Page 47 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

He scowled at her before the instructor showed them their first steps. As they tried to follow her, Nate stepped on his sister’s foot. “Oops, sorry.”

“Poor Ellie,” she said with a giggle, as he stiffly moved again, nearly missing her feet again.

“Quiet,” he said as the instructor tapped his chin.

“Head up, don’t glower at the poor girl.”

Maddie giggled as he lifted his chin, held his arms high and tried to move his feet without stepping on hers.

“Glide, glide…this isn’t the army. We are not marching.”

Nate’s mind whirled as he tried to follow all the instructions, certain he was doing an awful job. He stumbled around, struggling to catch on to doing all of the things she shouted about at every turn.

The other couples laughed, each of them having a fun time trying to get the hang of it, but sweat beaded on his brow as he worried about embarrassing Elena at the ball.

“I need a break,” he said, letting go of his sister.

“You’re getting better,” she said.

“I’m not, but thanks for saying that.”

She flicked her eyes to the door before she grinned. “Here comes Ellie! You can show her your new moves.”

“Your Highnesses,” Madame Blanc said with a curtsy.

“Hello, Madame, how are our charges doing?” Elena asked with a grin.

“Making progress, Your Highness. Though I am certain you could show them all a thing or two.”

Elena flicked her eyebrows up with a grin as Alexander bowed to her.

“Shall we show them how it’s done?” he asked.

She tilted her head, and they came together easily in the closed position, making it look easy before they glided across the floor.

Nate pressed his lips together, disappointed with his progress, or lack thereof. He’d never look like that with her. Alexander whirled her around as though it was effortless.

They broke apart, and everyone applauded their efforts.

Maddie bobbed on her toes. “Wow, Ellie, you make that look easy.”

“I’ll bet you do, too,” Alexander said as he extended his hand. “Shall we practice.”

Her face reddened as she slid her hand into his, glancing at him throughher eyelashes.

“Uh-oh,” Elena whispered as she came closer to Nate, “she’s going to be enamored with him after this.”

“She already is,” he answered.

“Shall we try?” she asked.

His heart hammered like a geeky kid at the prom being asked to slow dance with the pretty girl. “Uh, Ellie, I’m not really good at it.”

“Well, of course not, you’re just starting.” She offered him an encouraging smile as she raised her arms into her form. “Practice makes perfect.”

His features pinched as he leaned closer. “I’m like…really, really bad. I stepped on Maddie’s toes constantly.”

“It’s all right, mine will survive. Come on, then.”

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