Page 37 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
She blew out a breath. “Might as well.”
“The inhabitants of Neverland aren’t looking for a high-class woman who knows her manners. They spend so much of their lives playing whatever part Pan assigns them that they only respond to those who are genuine.”
“That is exactly the opposite of everything I have ever been told, I…” She chuckled, shaking her head.
Hook smiled. “You be around pirates, now, lass. Niceties be damned.”
They approached the main courtyard. A few men had gathered with a fiddle, concertina, lyre, and penny whistle. The musicians of Neverland. They bickered over what to play first until they noticed Madame Pearl’s ladies and got down to business. Cora’s girls drifted into the sea of pirates, some sitting at tables, or in the laps of their favorite customers, though others grabbed partners and began dancing a jig. Easy smiles and laughter floated up to the stars, along with the sparks of the flickering flames. Pitchers of ale sat on the tables, ready to fill the glasses set for drinking. The smell of smoke surrounded them, mixing with the carefree spirit. The kind Wendy would thrive on. Hook took a deep breath, enjoying the taste of freedom in the air.
Smee approached her. He bowed, holding out his hand. “Care to take a turn with me, Wendy Lady?”
Her grip tightened on Hook’s arm. “I don’t know the steps.”
“Neither does he,” Hook said.
His first mate winked at her. “Ah, not to worry. If old Smee can pretend to learn the steps, then you’ll pick it up in no time.”
Wendy agreed and Hook watched as they careened around the courtyard in what could be called a jig in only the loosest of terms. But she was laughing, joy sparking in her eyes. He’d asked Smee to do the honors. She still didn’t fully trust Hook,so he only added to her nerves. If anyone could bring her out of her inhibitions, it was his eternally cheery first mate.
Hook stood at the edge of the festivities, part of him always on edge. Any moment, Pan could take over any person and attack. But tonight was necessary to ensure the loyalty of Neverland’s inhabitants. It was worth the risk.
When the song wound down, Smee escorted Wendy over to a table of pirates. A few words were exchanged, and then those sitting about were roaring with laughter. Bodies shifted and Wendy and Smee joined them. Hook relaxed a little. Tonight was important. Not just so Wendy impressed the inhabitants of Neverland, but so she might hopefully begin to believe that they were worth saving as well.
He allowed himself a few dances. As the evening wore on, he kept careful tabs on her progress as Smee led her from table to table.
“She isn’t going to disappear if you take your eyes off her, you know,” Ivy, his dancing partner, said. “Everyone is smitten with her. Especially one captain of the Jolly Roger.” She gazed up at him with delicately arched eyebrows.
“Who?”
“Wendy. If you wanted her to steal everyone's attention for the evening, then the night is a resounding success.” She glanced around at the boisterous revelry. “Although, gauging from the drunkenness level and lateness of the hour, things are about to get a little wild, even for her.”
She was right. It was time for Hook to strike up the last dance. He led Ivy to the side and left her. After signaling to the musicians, hestepped up to the table where Wendy and Smee engaged a group of pirates in lighthearted banter.
He had held himself off this entire evening. He’d allow himself this one moment. “Miss Darling, would you do me the honor of joining me in a dance?”
He extended his hand. She stared at him, her lips parting in surprise. The others at the table had gone silent, all eyes on the two of them. She didn’t move, and he worried he’d put her on the spot, that she’d turn away from him.
Her cool palm slid into his, and she allowed him to guide her out onto the open cobblestone.
He rested her hand just above his hook before pressing his fingers under her shoulder blades. The soft melody of the waltz swirled around them.
Wendy’s expression lighted with recognition. “Fur Elise. I know this dance.”
“Contrary to appearances, we do try to maintain some semblance of fashion and culture here in Neverland.”
He felt her relax as they moved into the familiar steps. Her skirts flowed with her movements and her eyes were dark, reflecting the firelight.
“You’ve been superb tonight,” he said. “I expect to receive my own challenge as co-savior before the night is out.”
A small smile played on her lips as he took her through a turn. “It’s Smee who has been superb.”
“That’s a given.”
She released a laugh before giving him a considering look. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t Smee’s idea to attach himself to me for the evening. He has a fiancé.”
