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We repeat our routine. This time, I am ready. I must focus.
It does not take long for the King to find me. The moment he sees me, his face lights up, and even though I know he must be faking it, my heart leaps into my throat. Before long he is standing before me, kissing my hand.
We both smile coolly, and Edward straightens up. "Lady Isabella," he says, holding out his hand. I take it, and we are off, dancing and whirling all over the ballroom.
"I see that the Wesleys know to teach their children to dance," he remarks warmly after a time.
"I am honored that Your Majesty is pleased," I say simply, not mentioning that a princess must be raised as a child to be a perfect dancer.
We chat as we dance, and I try to keep his interest; not only for my quest, but for myself. After some time, though, he lets me go.
"You left early yesterday, Lady Isabella," says Edward, like a father scolding a child. "Please, do not do so tonight. You must soon get used to the late court schedule. I will return later, and I hope to be able to dance with the most beautiful woman here."
I curtsy low, hiding my reddening cheeks. "Yes, Your Majesty," I say with a smile. "I will be here."
Edward leaves, and for a while I do not even notice my sister trying to get my attention.
"Alisyn!" Lady Alice finally hisses impatiently. Finally I turn to her, embarrassed that she should see me staring after the King like a lovesick serving maid.
"Walk with me, please," she murmurs, and I obey, looking confused; but my heart is fluttering wildly in anticipation.
"There is someone I would like you to meet." Alice's voice is a rapid whisper. "He is intensely loyal, I can assure you. You may not know him well, but he is a gem, to be sure. I would like you to dance together, get to know one another. Then we can all slip off, meet in the gardens, plan our next moves. I will go dance with Lord...Andrew," she finishes, stumbling over Philip's pseudonym.
I nod silently. It is odd to be taking direction from my younger sister, but I can tell that she has matured very much, and in any case, she knows what she is talking about. I have not been in court for...a long time.
A young man looks up at me from the other side of the room. Alice, as if on cue, breaks off with an encouraging squeeze of the hand, and the young man approaches me and bows.
"And who do I have the pleasure of addressing?" he asks, a smile playing on his face. I find myself smiling with him.
"Lady Isabella of Wesley," I say haughtily, with a little curtsy. "And you would be?"
"Sir Jacob," he says just as haughtily. "Of Portia."
I raise my eyebrows. My sister spoke the truth. The House of Portia is possibly one of the lowest families at court. However, if he is willing to help me...
"Well, I am pleased to meet you, Sir Jacob."
"Not as pleased as I am to meet you."
He takes my hand, and we dance. I am surprised that he is actually a very fine dancer. Not as fine as King Edward. But better than many higher nobles.
I say nothing, however. We barely speak at all. There is nothing to say that could be said in a room full of listening ears. With this mutual knowledge of my identity and my situation...normal conversation is impossible. But I am okay with this. It is nice just to dance with him, because he really is a wonderful dancer.
I am thinking about all this and more when suddenly there is a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Excuse me, Sir Jacob," sneers King Edward, obviously emphasizing his low status. "May I borrow Lady Isabella?"
Sir Jacob is unphased. He bows low. "Of course, Your Majesty."
I cannot be angry with Edward. He was always an incredibly jealous person. This characteristic snub only made me smile inside. At least one thing was the same.
"Oh Isabella," he laughs as we dance away. "You may be new to court and your family in disgrace, but you are beautiful, and you have the King's favor. You need not settle for the lowest man at court."
I lower my head, hiding my amused smile. "Understood, Your Highness. I doubt I could ever settle for any man, no matter how important, after dancing with you, though."
This pleases him, and we dance in silence for a while.
I have been daydreaming when I notice he is staring at me. I blush. "Is something wrong, Majesty?"
"Why must you wear this mask?" he asks abruptly.
"Well, Highness...I thought it was a masquerade!"
"Yes, but...you don't see anyone else following the rules after the first hour on the first day!" The king gestures to everyone else. The majority is indeed maskless. "They have all fallen in love and gotten rid of the mask." His tone is whimsical. "You are the only one who still wears her mask. And it is driving me mad, that I cannot see your face."
I say nothing, simply swaying back and forth to the music. Finally I shrug. "Well, maybe I shall keep you guessing for a little longer," I say with a flirtatious smile.
He laughs aloud at this, but then he leans in and whispers, "Come for a walk with me in the gardens. It is so crowded."
My heart stops for what seems a very long time. It is playing out so much like last time. But of course I nod demurely. "I would love to walk with Your Highness."
I realize I will be missing on my important meeting with my conspirators. But I cannot refuse the King, or all our work will be ruined anyway. So with an apologetic glance at Lady Alice, I whirl off with the King, outside, to the moonlit gardens, surrounded by ghosts of the year past.
 LadyAlisyn · Tue Jun 02, 2009 @ 03:06pm · 1 Comments |
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