02

I took his hand hesitantly and set my book down. He led me to the center of the room, where we were surrounded by other couples, all dancing to the music.

"I apologize, in advance, for whatever injuries I may cause you during the dance." I said, and then, as an afterthought, I added, "Or, perhaps, just for my terrible dancing skills."

He rolled his eyes, smiling. "I bet you're better than you're letting on, Miss Lovet."

He bowed and I curtsied to him and then he wrapped an arm around my waist, taking my hand with his free one, and led me around the room in an elegant waltz.

I could feel eyes on my back as I danced with this man, whom I still didn't know the name of. He was a very good dancer, confident, where as I stumbled occasionally or made a wrong step and ended up apologizing (this happened several times). I was grateful when he didn't point out my flaws or laugh at me for being as awful at dancing as I had warned him I would be. Every time I made a slight misstep or a clumsy mistake, I thought of Alice, knowing she would never make such mistakes while dancing.

When the song finally came to an end, he escorted me off to the side of the room and bowed again, and I curtsied.

"Oh my, why was he dancing with her? She has two left feet!" A woman off to the side said, not even bothering to keep her voice down.

The girls next to her tittered at the comment, before replying. Though, at least she was polite enough to say it quietly, so I didn't hear what she said.

I blushed and looked down at my feet, feeling completely embarrassed. She wasn't wrong.

"Ignore them. I'm sure you've noticed that women at court are rather . . ." He paused as if searching for the right word, "petty."

"I'm sorry, again, for being so clumsy." I said, my cheeks burning.

He laughed softly. "You were not as bad as you claimed to be. I was a little worried when you apologized for 'injuries.' However, you did not cause me any, so you are a better dancer than you give yourself credit for."

I smiled timidly. "My sister is a much better dancer than I am. She wouldn't have stepped on your foot once."

"Oh? Well that's quite boring." He remarked amiably.

I laughed, surprised. "I'm sorry, what is your name?"

He paused, looking a little slightly shocked by my question, but I couldn't imagine why. "William." He said after a moment.

"Surely you have a title, William?" I inquired.

"I do. But I am not going to tell you what it is." His sapphire eyes gleamed mysteriously in the warm glow of the lanterns.

"Why not?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He leaned in really closely, right next to my ear, and whispered conspiratorially, "Because it's a secret."

I narrowed my eyes at this and opened my mouth to respond, but was cut off abruptly by my mother.

"Erika!" Mother snapped, and I turned to find her walking toward me, looking livid.

She stopped before us and turned to William. She curtsied to him. "Your Highness," she said, bowing her head respectfully, before straightening and turning back to me.

"What are you doing?" She asked harshly.

"I was just talking with William, and—" She didn't let me finish.

Her face looked as red as my gown. "William! You do not get to address him so casually! What were you thinking?" She turned to William and curtsied again. "I'm terribly sorry for my daughter's ignorance. She means nothing by it."

"No, no, it's quite alright." He said slowly, turning to me.

"Are you sure, Your Highness?" My mother began haltingly. "If she's bothering you--"

"She isn't." He said patiently. "But I do thank you for your concern. If you'll excuse us . . ." He waited for my mother to take the hint.

Her nostrils flared as she glared at me and then she turned on her heel and marched away.

I looked up at William, speechless. "So . . . you're . . ."

"Yes, I'm Prince William." He said, ducking his head and looking uncomfortable.

And suddenly, I was horrified. I told him his father's party was boring, he caught me reading and knew I didn't want to be here, I stepped on his foot and practically tripped him while dancing . . . I shuddered at all the things I'd done wrong, and we hadn't even been here an hour.

I felt like crying. "I am so terribly sorry. I didn't realize you were him. I've been so disrespectful and rude. If I had known—"

He laughed and shook his head, looking embarrassed. "I'm glad you didn't know. I really didn't mind, Erika. I didn't tell you because you would have acted differently. I think you're charming." He smiled.

I laughed nervously, unsure of what to say.

"I must say, I was a little surprised when you didn't know who I was. Most people would have recognized me."

I ducked my head slightly, looking up at him. "My mother often tells me I'm unobservant. I'm beginning to understand why."

He laughed. "Can I see you again, Erika?" He asked, his beautiful smile making my heart melt a little.

I hesitated. I knew my sister had plans for marrying him. Father and King Henry were very close. I didn't want to ruin those plans. But I couldn't just say no to the Crown Prince of Belhaven.

"Of course." I said, my heart pounding so loud I was surprised he couldn't hear it.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Alright. I will meet you tomorrow, at three o'clock."

"Meet me outside the palace gates."

I nodded and curtsied. "Goodnight, Your Highness."

"Goodnight, Erika of Locksley." He said, bowing, before he turned and disappeared into the throng of people.

I leaned against the wall, watching couples dance, and couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, or the queasiness I felt in the pit of my stomach. He'd only just left and, yet, I already couldn't wait to see him again.