Frau Geruscha would escort her to the ball. Her mistress didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the prospect. Rose wondered again about Frau Geruscha’s family. She hadn’t yet summoned the courage to ask her about her background, but her family must have been wealthy, since she could read and write Latin and had lived in an abbey in preparation for becoming a nun. She wondered what had caused her to leave the abbey.
Frau Geruscha may not have felt intimidated by the nobles and prominent burghers who would attend the ball, but Rose did. She hoped she could find a hiding place in the Great Hall where she could listen to the music without being seen.
The thought of seeing the tradesmen’s daughters, who considered themselves in a higher class than she, made the sick feeling in her stomach worse. She thought of meeting Lady Anne, the daughter of a duke, possibly Lord Hamlin’s betrothed. Her stomach balked at that too, so she closed her eyes and tried to think of nothing. That didn’t work, as Lord Hamlin’s face immediately appeared in her mind.
“Oh, Hildy, I’m scared to death to go to this ball. You should go in my place.”
“I only wish I could go. There!” Hildy took her hands away from Rose’s hair, staring at Rose from head to toe. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
As if on cue, Frau Geruscha entered the room. Rose turned to face her mistress and watched her gray eyes grow round. “Rose, you look truly…like a princess.” Frau Geruscha smiled.
Rose smiled back. “You look very elegant too.” The rich green of her mistress’s velvet gown shimmered in the firelight.
Frau Geruscha held out her hand. “Shall we go? I hear music.”
Rose took a deep breath, turned to Hildy, and hugged her.
“Don’t!” Hildy shrieked. “You’ll wrinkle your gown.”
“Thank you, Hildy, for doing my hair. You’re the best friend anyone could have.”
“So are you.” Tears stood in Hildy’s eyes.
Looking at Hildy, Rose vowed silently that if there were to be any more balls in her future, she would figure out a way for her friend to attend the next one.
But tonight she had to face the crowd without her. She walked toward Frau Geruscha and linked arms with her. I can do this. I can do this. She held her head high—she could hardly do otherwise, since her hair made her neck ache when she bent her head in any direction.
Breathing deeply, she willed herself to stay calm. She glanced at her mistress from the corner of her eye. So content and casual were her features, Frau Geruscha looked as though she were simply walking to the market to buy herbs. She must have been at least five and forty years old, but her skin was smooth, and she was a handsome woman.
As they walked slowly down the castle corridor toward the Great Hall, Rose whispered, “Frau Geruscha, I’m afraid. Promise me you won’t leave my side.”
“Be not afraid, child. All will be well.”
Rose’s heart pounded harder than ever. The blood pulsed at her temples and she took another deep breath. I can do this. I can do this.
As they approached the door of the Great Hall, she heard the band of musicians start to play another tune. Frau Geruscha patted her hand. “Just enjoy the music.”
Chapter 6
Wilhelm glanced up just in time to see Rose walk in. His jaw fell. Her hair, her dress, her face…She made everyone else in the room look pale and lifeless.
He’d better close his mouth before someone saw him staring.
Her gaze turned in his direction and he smiled to let her know he approved.
He suddenly realized that he had stopped playing in the middle of the song. He looked down and tried to concentrate on his lute. But his mind was filled with her image.
A pang of guilt stabbed him. He must stop this nonsense. It was unwise to…well, to even look at her.
He tried to concentrate on the music, but when he glanced up again, Rupert was striding from the other side of the room toward Rose. He reached her, bowed, and placed his hand over his heart. He must be asking her to dance. A knot tightened around Wilhelm’s chest.
So this is how jealousy feels.
Though on the outside Rose managed to control her trembling, her insides were quaking. The Great Hall seemed to stretch on forever. She’d never seen a room so large. The musicians played, sitting on stools near the south wall. People stood talking in small groups all around the room.
Lord Hamlin’s eyes found hers. She was a little surprised to see him with the musicians, but she forgot about that as her heart flipped at his gentle smile. At least she had one friend in the room, even if he couldn’t come and talk to her.
She observed him for a moment while his deft fingertips strummed over the lute’s strings. Watching him play comforted her, and some of her anxiety slipped away.
She pretended not to see Lord Rupert staring at her from across the room, walking toward her. He couldn’t possibly be coming to her. But when she could no longer doubt that he intended to speak to her, she turned to face him.
He bowed first to Frau Geruscha. Then he bowed to Rose, one hand over his heart. “Rose, we are honored that you have come tonight. You are the most beautiful woman here.”