The dance passed in a blur, and I barely had time to catch my breath before Madame Marineaux had a new young man to meet me—and to sign my dance card. One after another, I waltzed, polkaed, skipped les lanciers, and hopped into another galop. And one after another, my partners’ faces blurred together. . . .
Just as the first bouncing beats of a waltz began, my newest partner drew me into his arms. But then another man shoved through the crowd. He snarled something at the Frenchman, and before I could even process it all, this new young man had me in his arms.
His suit was like all the other gentlemen’s, his patent leather shoes just as gleaming, his white gloves just as crisp, yet something about the way it all came together on Daniel was a thousand times more striking. His hair was slick and combed, but a ruffle at the front meant he’d run his fingers through it anyway.
I observed it all in a flash, and a combination of delight and fear bubbled through me. Though why
I would be afraid of Daniel Sheridan, I did not know, so I let the pleasure take over, and I beamed up at him.
The music began. He shot a look to his left, his brow furrowed, then he tugged me into the waltz.
One, two, three. Step, step, step. “Empress, what the hell are you doin’ here?” His voice was low as if he did not want us overheard.
“It’s a ball, Daniel! I am dancing.” My skirts billowed out as we spun. “And I am so glad you came—you’re a lovely dancer.”
“What?” He scowled, staring at my face. “What is wrong with you, Empress?”
“Nothing!” I smiled even wider, my face hurting. Everything beyond Daniel had blurred into a myriad of colors and sound. All I cared about was this moment—Daniel’s green eyes gazing into mine and his hands guiding me over the floor. “I have never felt better in my entire life, Daniel! And oh, I’m so glad I get to dance with you. I had no idea you could waltz.”
“Why?” he spat, anger brightening his eyes. “Because I’m not a gentleman?”
“Oh, but you are a gentleman. You’re the most handsome gentleman here.”
Now his scowl eased back, replaced by confusion. Yet on we danced—step, two, three, step, two, three.
“Where’s your monocle?” I asked. “I bet it would look very jaunty on you tonight.”
“Jaunty?” he repeated.
“Yes! You look so wonderful, and I think the monocle would look lovely with your suit. So where is it?” One, two, three, step, step, step.
“With . . . with my other clothes.” His eyebrows curved down. “Joseph and I’ve been out all afternoon in search of Jie. We had to change into our suits here. . . . Eleanor, why are you smiling at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like . . . like you’re drunk. You don’t smell of alcohol, so what is this . . . this giddiness?” He whirled me past Madame Marineaux, and I gave her my brightest, happiest grin. “And,” he said, “I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
“Why wouldn’t I be here?” I laughed. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had!”
“See? That’s not normal. Not after what happened this afternoon.”
“What happened this afternoon?”
His careful step-step-step faltered. “Are you jokin’ with me?”
“I would never joke with you, Daniel—not unless you wanted me to.”
He stopped waltzing, and I spun directly into him. I grasped at his shoulders, melting into his chest. Maybe he’ll kiss me.
But he didn’t. He twisted me around and yanked me off the dance floor.
“The waltz isn’t over!” I cried.
“No, but you are. We’re done dancin’.” He pulled me roughly toward the archways leading back to the stairwell, yet before we could get to the marble steps, Madame Marineaux strode into our path.
“Monsieur Sheridan, where are you taking Mademoiselle Fitt?” Her eyes darted from my face to
Daniel’s.
“I’m takin’ her to . . . to talk.”
“You can talk here.” Madame Marineaux bared her teeth in a smile. “First you refuse to follow the rules of the dance card, and now you are stealing her from the ball.”
Daniel glared. “I wish to speak to her in private. I told you that before, but you seem to think you’re in charge of her dance partners.”
“And I told you, Monsieur, that I am her chaperone for the evening.”
“I’ll speak to her one way or another, Madame. We have personal things to discuss.”
My heart fluttered. Personal things? Love, perhaps?
“It is not appropriate,” Madame Marineaux declared, “for a young woman to wander off with a young man.” She raised her chin imperiously. “Monsieur Sheridan, please release Mademoiselle Fitt.”
Except I did not want Daniel to release me. I turned pleading eyes on Madame Marineaux. “Please, I will only be a moment. I promise.”
Madame Marineaux’s nostrils flared, and if it wasn’t for her wide grin, I would have thought she was angry with me. “I do not think that wise. I am your chaperone, after all.”
“But I know Daniel, and it will only be a moment.”
She stood taller, suddenly seeming to tower over me despite being several inches shorter.