Page 25 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Eight

Everett knocked onthe Middlefield townhouse’s front door. It swung open and Marsh greeted him.

“It is nice to see you again so soon, Your Grace,” the butler said. “Lady Middlefield told me she is expecting you.”

“There you are, Everett,” Tessa said as she glided down the stairs. “I was becoming worried about you. I thought your visit with Louisa was at eleven o’clock. I thought that would put you back here by noon.”

“I did see Miss Goulding at eleven as planned,” he told her. “I had one other thing to do before I returned here. I hope I have not inconvenienced you, Tessa.”

“You could never inconvenience me, Everett. Come, I will take you to our ballroom.”

“The ballroom?” he asked.

“Yes, it will give us ample room to begin your dance lessons. Come along,” she said, slipping her arm into his and leading him upstairs.

As they stepped into the enormous ballroom, a wave of nerves filled him. His heart sped up and his mouth grew dry. If he felt this nervous now in an empty ballroom, what would it be like when it was filled with the members of Polite Society?

Tessa led him to the center of the room and explained reels to him, both their structure and how the accent fell on the first and third beats of the music.

“Reels are very lively,” she noted. “The music is played quickly, with dancers weaving in and out. A six-hand reel involves three couples. A four-hand Scottish reel includes two couples.

She showed him the footwork and they worked on it for several minutes, with Tessa calling out what foot to move and when to do so.

The English country dances made more sense to him. She said the most popular form was a longways set, where couples formed long lines and repeatedly executed a predetermined sequence of figures. Usually, this was done in couples but sometimes with a group of people. Everett came to understand how the figures involved interacting not only with your chosen partner but that you would progress so that eventually you danced with everyone in your set.

Her patience was endless and he began to anticipate what sequence came next and what figures would occur. Though he seemed a bit stiff at times, he now had the rudiments down.

“You really are getting the idea, Everett,” Tessa praised.

“Even if I do lumber about with no rhythm?” he asked, grinning cheekily.

“Practice will help you become more comfortable with dancing,” she said. “It is the same with my piano playing. When I begin to learn a new piece, it seems as though I have ten thumbs instead of two. After I spend time with the music, however, going over and over sections that prove difficult to play, it all comes together seamlessly. The same will be true of you with dancing.”

Tessa glanced over his shoulder and Everett turned, seeing a servant standing against the wall, wondering how long she had been present.

“Abra,” Tessa called, “please go fetch my husband.”

The servant left and Everett asked, “Do you think I need to show off my new skills to Spence already? I fear I may forget everything you have taught me with an audience watching.”

She chuckled. “No, I want Spencer and my lady’s maid, Abra, to join us. I have walked you through several things but it would be good to have another couple here to interact with. That will test your ability and memory.”

Everett felt it unusual that Tessa would include her lady’s maid in his dance lessons but then decided it could only benefit him. Anything that would help him from embarrassing himself in front of thetonwould be welcomed.

Soon, Spence arrived and Tessa took charge as any good officer would, putting them through their paces and having them repeat steps multiple times. She was right, though. The more he went through the steps, the more at ease he felt. The few times he did make a mistake, he quickly realized what had gone wrong and was able to correct himself.

“You’re doing well, Your Grace,” Abra said. “You have caught on faster than his lordship did.”

Everett hadn’t thought to ask how Spence learned to dance.

Abra complimented him on one move but then told him he was doing something wrong and corrected him, showing Everett exactly what to do. His face must have betrayed he was a little taken aback by her forthrightness and ease in a duke’s presence, for she grinned at him and said, “I’m not your typical lady’s maid, Your Grace.”

Abra led him back to Spence and Tessa and they commenced again. Everett actually found himself enjoying the lesson and was saddened when Marsh appeared and told them it was time for tea.

Spence looked to him. “I suppose you’ll want to stay for tea, Ev. It seems you are eating me out of house and home,” he teased. “Why, I believe you spend most of your waking hours here. Perhaps Tessa can have Mrs. Marsh assign a guest bedchamber to you and then you won’t ever have to go home.”

Everett felt his face flush and Tessa quickly said, “Don’t listen to him. We always enjoy your company.”

They began moving to exit the ballroom and he said, “I must apologize for monopolizing your time. I know enough to get by at a ball now, Tessa. You do not have to continue my lessons.”

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