Page 58 of Dropping the Ball

Bernadette let out a breath, sinking into the embrace-like position of the dance. “Are you certain of that?” she asked.

Alden looked directly at her for the first time as the orchestra began the prelude of the dance, which was designed to give more couples a chance to join in. As couples flocked to join them, he smiled at her.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” he said. “Green suits you.”

Bernadette opened her mouth to protest that she was wearing blue, then remembered Egbert sitting on her shoulders. She smiled back despite her anxiety over the bind they found themselves in.

“I feel as though I must remind you this is not a game,” she said as the dance began in earnest and Alden deftly moved her into the first steps.

“Oh, I know it is not,” Alden said, seemingly unable not to smile. “But I have an extraordinarily difficult time maintaining my focus on anything dire when you look as beautiful as you do now.”

“Flatterer,” Bernadette teased him.

“Minx,” Alden growled at her in return.

They were very much in danger of exposing their true feelings to everyone around them. Indeed, more than a few of the couples dancing close by stole glances at them that hinted they could see past the charade of professionalism Bernadette had tried to maintain since the weekend began.

“What does Lady Gladys think she’s won?” Bernadette asked at length, after the steps of the dance had taken them around in enough circles for her to spot Lady Gladys watching them from the side with a narrow-eyed look of calculation.

Alden sighed briefly, then said, “She has proposed a scenario in which I marry her, but whisk you away from Wessex and the impending rage of Hethersett so that I might protect you.”

Bernadette nearly missed a few steps in the dance. “Protect me from Hethersett?” she asked.

“Yes,” Alden said. “She claims your husband has a violent temper.”

Bernadette’s jaw dropped. “He does not,” she protested. “In all the years I have been writing to Hethersett, not once has he expressed anything that could be described as violent.”

“Truly?” Alden asked as the dance reached its peak, couples swirling all around them, happy and carefree.

“If anything, Hethersett is as mild as a maiden in the sentiments he’s expressed to me,” Bernadette went on. “He tells me more about the fashions of the Norwegian and Swedishcourts than he does anything martial or manly. He is fond of children and has written to me about a few of the palace children in particular since they were born.”

Alden blinked, his brow creasing in a frown. “Has he?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t suppose–” He paused, looking awkward for a moment.

“That he, perhaps, prefers men to women?” Bernadette finished his question.

“Well, yes,” Alden said.

“I do not know,” Bernadette said. “That would make matters easier, though.”

“It certainly would,” Alden said, looking as though a whole new possibility had opened up to him. “How would we discover–”

He was unable to finish that question either, as the dance ended and Lady Gladys marched onto the dance floor, heading straight toward them.

“My lord,” she said with an impatient smile for Alden. “I believe now would be a good time for you to announce your marital intentions. This way, the important part of the evening can be faced directly, and afterwards, your guests could enjoy each other’s company.”

“I am not so certain–” Bernadette started.

“You are not involved in this,” Lady Gladys cut her off.

“Bernadette most certainly is involved,” Alden said, frowning at Lady Gladys. “She is at the very center of every decision about my future happiness that I will or can make.”

“Whatever the case may be,” Lady Gladys said impatiently, gesturing as if Bernadette was a fly she was attempting to shoo away, “you must make an announcement immediately. The sooner the better.”

“I will make an announcement when I am ready,” Alden said, attempting to turn back to Bernadette.

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