“How do you do?” Rose said.
“Most pleased.” He bowed politely. “I’ve always been interested in the healing arts.”
“I’m afraid I’m still new to the practice. Frau Geruscha is just beginning to teach me.”
“I’m sure you already know quite a lot. But since I seem to be healthy today and have no medicinal needs, would you like to dance? I don’t think it’s too late to join.”
Rose smiled at his gracious speech.
“Oh, no, it isn’t too late.” The duchess flicked her wrist. “Go on.”
Gunther crooked his elbow and Rose took his arm. As they scurried away, Rose let out a deep breath at having escaped the duchess. Gratitude warmed her to Gunther.
The dance was the Black Almain. Gunther seemed to know it well, and his movements were smooth and graceful. Friendliness, as if absent of any ulterior motive, showed on his face. His chivalrous manner impressed Rose. She felt much more comfortable with him than with Lord Rupert.
She wondered if Hildy liked red hair. He was just the right height for Hildy too.
Lord Rupert and Anne danced several couples away, but Rose noticed out of the corner of her eye that Lord Rupert was looking at her. She ignored him and enjoyed the beauty and rhythm of the music. She wanted to glance at the musicians, but didn’t.
When the dance was over, she and Gunther moved to a vacant spot near the wall while Lord Rupert and Lady Anne remained on the dance floor. They chatted about astronomy and mathematics, of which Gunther was very knowledgeable, having studied at a monastery for two years. He had also studied illumination, and Lord Hamlin had promised him a position illustrating the texts the duke’s scribes were copying. He was polite and well-spoken, and Rose knew she had made a new friend. Perhaps this night would not be so bad after all.
She and Gunther watched Lord Rupert and Lady Anne, her bells making almost as much noise as the musicians’ instruments, dance a branle known as Toss the Duchess. The dancers formed a large circle and frequently changed partners.
Gunther asked Rose about her apprenticeship, and their conversation turned to herbs and their benefits. She didn’t notice that the dance had ended until Lord Rupert stood by her side.
“May I claim you, Rose, for the next dance?”
“Yes, of course.” Rose tried not to show her astonishment at him asking her to dance a second time, especially after his mother’s obvious disapproval.
Lord Rupert led her onto the dance floor for the Maltese Branle, a lively dance in which the dancers raised their hands high in the air and clapped three times before spinning and doubling back. She tried to forget that her partner was Duke Nicolaus’s son and just lose herself in the activity. But he continued to stare at her, unnerving her with the look in his eyes, which did strange things to her heartbeat.
When the dance ended, instead of walking away to take a break, Lord Rupert asked her to dance again. Rose agreed. She wasn’t sure if she could say no.
“Did I tell you how lovely you look this evening?” Lord Rupert’s hand rested lightly on her arm as he leaned down. His pale blue eyes sparkled in a flicker of torchlight.
“I thank you.” Rose refused to take him too seriously, remembering Frau Geruscha’s warning. She glanced away, and when she did, her eyes connected with Lord Hamlin’s where he sat with the musicians. The corners of his mouth went up in a resigned expression. Sadness shone from his eyes.
Lord Hamlin must think I’m flirting with Lord Rupert. But I’m not the one flirting—he is! Rose blushed. Perhaps he disapproved of her dancing with his brother. Or perhaps he disapproved of her for the same reason his mother did, because any relationship between them was unseemly, as his family intended him to marry an heiress.
Suddenly, she didn’t care about anything. Lord Hamlin was betrothed, the duchess was sending Lord Rupert disgusted looks, and all the young maidens at the dance were glaring at her. She would be oblivious to them all. A handsome man was paying attention to her, inviting her to dance, and she meant to enjoy it.
Rose flashed a smile at Lord Rupert as they got ready for the next dance. The music started and she recognized the Bassadanza, the slowest dance of all. Lord Rupert took Rose’s hand and they stepped forward, passing and turning to face each other. Rose met his gaze with equal boldness now as they repeatedly brushed shoulders, dancing close, rising on their toes then backing away, only to step forward again.