitors on his behalf. He shook his head, deciding that was merely wishful thinking. “I’ll never be more than a viscount.”
“He must respect you,” Ertugrul murmured. “Like you, even,” he added on a tease. He suddenly sobered. “Or do you know something he wishes to keep secret?”
David blinked, almost immediately realizing what his friend was insinuating. “I do not,” he replied on a huff. “Nor would I blackmail the man to get his daughter.” His gaze dropped to Ertugrul’s shoes and slowly lifted. “You’re dressed better than most of the women who will be there tonight,” he accused. “And all the men, damn you.”
Ertugrul winced. “This is probably the only time you’ll see me wearing traditional Turkish garb,” he said. “I hadn’t planned to, but your mother claims Lord Weatherstone’s guests will be disappointed if I don’t appear royal enough.”
David chuckled. “If all the eyes are on you, then they won’t be on me, and that’s exactly the way I like it.”
Giving him a frown, Ertugrul followed David out the door and down the steps.
George and Elizabeth were already in the hall, the viscount placing a black velvet mantle on his wife’s shoulders. “We’re not late, my sweet. They will be along at any moment, and...” He looked up at the sound of the Ertugrul and David descending the stairs. “Here they are,” he added, the change in his voice causing Elizabeth to turn and gape in wonder.
“Your Eminence,” she said as she dipped a deep curtsy.
“Your ladyship,” he replied as he bowed. “You are a vision,” he added before taking her hand to his lips.
George cleared his throat. “That’s enough practice. You’ll do fine this evening,” he said with a smirk. “Did you see your sister up there?”
David shook his head. “I saw the lady’s maid go in right after she returned from the museum.”
