THE FIRST WALTZ
Ahalf hour later
When Ertugrul approached Rose for the first waltz of the evening, he had expected her to behave much like she had upon their meeting in the British Museum.
He had found the duke’s daughter pleasant enough, but her behavior had been aloof, almost proud. Familiar with roses—they were one of the most coveted flowers in Anatolia—he decided she was only living up to her name. Every rose came with thorns, and it was apparent Lady Rose had them.
Instead, the duke’s daughter seemed happy to see him, her eyes bright as they took their places around the empty circle of ballroom floor that had formed once the last dance had ended. Remembering his lessons, he placed a hand at her waist and held the other aloft, pleased when her own gloved hands landed on his shoulder and in his hand. A quick glance around the ballroom showed they were but one of dozens of couples about to engage in a dance that had at one time been considered scandalous.
Why, he had never been able to discern. Partners were held so far apart—probably because the ladies’ skirts were so large—there was no way any illicit behavior could take place.
When the strains of the three-count music started up from the five-piece orchestra, he gave a nod and led her into the first three steps.
“If I start to fall, will you catch me?” Rose asked.
Ertugrul furrowed a brow. “I am not that poor a dancer,” he replied.
“Oh, I was not insinuating that you were,” she said with a shake of her head. “I was in a carriage accident, you see, and my leg was broken. Sometimes it seems as if it’s not completely healed.”
“Does it pain you to dance?” he asked, his brows furrowed in worry.
“Not yet,” she assured him, giving him a wobbly grin.
“I will catch you, of course, but if dancing should cause you pain, please inform me. I will do my best to maneuver us out of the circle without drawing too much attention.”
Rose grinned. “Thank you.” She circled under his arm, and when her hand was once again on his shoulder, she asked, “Did you enjoy your afternoon at the museum?”
“Oh, very much,” he replied, his gaze darting about to be sure they weren’t going to collide with another couple. “Mr. Wellingham joined us shortly after you left and gave us access to the East Wing.”
Her eyes widening, Rose said, “Isn’t that closed to the public?”
“Indeed,” he said, and he had to wait a moment while she twirled beneath his arm to add, “But it seems Miss Adeline has some sway with the curator.”
“Oh, I rather imagine it was you who swayed Mr. Wellingham, Your Eminence,” Rose countered. “How could he turn down such a request by an important dignitary?”
Ertugrul chuckled softly. “I am not yet a sultan, my lady,” he said. “Which is why I don’t wish to mislead any of the young ladies into thinking I am a... a good catch? I think that is what they call it?”
Rose’s pleasant expression faltered. “But you are an emir, which would suggest you have some position of importance in your country.”
“True,” he agreed. Once again, it was time for Rose to go under his arm, and halfway through the turn, she seemed to stutter-step. Her eyes were wide when her hand went to the top of his shoulder and gripped it, as if she needed his support to keep her upright.
“Apologies,” she whispered.
“Are you in pain?” Ertugrul immediately scoped out the area around them, looking for a break in the crush where he might dance them out of the circle.
“No. No, I’m fine. I think I may have stepped on the hem of my gown is all,” she replied.
“If you’re sure,” he said. At her nod, he struggled to think of what they might talk about. David had warned him he needed to converse whilst dancing. “May I inquire as to your thoughts on marriage?” he asked. “Specifically, who on the list you’re most interested in courting?”
Rose stared at the sultan’s son, doing her best to keep her mouth from dropping open at the bold query. “The list?” she repeated. She nearly cursed at having to go under his arm again, but was ready to resume the conversation immediately after she had her hand back on his shoulder. “What list?”
Ertugrul blinked. “The list of eligible young aristocrats who have completed university, returned from their Grand Tours, and are not already married,” he replied. “And for you, a duke’s daughter, I would expect they must be sons of higher positions within the aristocracy, or a prince, perhaps?”
Rose blinked. “That’s rather specific,” she replied, doing her best not to offend the emir by tittering. He had a point, though. There was a list, even if she had avoided confronting the issue since the end of the last Season. “As for sons of higher ranking aristocrats, there really aren’t that many at this time,” she added, “so I have no expectations in that regard.”
Curious if she might divulge her preference, Ertugrul pressed the issue. “Surely you have someone in mind, and if you do not, might I make a recommendation?” he asked.
For a moment, Rose feared he was going to suggest himself, and she was relieved when she was once again sent under his arm. She knew the music was coming to its end. Perhaps she would be saved from having to provide an answer. “That all depends, sir.”
